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The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!

Stay in Mt. Carmel Jct., the heart of the parks, and visit the treasures of the Southwest.

Mileage: Mt. Carmel Jct.
Zion Park 12 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Coyote Butte 57 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles

In these pages you will find insiders information on the best Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument hikes. This detailed guide includes road maps, park maps, pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna, campgrounds, things for kids to do and even information on the Grand Staircase hidden treasures.

Grand Staircase Map
Grand Staircase Road Map

From Salt Lake City, travel south on I15 to U-20. Exit on U-20. Turn south on U-89 and follow U-89 to Glendale.

From Las Vegas: Travel I15 to exit 16. Follow U-9 to the south entrance of Zion and through to the east entrance. Take U-9 for 12 miles to Mt. Carmel Jct, where U-89 and U-9 meet. Drive north on U-89 to Glendale.

From Glendale, turn right on 300 N. (Bench Road) Follow the graded dirt road, Skutumpah, into the Grand Staircase. Remember the Grand Staircase is a wild and remote place. The dirt roads may be impassible when wet and there is usually no water, services or cell phone access. Skutumpah is a backway and should only be traveled in dry conditions. Call for road and weather information before travel: 435.644.4680

Wahweap Hoodoos. Just a bit of the beauty of the Grand Staircase National Monument. This primitive land is now protected for our children and their children. The area is one big research site under guidance of the BLM.

Grand Staircase Landmarks

The Grand Staircase is named for the five stairsteps from the Grand Canyon in Arizona, rising up to the top riser in Bryce Canyon. Each step or mesa is identified by a different rock strata. The steps of the Grand Staircase can be seen from Northern Arizona. When driving on US 89A, about halfway between Jacob Lake and Fredonia, the steps are seen at a distance. A good view of this is LaFevere overlook.

Cottonwood Canyon Road: Although the entire Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is in Southern Utah, the Cottonwood Canyon Road is close to the border of Arizona, near the Utah town of Big Water. The turn-off to Cottonwood Canyon Road is located on Highway 89, by mile post 18, between Kanab and Big Water. The dirt and gravel road is 46 miles long and runs along the Cockscomb. The Cockscomb divides the Grand Staircase and Kaiparowits Plateau regions.

Cottonwood Canyon - This is a little slot canyon located along Cottonwood Road. It's close to the road, but easy to miss. Set your odometer after turning off Highway 89. Its about 25 miles. It's also about 4 miles south of the turn-off to Grosvenor Arch.

Starlight Arch - Starlight Arch is located west of the Paria Movie Set. There is no established trail to the arch, but it can be accessed by hiking up the Paria River.

Paria Movie Set - The old buildings were located 5 miles northeast of highway 89. The set was constructed in the 1960s and made famous by John Wayne, Gregory Peck and Clint Eastwood. Sadly the Paria Movie Set was vandalized and burned down late in 2006.

Grosvenor Arch - This magnificent double arch is 30 miles from the turn off from highway 89 and 19 miles from Cannonville. Take the Cottonwood Canyon road to find the arch.

Slot Canyons - Willis Creek, Lick Wash and Bull Valley Gorge are magnificent slot canyons located in the Grand Staircase. Take Skutumpah Road to find all three slot canyons.

Wahweap Hoodoos - These delicate, towering white pillars seem as if they may wash away with the next storm. The hike to the hoodoos begins in the small town of Big Water, Utah.

Paria means "muddy water" in the Paiute language.

Scenic roads in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument are in the state of Utah.

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Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

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Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument - UTAH!

But the eastern and northeastern view is one which the beholder will not easily forget. It is the great amphitheater of the Paria . . . . An almost semicircular area, with a chord 30 miles in length, has been excavated into a valley by numberless creeks and brooks, which unite into one stream named the Paria. -- Clarence Dutton Photo: Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument © Photography by Tanya

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