Grand Staircase-Escalante GPS-Guided Audio Driving Tour

The Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is a United States national monument originally designated in 1996 as 1,880,461 acres of protected land in southern Utah. In 2017, the monument's size was reduced by half in a succeeding presidential proclamation. NOTE: This 125-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Grand Staircase in 3 hours.

Your tour through Grand Staircase-Escalante begins just west of the national monument, right off Route 89. From here, you'll head toward the monument itself, where you'll find stunning vistas, unbelievable rock formations, and a whole bunch of hidden geologic history.

The Red Canyon's Arches welcome you to the staircase in style. These arches get their distinctive color from the high iron content in the combination of sandstone and volcanic rock that formed them. They aren't natural, although they may look it, but that doesn't take away from how striking they are!

Before you fully enter the Grand Staircase National Monument, you'll have an opportunity to detour to Bryce Canyon National Park. The two are right next to one another, so don't worry about missing out on one or the other. You'll almost certainly have time to see both!

At Powell Point Vista, you'll get your first great vista of this incredible landscape. You'll also get familiar with explorer John Powell and his expedition into this region. That journey, fraught with disaster, proved crucial in mapping the American west.

The Escalante Petrified Forest is a truly remarkable phenomenon. Long ago, this was an ordinary forest. But the trees have long since been petrified and turned completely to stone. Today, these ancient, multi-colored remnants of the forest offer clues to the distant past.

The Escalante Interagency Visitor Center offers all sorts of information for enjoying and exploring the Monument and surrounding areas. It's also a great place to grab a snack or refill your water bottle before continuing your trip.

Spooky Gulch is particularly narrow and winding, and if you’re able to make the squeeze, hiking through the gulch can be quite the experience. You won’t need any special hiking gear or experience-- just an extra hour to drive there and another hour or two to explore.

Kiva Koffeehouse isn't just a great place to grab caffeine to keep your journey going. It also boasts a patio featuring phenomenal views of the Escalante River. If you're looking for a place to take a break, this is an excellent option.

Calf Creek Vista offers more panoramic views of the harsh, beautiful desert landscape which defines the Staircase. Don't forget to snap a few photos while you're here!

Your route will take you along the famous Hogback, probably the most unforgettable part of the entire monument. This winding stretch of road is full of sharp curves, steep drops, and spectacular views on either side. Drive carefully, and make sure to admire the sights along the way!

If you'd like to hike to a perennial waterfall, you'll have the chance to take a quick detour to the Upper Calf Creek Falls Trail. This moderate, 2-mile trek ends with a beautiful 88-foot waterfall tumbling down a dramatic cliff. It's a little sandy and rocky at points, so make sure to wear good boots if you plan to make the trip.

The town of Boulder is one of the most isolated communities you're ever likely to see. With a population of just over 200, this town isn't exactly a bustling hub. In fact, it didn't even have electricity until 1947! Many of the residents here are descendants of the first pioneers to settle in the area.

Burr Trail Road dates back to the pioneer days. More specifically, the days of pioneer John Burr. Burr created this road to lead his cattle from his ranch to the market about 70 miles away. The road remains rugged and wild--perfect for modern adventurers.

As you drive, you'll pass through Dixie National Forest, home to some of the oldest evidence of human activity in the entire region. Anthropologists have reason to believe humans lived here as far back as the Ice Age! Besides the history, of course, it also makes for a beautiful change of scenery.

Heritage Overlook offers keen-eyed observers a look at Glen Canyon, far to the southeast. At over 9,000 feet above sea level, you'll be able to see much farther than you're used to up here!

Homestead Overlook affords a panoramic view of the whole landscape of Dixie Forest and the Grand Staircase stretching out beneath you. Continuing beyond it, you'll also hear about forest fires in the area and how they factor into the lifecycle of the earth's oldest trees.

Larb Hollow Overlook is the last viewpoint on you tour, so be sure to make it count! The land stretches on for miles beneath this overlook, making it perfect for photos or simply for taking in the majesty of this one-of-a-kind place. You'll also pick up some facts about how wind, rain, and erosion created such a striking landscape.

At the end of your Grand Staircase-Escalante tour, you'll find yourself right near the entrance to Capitol Reef National Park. One of Utah's "Mighty Five" national parks, Capitol Reef is something you can't miss if you're in the area. Boasting rich history, dramatic desert scenery, and even a seemingly impossible orchard, this park really has something for everyone.