Day Hikes:
Lower Calf Creek Falls - Half day hike on well maintained trails.
This is a easy self guided hike which ends at a spectacular 126 foot waterfall and pool, an awsome way to cool down after the trek in. The hike is approximately 3 miles in each way, 6 miles overall. The trail is mostly flat in sanMake sure you pick up the self guided brochure at the trail head as there are numbered posts that identify points of interest. The trail head is located in Calf Creek Campground, there is a day use fee.
Upper Calf Creek Falls - Half day hike with fewer people
This is a moderate hike with great views and a rewarding destination. The trail head is located at the south end of the Hogsback on Highway 12 and drops off the west side, descending into the creek below. From Escalante take Highway 12 22.4 miles east to an unmarked side road on your left, located between mile markers 81 and 82. The short dirt road leads west to a parking area and trail head register. From the parking area head down the well cairned trail which begins on a relatively steep slickrock. About 30 minutes from the car, near the bottom of the canyon the trail splits. Make sure you take both routes as one goes to the bottom of the 88 foot falls and the other leads to above the falls and some pools.
Phipps Arch - This is a moderate-strenuous 8 mile hike (4-6 hours)
This hike has a lot of sand and crosses the Escalante River, bugs can be a problem in late spring. Phipps Arch has a nearly 85 foot span and is a popular hike in the Escalante area. The hike starts at the Highway 12 Bridge trail head, follow the river downstream using the easy to follow trail. After about a mile you will encounter the first drainage that comes in from the West (on your right), this is Phipps Wash. Follow the trail up Phipps wash to a the second side drainage on your left. Follow a well cairned trail that leads up the east side of this drainage. Follow the trail up and out of the canyon onto a bench, Phipps Arch is located on the top bench. Retracing your route as you return look for a trail going up the first major drainage that comes in from the North (on your left). Follow this trail about a mile up to Maverick Natural Bridge.
Escalante River - Can be done as an in and out day hike or overnight trip from end to end
The Escalante River from Escalante to the Highway 12 Bridge is a great place to explore with Arches, Bridges, and Petroglyphs. The West end of the river gorge is less sparse and has a lower water flow making the multiple crossings easier. The East end is more lush due to the increased water flow. From the Highway 12 Bridge you will encounter the Escalante Natural Bridge about 2 miles in and an arch about 2.5 miles in, both on the south side of the canyon.
Death Hollow (The Box) - Awesome hike during the heat of the summer.
We recommend a shuttle for this hike, you can park your car at the lower trail head and be shuttled to the upper trail head. To reach the trail head turn North on 300 East in Escalante City and travel North past the Elementry school. Continue following the road north to a Y in the road where you will stay to the right. Continue on this road approximately 7 miles to the lower trail head (signs designate the parking). To reach the upper trail head continue on Forest Road 153 (same road you have been traveling) approximately 18.5 miles to the marked upper trail head.From the trail head head south towards the Escalante River. Some awesome views, wading through pools, and poison ivy. There is year round water in the canyon so you will have multiple water crossings. The entire canyon can be done as a long day hike or overnight leisurely overnight back-pack trip.
Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons - Two unique slot canyons, bring your camera and enjoy their beauty
This is a longer hike to two short slot canyons which takes 3-6 hours to complete. The trail head is 8 miles south on Hole in the Rock Road, just past a cattle guard. The parking is on the west side of the road. After parking cross the road to a well worn trail on the north side of the road. Follow the trail north until you reach the bottom of the hollow, at the bottom the trail goes left and directly towards Zebra which is the first obvious side canyon. To reach Tunnel Slot return down the wash and take the first side canyon on the left, which can be dry or a deep pool.
Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons - Escalante's famous slot canyons, a must see for visitors
Some say these canyons were named by Escalante school children visiting the Slot Canyons around Halloween one year. Hikers will enjoy working through these slot canyons. To reach the trail head follow Hole in the Rock Road South about 26 miles to Dry Fork Gulch. Follow the road to a junction where you go left on road 252, continue another half mile to the end of the road. Once you reach the trail head follow the marked trail north down into Dry Fork. At the bottom turn right and find Peekaboo about four minutes down the wash. Continuing down the wash you will locate Spooky on the left. There is a well cairned trail which connects Peekaboo and Spooky at their tops.
Lower Calf Creek Falls - Half day hike on well maintained trails.
This is a easy self guided hike which ends at a spectacular 126 foot waterfall and pool, an awsome way to cool down after the trek in. The hike is approximately 3 miles in each way, 6 miles overall. The trail is mostly flat in sanMake sure you pick up the self guided brochure at the trail head as there are numbered posts that identify points of interest. The trail head is located in Calf Creek Campground, there is a day use fee.
Upper Calf Creek Falls - Half day hike with fewer people
This is a moderate hike with great views and a rewarding destination. The trail head is located at the south end of the Hogsback on Highway 12 and drops off the west side, descending into the creek below. From Escalante take Highway 12 22.4 miles east to an unmarked side road on your left, located between mile markers 81 and 82. The short dirt road leads west to a parking area and trail head register. From the parking area head down the well cairned trail which begins on a relatively steep slickrock. About 30 minutes from the car, near the bottom of the canyon the trail splits. Make sure you take both routes as one goes to the bottom of the 88 foot falls and the other leads to above the falls and some pools.
Phipps Arch - This is a moderate-strenuous 8 mile hike (4-6 hours)
This hike has a lot of sand and crosses the Escalante River, bugs can be a problem in late spring. Phipps Arch has a nearly 85 foot span and is a popular hike in the Escalante area. The hike starts at the Highway 12 Bridge trail head, follow the river downstream using the easy to follow trail. After about a mile you will encounter the first drainage that comes in from the West (on your right), this is Phipps Wash. Follow the trail up Phipps wash to a the second side drainage on your left. Follow a well cairned trail that leads up the east side of this drainage. Follow the trail up and out of the canyon onto a bench, Phipps Arch is located on the top bench. Retracing your route as you return look for a trail going up the first major drainage that comes in from the North (on your left). Follow this trail about a mile up to Maverick Natural Bridge.
Escalante River - Can be done as an in and out day hike or overnight trip from end to end
The Escalante River from Escalante to the Highway 12 Bridge is a great place to explore with Arches, Bridges, and Petroglyphs. The West end of the river gorge is less sparse and has a lower water flow making the multiple crossings easier. The East end is more lush due to the increased water flow. From the Highway 12 Bridge you will encounter the Escalante Natural Bridge about 2 miles in and an arch about 2.5 miles in, both on the south side of the canyon.
Death Hollow (The Box) - Awesome hike during the heat of the summer.
We recommend a shuttle for this hike, you can park your car at the lower trail head and be shuttled to the upper trail head. To reach the trail head turn North on 300 East in Escalante City and travel North past the Elementry school. Continue following the road north to a Y in the road where you will stay to the right. Continue on this road approximately 7 miles to the lower trail head (signs designate the parking). To reach the upper trail head continue on Forest Road 153 (same road you have been traveling) approximately 18.5 miles to the marked upper trail head.From the trail head head south towards the Escalante River. Some awesome views, wading through pools, and poison ivy. There is year round water in the canyon so you will have multiple water crossings. The entire canyon can be done as a long day hike or overnight leisurely overnight back-pack trip.
Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons - Two unique slot canyons, bring your camera and enjoy their beauty
This is a longer hike to two short slot canyons which takes 3-6 hours to complete. The trail head is 8 miles south on Hole in the Rock Road, just past a cattle guard. The parking is on the west side of the road. After parking cross the road to a well worn trail on the north side of the road. Follow the trail north until you reach the bottom of the hollow, at the bottom the trail goes left and directly towards Zebra which is the first obvious side canyon. To reach Tunnel Slot return down the wash and take the first side canyon on the left, which can be dry or a deep pool.
Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons - Escalante's famous slot canyons, a must see for visitors
Some say these canyons were named by Escalante school children visiting the Slot Canyons around Halloween one year. Hikers will enjoy working through these slot canyons. To reach the trail head follow Hole in the Rock Road South about 26 miles to Dry Fork Gulch. Follow the road to a junction where you go left on road 252, continue another half mile to the end of the road. Once you reach the trail head follow the marked trail north down into Dry Fork. At the bottom turn right and find Peekaboo about four minutes down the wash. Continuing down the wash you will locate Spooky on the left. There is a well cairned trail which connects Peekaboo and Spooky at their tops.