You’ve seen all the photos of southern Utah’s arches, natural bridges, and canyons, and you want an up-close look. Am I right? Well, I’ve got some hikes for you, and they’re all doable in a half-day or less.
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) encompasses 1.9 million acres in southeast Utah and includes some of the most iconic formations in all of canyon country. If you want to experience this world-famous landscape without hiking all day in difficult terrain, check out these easy Escalante day hikes.
Lower Calf Creek Falls
If you’ve ever looked at a Utah guidebook, you’ve no doubt seen a picture of this waterfall. Lower Calf Creek Falls plunges 125 feet down lichen-covered sandstone into a scenic pool. Some might argue with me about whether this is an “easy” hike, due to its length (6 miles round-trip). But the trail to the falls is not technically difficult. It’s just that some sections of loose sand can make it seem longer and more difficult than it is. Don’t set out on this hike in the summer without enough water, or you will regret it (ask me how I know). Several short paths lead from the main trail to the creek where you can cool off, but that’s no substitute for having enough water with you.
Much of the trail runs actually parallel to Hwy 12, so you can stop at several pullouts and get a glimpse of the trail from up high. And in case you’re wondering why it’s called Lower Calf Creek Falls, yes there is an Upper Falls. But it starts from a different trailhead and is not nearly as dramatic as the Lower Falls. Be sure and pick up a trail guide at the start of the hike, which will indicate points of interest along the way. Note that there is a day use fee to park at Calf Creek Recreation Area (currently $5.00).
Trailhead location: Calf Creek Recreation Area off Hwy 12, 15 miles east of Escalante
Hiking distance: 6 miles (out and back)
Devils Garden
Not to be confused with the Devils Garden in Arches National Park, this Devils Garden near Escalante is an easy jaunt among rock formations of all shapes and sizes. Here, erosion has molded the Entrada Sandstone formation into an enchanted playground of spires, arches, and hoodoos. As you walk through the maze of rock spires, you’ll eventually stumble upon Metate Arch, the flagship feature of the Devils Garden. This uniquely shaped caprock arch was created when adjacent layers of rock eroded at different rates. Not far from Metate is its companion, Mano Arch (a mano is the round stone used to grind corn inside the metate).
I love to come here at sunset, when the low angle of the sun makes the hoodoos glow against the blue sky. Kids absolutely love this place, so if you have little ones be prepared to drag them out kicking and screaming when you leave. Getting to Devils Garden requires driving 12 miles down Hole-in-the-Rock Road, which is unpaved but usually doable in a regular vehicle. You might have a bumpy ride, though, depending on when the road was last graded.
Trailhead location: 12 miles down Hole-in-the-Rock Road (unpaved), 18 miles from Escalante
Hiking distance: Wander as far as you like
Upper Escalante River Trail
The entire Escalante River Trail (both upper and lower) covers 85 miles from the town of Escalante to Lake Powell. But you don’t have to hike anywhere near that distance to see a portion of this scenic canyon. An easy day hike will take you to the massive Escalante Natural Bridge, which towers 130 feet above the river. The trail involves fording the Escalante River five times, and on a hot summer day this is one of my favorite Escalante day hikes. (Note that the river crossings can be hazardous during times of high flows.) The canyon is also the site of the infamous shooting that happened in the late 1800s.
If you’re up for a longer adventure than hiking to the natural bridge, the Upper Escalante Canyon runs for 13 miles from the town of Escalante to Hwy 12. You can hike the upper canyon in one long day as a shuttle trip, or you can do an overnight backpack trip and enjoy a more leisurely pace. Be aware that the parking area for this hike is very small and often full.
Trailhead location: Off Utah Highway 12, 13 miles east of Escalante
Hiking distance: 4 miles (out and back) to natural bridge
Grosvenor Arch
This is one of my favorite arches in all of the Southwest, and there’s no park entrance fee required to see it. Standing like a grand sandstone cathedral in the middle of the desert, Grosvenor Arch is a testament to the dramatic power of erosion. At 152 feet high, the formation is a prime example of a geologically rare double arch—a pair of arches that share the same rock base on one side.
It’s really not accurate to call this a hike, as it’s just a short stroll from your car. However, getting to the parking area does require driving about 10 miles on unpaved road. It always makes me laugh to see the paved sidewalk to the arch after driving on a dirt road to get there. Depending on weather conditions, the route is typically suitable for most vehicles if you drive slowly. Most people snap a few photos and get back in their car. But the arch looks different from every angle, so spend some time here walking around and looking at the arch from all sides. Check the BLM road condition report (for Cottonwood) before you go.
Trailhead location: 17 miles from Cannonville, off Cottonwood Canyon Road (unpaved)
Hiking distance: 100 yards from parking area to base of arch
Images and text ©Laurie J. Schmidt, All Rights Reserved
