Escalante: History and Canyon Experiences

Escalante is a small ranching town on Scenic Byway 12 in Utah that combines a clearly defined history with impressive landscapes. Those planning a trip that includes historic traces, desert scenery, and active days will find a range of options for organizing their own itinerary. Escalante itself can be an appealing base if you want to explore historic sites, learn about the surrounding landscapes, or include hiking and cycling routes in your plans.

Discover Historic Escalante

The community of Escalante was permanently settled in 1875. An important point of reference for the town’s history is the Escalante Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. Escalante has 124 historic homes that contribute to the district and illustrate the town’s architectural development. A walking tour guide for the Escalante Historic District is available on the city’s official website. This allows you to structure your exploration around the historic character of the town.

The Escalante Heritage Center is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the Hole-in-the-Rock Trek and the settlement of Escalante and Boulder. The first exploration reports on the Hole-in-the-Rock route are also part of the town’s history: The three residents Charles Hall, Andrew P. Schow, and Reuben Collett prepared these early reports. For travelers who want to include culture and regional history in their vacation, this creates a distinct focus beyond purely scenic experiences.

Geology, Protected Areas, and Trails

The Escalante Interagency Visitor Center provides information about the local geology and the ecosystem of the nearly one-million-acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. You can also obtain information there about exploring the Dixie National Forest and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The Escalante Subdistrict of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area offers opportunities for backcountry hiking and camping. Free permits for backcountry hikes are available from the BLM or NPS office in Escalante; alternatively, they can be completed at the registration boxes at the trailheads.

A notable option for planning your day is the Escalante River Canyon Trail. It begins at a trailhead in Escalante and runs 15 miles one way to the Highway 12 bridge. The Escalante River Canyon is characterized by broad, high rock walls marked by desert patina and interspersed with wildflowers and vegetation. If you want to include a longer hike in your trip, you should take this distance into account when putting together your itinerary.

Cycling Tour or Scenic Experience by the Water

Escalante also provides a specific starting point for a cycling trip. From here, a 27-mile one-way cycling adventure begins along Scenic Byway 12. The section in question is 54 miles round trip, or 27 miles one way, and includes approximately 4,000 feet of elevation gain. This approximate elevation change and the route length provide important points of reference when choosing your accommodation based on your preferred travel pace and planned activities. Numerous roadside parking spaces are available along Highway 12 in Escalante and at the BLM Visitor Center on the western side of town.

For a different excursion, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is located at Wide Hollow Reservoir just outside Escalante City. The park adds another scenic focus to the historic and canyon-related experiences. You can therefore organize your days in different ways—for example, with a historic walking tour, information at the Visitor Center, a longer hike, or an outing to the reservoir.

A Suitable Accommodation for Your Trip Planning

When looking for a vacation apartment or vacation home in Escalante, it is worth first determining your own priorities. Those primarily interested in exploring the Historic District and Heritage Center will plan differently from travelers considering a longer canyon hike, a cycling tour on Scenic Byway 12, or an excursion to Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. When selecting a specific accommodation, therefore, check the stated location in Escalante and coordinate it with your personal itinerary. For orientation when comparing other options, you can also research the following destinations: Cannonville, Tropic, Ticaboo, Boulder, Henrieville, Bryce Canyon, Panguitch and Hatch.

For the broader trip overview: Garfield.