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Highlights Of Grand Staircase Escalante Scenic Drives, Utah

people looking out at mountains

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It may have one of the most confusing names to remember the order of (and spell, that hyphen gets me every time), but Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a vast and rugged landscape that beckons adventure, and will imprint memories to last forever!

One of the best ways to experience this canyon-clad region is to go on Grand Staircase-Escalante scenic drives, which passes several family-friendly hiking trails, hidden waterfalls, magnificent viewpoints, undulating waves of colorful rocks and slot canyons, and endless rainbow colored valleys.

Burr Trail

A scenic drive through Grand Staircase Escalante combines several smaller scenic drives, including the iconic All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12, which runs through the monument, as well as the more rugged Burr Trail.

If you’re thinking of driving through Grand Staircase Escalante and not sure what to see along the way, here are the highlights of our scenic drive, and a few hidden surprises, too!

Where is Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument?

truck pullin grv on mountain road
Driving scenic Highway 12

But first, you might be unsure about where the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is, since it covers an area of 7,600 square kilometers!

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is located in Southern Utah and bordered by Bryce Canyon National Park to the northwest, Glen Canyon National Recreation area to the east, and Capitol Reef National Park to the northeast. 

Many visitors drive through it quickly thinking it only encompasses a scenic drive, eager to get to the big 5 national parks in Utah on either side of it.

Don’t make the same hurried mistake as you’ll find just as much to be in awe of in this region as those other national parks. In fact, It’s double the combined land of Utah’s five national parks!

What is Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Burr road scenic drive Escalante Monument
Beautiful views all round

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is 1.87 million acres of canyons, cliffs and rugged landscapes offering an abundance of adventures like hiking, off-roading, camping, and scenic drives.

Intrepid travelers will love to know that much of the sweeping Grand Staircase region is quite remote. Very few trailheads can be reached on paved roads.

Be sure to plan for those off-the-beaten path experiences well. Carry plenty of water…

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