Escalante

Escalante is a place that the passage of time has shaped. Water and wind have shaped this area over thousands of years, whittling the colored sandstone into the magnificent Grand Staircase, a series of plateaus that rise up over the landscape like, you guessed it, a staircase. Some of them have been eroded by the water, creating slot canyons, which are small gorges carved out of the rock by pressure, time, and water. Escalante has developed into the ideal launching point for exploration of this incredible area.

It offers every type of lodging imaginable, including some very nice yurts, as well as a slew of shops and eateries that line the main road and serve some of the best food this side of the mountains. This might be the most intriguing slot canyon in Utah, if you're looking for one. The 5.3-mile, out-and-back trail has a moderate difficulty rating. The canyon frequently has water in it, so be prepared to wade through it. Check the weather forecast to avoid flash floods. While you're there, keep going to Tunnel Slots. Eight miles down Hole-In-The-Rock Road, you'll find the trailhead. The Petrified Forest Nature Trail is located in Escalante's Petrified Forest State Park. The 1.9-mile loop trail is rated as moderate due to its elevation change of 492 feet. You'll pass by remnants of the petrified forest and beautiful scenery along the way. The Rainbow Loop hike can be extended by.75 miles to see even more petrified wood. Get a guide and informational pamphlet at the visitor center.