Overview
Sun 52 | 26 |
Mon 41 | 21 |
Tue 43 | 13 |
Wed 46 | 19 |
Thu 48 | 22 |
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Sun 52 | 26 |
Mon 41 | 21 |
Tue 43 | 13 |
Wed 46 | 19 |
Thu 48 | 22 |
View Full Weather Details |
Escalante is a beautiful section of Utah's red rock country. The region is vast, and diverse. Boasting tight slots, deep flowing canyons, and grand views, this is a place that would take more than a lifetime to see in its entirety.
The Escalante town proper can outfit most needs. Be sure when venturing far from pavement that you have plenty of food, water, and gas. Help is often a long ways away in these parts.
Season To Visit
Due to its diversity, you can visit anytime of year. In the heat of the summer, the Escalante river, or Coyote Gulch make great refuges from the sun. In the winter, there is a lot of exploring to be done starting from the paved roads. Spring and fall are idyllic, although with fall often comes the monsoon season where flashflood danger is highest in canyons.
Camping
Escalante has some of the best dispersed camping in southern Utah. Most of the area is BLM with few regulations. Though very unregulated, please try and re-use existing camp spots and always practice minimum impact camping. If campground camping is more your style, I can't recommend the Calf Creek Falls campground enough. Along the Escalante river and areas with springs, bugs can be an absolute menace is spring and summer. Bring bug spray.
Escalante Classics
There are many classics. For the casual tourist, I recommend Devil's Garden, Upper Calf Creek Falls, or simply hiking up or down the Escalante river starting at the highway 12 bridge perhaps to Escalante Natural Bridge. Peekaboo-Spooky-Brimstone are not to be missed if looking for tight non-technical slots.
For those looking for longer, or more technical challenges, Neon Canyon tops my list for the area. Beware Escalante also boasts some very difficult X-rated slots. Make sure you have good information and you are in the right place before committing to a canyon!
Backpackers will likely adore Coyote Gulch. The Boulder Mail Trail is one of my favorite backpacks with varied terrain and outstanding views.