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Escalante, Utah

Escalante Utah
Escalante, Utah  
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Centrally located along Scenic Byway 12, Escalante is a great place to stay when exploring Bryce Canyon Country. Escalante is surrounded by some of the most rugged and diverse scenery in the west, and is the headquarters to the 1.9-million acre Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. With the Dixie National Forest to the north and Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Lake Powell just a short drive away, Escalante is ideally located to experience all the region has to offer. 
Click here to connect to the Escalante community site.

History
Escalante was named for Franciscan missionary Silvestre Velez de Escalante, whopassed through the region in 1776 during an expedition from Santa Fe, NM to Monterey, CA. The remote community was settled in 1876 by Mormon pioneers from nearby Panguitch. They designed the town on a grid system, dividing the land into equitable five-acre blocks. Each family in this farming and ranching community was also provided with 20 acres of farmland outside of town. Today, this charming town of 800, called 'Escalant' by locals, is home to a diverse population of ranchers, farmers, artists and outdoor enthusiasts.

Hidden Falls in EscalanteArea Attractions and Activities
There's no shortage of things to do in and around Escalante, from hiking, biking and horseback riding in the spectacular canyons and backcountry, to visiting rustic pioneer homes, unique shops and galleries. If you are planning an outdoor adventure, be sure to visit the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center (435-826-5499) on West Main Street for maps and detailed information about the area's canyons, deserts, and backcountry. Summers can be hot and bring the threat of flash flooding so prepare accordingly. Fall and spring are the best times to hike in and around Escalante.

In Escalante:
  • Walk through Escalante's history with a tour of 95 pioneer homes and barns.
  • Shop and browse the art and antique gallery, and the gift and rock shops.
    You'll find fine art, textiles, pottery, photography, American Indian jewelry and rugs, cowboy art, petrified wood, sculptured furniture, Native American flutes and hand-crafted drums, mountain man and native crafts. Visit the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum.
  • Take a surrey ride through town.
  • Horseback ride or visit a working cattle ranch. 
  • Attend the Escalante Canyons Art Festival in October.



Nearby attractions:

  • Visit Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, located just 1.5 miles from Escalante. Discover dinosaur bones and mineralized wood relics, fish or swim in the 130-acre Wide Hollow Reservoir, or go off-roading in the lands around the park.
  • Explore the rugged backcountry and canyons of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (BLM Resource Area 435-826-4291). Drive the unpaved Cottonwood Canyon Road to Grosvenor Arch. Mountain bike or ATV ride along the unpaved trails. Hike Willis Creek, Round Valley Draw or the Bull Valley Gorge. 
  • Drive Scenic Byway 12 to Bryce Canyon National Park.
  • Enjoy a cool mountain getaway, and hike or fish at Posey Lake or Barker Reservoir.
  • Plan a pack trip, jeep tour or guided hike into the canyons
  • Drive the unpaved Hell's Backbone Road (a spur road off Scenic Byway 12) and cross the unique bridge—a journey not for the faint of heart. 
  • Retrace the route of the Hole-in-the-Rock expedition. Picnic at Devil's Garden along the way. 
  • Hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, where you'll find great fishing, too.
Escalante LakeServices and Amenities
Escalante offers year-round services including lodging, camping, restaurants, fast food, groceries, shopping, gasoline, car care and repair, churches, a bank, post office and a laundromat. The Escalante Interagency Visitor Center provides information for the BLM, Forest Service and National Parks. The Bryce Canyon Airport, located near Bryce Canyon National Park, provides charter and private plane services and aerial tours. 
  • Shop and browse the art and antique gallery and the gift and rock shops. You'll find fine art, textiles, pottery, photography, American Indian jewelry and rugs, cowboy art, petrified wood, sculptured furniture, Native American flutes and hand-crafted drums, mountain man and native crafts.
  • Visit the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum.
  • Walk through Escalante's history on a tour of 95 pioneer homes and barns. Ask for a free brochure.
  • Take a surrey ride through town.
  • Explore the new Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. (BLM Resource Area 435-826-4291).
  • Visit the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center for maps and information on area forests, canyons, and deserts. (435-826-5499).
  • Horseback ride or visit a working cattle ranch.
  • Hike Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Fish or swim at Wide Hollow Reservoir. (435-826-4466).
  • Plan a pack trip, jeep tour or guided hike into the canyons.
  • Enjoy a cool mountain getaway, and hike or fish at Posey Lake or Barker Reservoir.
  • Drive the unpaved Hell's Backbone Road and cross the unique bridge (not for the faint of heart).
  • Retrace the route of the Hole-In-The-Rock Expedition. Stop and picnic at DevilÕs Rock Garden.
  • Hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls. There's great fishing, too!
Services
  • All services available year round
  • Motels, bed & breakfast, RV parks
  • Restaurants, fast food, groceries, liquor store
  • Shopping
  • Airport
  • Gasoline, automobile repairs, towing services, car wash
  • Visitor information, DUP Museum, limited medical services, churches, bank, post office, laundromat
  • Interagency Office (BLM, Forest Service, Nat'l Parks)
  • Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, city park
Ask a Question:
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