Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Escalante: Dry Fork, Peekaboo & Spooky Slot Canyon Tour

1. From Escalante: Dry Fork, Peekaboo & Spooky Slot Canyon Tour

Drive in 4x4 vehicle 45 minutes to an hour on a dirt road to Dry Fork trail head. 3 mile (4.8 km) total loop hike through Dry Fork, Peek-a-boo and Spooky slot canyons. Note: Spooky is very very narrow and not all people can fit through it and it can be skipped if needed. Peekaboo Canyon: The slot canyon is most famous because of the last 100 meters, before the junction with Dry Fork of Coyote Gulch - here the ravine cuts deeper into the sandstone, with a series of interlinked potholes, extravagant swirls and fins of rock, and several arches; these different openings and the many corners and crevices account for the curious name of this canyon. Spooky Slot Canyon: Only 10 inches wide at some points, Spooky is appropriately named. It is possible to travel almost halfway through before the first of two climbs, so go ahead and squeeze through as far as you dare. We will meet in front of Canyon Country Lodge in Escalante. There is plenty of parking there.

From Escalante: Zebra Slot Canyon Guided Tour and Hike

2. From Escalante: Zebra Slot Canyon Guided Tour and Hike

Named after the vivid stripes that line its walls, Zebra Slot Canyon in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is perhaps the most unique canyon in Southern Utah. To reach the stunning canyon requires an 8-mile drive down a dirt road, a 5-mile round trip hike and a challenging climb through very narrow canyon walls. Even though the Zebra Slot Canyon itself is only about a quarter-mile long, the long journey to reach it is completely worth the effort. You'll be grateful to have a guide to take you on this journey. We will meet in front of Canyon Country Lodge in Escalante. There is plenty of parking there.

Orderville: East Zion National Park Sunset Zion Jeep Tour

3. Orderville: East Zion National Park Sunset Zion Jeep Tour

Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Zion National Park from the highest point on a Sunset Jeep Tour. Enjoy a mild yet captivating trail with unparalleled views and indulge in a treat box in your own Adirondack chair as you soak up the sunset. Meet your guide at the Adventure Center at Zion Ponderosa and spend the next 1.5 hours climbing up the mountains. Be amazed by the panoramic vistas that unfold before your eyes as you climb to over 8,100 feet in elevation. Take in breathtaking views of Zion National Park, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Cedar Breaks, the Grand Staircase, and more. The rugged beauty of these natural wonders will leave you in awe as you soak in the magnificence of the surrounding landscape. Upon reaching the pinnacle, have the opportunity to relax and indulge in the splendor of the setting sun. Take a seat in your own comfortable Adirondack chair and savor the moment as the sun dips behind the towering cliffs of Zion. Elevate your experience with a treat box filled with delightful surprises and fully immerse yourself in the tranquility of the surroundings while indulging your taste buds. As the colors of the sky transform and the daylight fades into night, make your leisurely descent back down the mountain. Climb back into the Jeep and enjoy the ride, relishing the fading daylight and the peaceful ambiance that surrounds you.

From Kanab: 3-Hour Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon Hiking Tour

4. From Kanab: 3-Hour Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon Hiking Tour

This hiking tour will show you the essentials of the Peek-a-Boo Canyon in a short timeframe—perfect for photography/Instagram lovers. Discover some of the most famous sights of the area and marvel at this amazing natural rock formation. Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon located just 10 miles outside of Kanab, Utah in the the Grand Staircase-Escalate area. After pickup from Kanab, enjoy a scenic 40 minutes drive to the canyon. This canyon is less crowded then other popular sites of Utah and Arizona and will give you a chance to explore, relax and enjoy some truly spectacular scenery. Catch the golden light around 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM to take the best photos of the canyon.

From Kanab: Grand Staircase-Escalante Drive & Hike Tour

5. From Kanab: Grand Staircase-Escalante Drive & Hike Tour

Enjoy a family-friendly trip through Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument with an experienced guide. This tour is the perfect choice if you want to see spectacular landscapes and keep hiking to a minimum. Most of the scenery inside Grand Staircase-Escalante will be seen from and near the vehicle. Travel on favored Cottonwood Canyon Road and see the highlights such as Grosvenor Arch and Hackberry Canyon and then take a short and easy hike through the Cottonwood Wash Narrows, located in the Paria River basin below the Bryce Canyon National Park cliffs. Enjoy the views during this easy 3.2 mile-long hike. Marvel at the variety of different rock formations and colors unique to Southern Utah.

Utah: Grand Staircase-Escalante Self-Guided Driving Tour

6. Utah: Grand Staircase-Escalante Self-Guided Driving Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: This 125-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Grand Staircase in 3 hours. Explore the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on a self-guided tour. Follow the app's directions and learn about the area's history, geology, flora, fauna, and tribal legends. Download the app and start your adventure into the stunning Utah landscape near the Red Canyon Visitor Center, perched high up on the rocky cliffs of Flaming Gorge. Admire the views of the vast Red Canyon, carved by the Green River many eons ago. Next, pass by Bryce Canyon National Park and get a crash course in geology. Then, reach the staircase itself, and get an insight into the ancient Fremont, Puebloans, and the Paiute who once called this land home. Leap back in time another 75 million years and learn why the staircase is so rich in dinosaur fossils. Drive to the next stop at the breathtaking Powell Point vista, where you can see the land unfurl for miles and miles in front of you. Continue into the Escalante Petrified Forest, another geological time machine, before heading to Spooky Gulch, a particularly narrow and winding crevasse that is ideal for hiking. Then, make your way to Upper Calf Creek Falls before following the famous Hogback, a dramatic, winding roadway with stunning views off to both sides. Sail through the tiny town of Boulder to Dixie National Forest. Take in the unique Heritage Overlook and Homestead Overlook. Marvel at the panoramic views of the whole landscape of Dixie Forest and the Grand Staircase. End your tour at Capitol Reef, where you will learn about wildfires.

Utah: The Grand Circle Self-Guided Driving Tour Bundle

7. Utah: The Grand Circle Self-Guided Driving Tour Bundle

Start any of your tours by downloading the Action Tour Guide app that will function as your personal guide, audio tour, and map all in one. Note: This 1000+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Grand Circle in 2-3 hours. This bundle includes tours of all these locations: • Arches • Canyonlands • Capitol Reef • Bryce • Zion • Grand Staircase-Escalante • Horseshoe Bend & Page • Grand Canyon • Monument Valley Explore gravity-defying formations in Arches, where the laws of physics don’t seem to apply. Learn how these bizarre landmarks formed, what significance they held for the tribes who lived here long ago, and much more. Discover beautiful Canyonlands, where countless canyons criss-cross a landscape of stunning red desert. Take in breathtaking vistas, catch a truly unforgettable sunset, and learn about the mysterious curse which supposedly afflicts anyone who defaces the canyon walls. Find what remains of an old pioneer town in Capitol Reef, a land of dramatic contrasts. Explore harsh desert and lush orchards, historic structures and apparent wasteland, and so much more in a park like no other. Unearth the legends behind the towering hoodoos which dominate Bryce Canyon. Find out how these strange formations came to be and get to know the tribes who once lived in their long shadows. And don’t forget to linger at the many incredible vistas while you’re here! Walk in the shadow of immense rocky cliffs on your visit to Zion. Experience this lush oasis, draped in greenery and dominated by breathtaking rock formations. Try your hand at the world-famous trail The Narrows. And find out why the Mormons thought this place might just be heaven on Earth. Glimpse the hidden secrets of Grand Staircase-Escalante, home to sweeping views, secluded waterfalls, and even a petrified forest! As you drive, you’ll also learn about the dinosaur fossils which have been found here over the years. Witness the unique site where the mighty Colorado River was tamed by the landscape at Horseshoe Bend. This sharp U-turn in the river is Instagram-famous for a reason, offering dramatic canyon views and an up-close look at the river from 1,000 feet up. Plus, get a bonus tour through the tiny town of Page, which hides plenty of additional scenery. Stand at the precipice of one of the natural wonders of the world with your tour of the Grand Canyon. Stroll along the canyon rim, hike breathtaking trails, and discover how such a dramatic landscape formed in the first place. Experience the quintessential American West landscape at Monument Valley. Cruise among the valley’s towering mesas and hear about its Hollywood history. You’ll also get familiar with the Navajo people who still control this land and discover its significance to their tribe. Put simply: The Grand Circle is a road trip you’ll never forget!

From Escalante: Grand Staircase Cosmic Ashtray Tour

8. From Escalante: Grand Staircase Cosmic Ashtray Tour

Depart Escalante in a 4x4 vehicle to the Cosmic Ashtray Trailhead. Take a guided hike on an unmarked trail to the Cosmic Ashtray, about 4 mile strenuous hike (6.5 km) each way. Located in the wild and remote Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, the experience to Cosmic Ashtray is an out of this world adventure that is perfect for those looking to get off the beaten path. In an area filled with crazy rock formations, narrow slot canyons, and limitless adventure, the guided experience to Cosmic Ashtray stands above all else. You will be taken to this strange and unique rock formation and will be rewarded with one of the craziest sights we have ever seen! Hike back to the vehicle to be returned to Escalante.

Moab: Ultimate Utah Combo Self-Driving Audio Tour

9. Moab: Ultimate Utah Combo Self-Driving Audio Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which will function as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: In this bundle, each tour is 40+ mile-long and takes 2-3 hours to complete. From the canyons of Zion to the gravity-defying formations in Arches, witness Mother Nature at her most impressive on this self-guided driving tour starting in Moab, Utah. Enjoy animated videos to visualize parts of the tour. Simply hop in your car, get the app set up on your phone, and get started. Visit Arches National Park and discover hidden life within this harsh yet beautiful desert. Marvel at impossible rock formations and towering arches millions of years in the making and learn how it all came to be. Learn the history of the Ute and Paiute tribes who lived at Arches for thousands of years. Hear their legends of the trickster god who brought them to the desert and the portals through time that lie dormant. Find out how these tribes survived and what they left behind. See Zion National Park and hear why early Mormon pioneers thought it was heaven on earth. This tour works by car, bike, or shuttle, so you can see the park however you want to. At Zion, see natural wonders like the Temple of Sinawava and the Weeping Rock. Learn the park’s history, from its geologic formation to the first people who lived here. See emerald pools, staggering mountain peaks, and much more. Next, marvel at the towering hoodoos that dot Bryce Canyon. Dive into the history and legends of the Native tribes who lived here, including the harrowing tale of a race of giants who were turned to stone and became the hoodoo formations we see today. Visit groves of Earth’s oldest trees and hear the spooky story of the supposed curse which afflicts anyone who chooses to study these ancient, gnarled plants too closely. Stop at the spot where Forrest Gump ended his famous run at Monument Valley. Then, head into the valley itself to get up close and personal with jaw-dropping mesas, buttes, and spires. Get the inside scoop on how Hollywood turned Monument Valley into the quintessential image of the American West. Learn about the mysterious Anasazi who vanished from this land centuries ago and the Navajo who still call the valley home. Then, unearth hidden secrets at the Grand Staircase. Hidden within this towering staircase are clues to the land’s long history. Learn about the dinosaur fossils people have found here, including a T-Rex skeleton. Before concluding your tour, explore a petrified forest, sparkling waterfalls, and sweeping vistas. Plus, hear the legends and tales of the tribes who once lived at Grand Staircase.

25+ National Parks Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle

10. 25+ National Parks Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle

Start any of these tours by downloading the app that will function as your guide, audio tour, and map. Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Note: In this bundle, each tour is 30+ miles long and takes 2-3 hours to complete. This bundle includes: • Grand Canyon • Yellowstone • Grand Teton • Rocky Mountain • Shenandoah • Acadia • Sequoia & Kings Canyon • Joshua Tree • Arches • Bryce • Canyonlands • Capitol Reef • Zion • Grand Staircase • Monument Valley • Great Smokies • Death Valley • Olympic • Badlands • Glacier • Yosemite • Everglades • Saguaro • Petrified • Red Rock Canyon • Mt Rainier Tour Marvel at a mile-deep crack in the earth at the Grand Canyon. Tour the rim, hike eye-popping trails, and learn how this awe-inspiring landscape formed. Watch Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone, but don’t stop there! See Grand Prismatic, observe the nation’s largest bison herd, get the truth about the Yellowstone supervolcano, and more! Travel to new heights in the Grand Teton mountain range, offering unbelievable vistas, dramatic mountain passes, and tons of history. Explore Colorado’s dramatic Rockies, from gorgeous vistas to the enormous Bear Lake. Plus, learn how this park exists thanks to some competent women. Discover why Great Smoky is the most-visited national park. Find sparkling waterfalls, verdant hiking trails, and a rich Cherokee heritage. Plus, explore little-known Civil War history at Cades Cove. Cruise through tree-filled mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive, both offering perfect wilderness sights and plentiful wildlife and legends. Get in touch with nature at Acadia, one of the greenest places in the country. Or visit in the fall for a truly unforgettable display of autumn foliage! Visit living giants in Sequoia, home to the largest trees on Earth. Then go beyond those groves to Kings Canyon, boasting dramatic vistas for those seeking the perfect photo op. Cruise through Joshua Tree, where two deserts meet. See great desert hikes, wacky Dr. Seuss-like trees, and some of the best sunsets you’ll ever see. Discover the gravity-defying wonder of Arches, named for impossible rock formations millions of years in the making. Hear how they formed and what they meant to the tribes here. Marvel at the towering hoodoos that dot Bryce Canyon. Dive into the legends behind them, including the harrowing tale of giants turned to stone. Visit the staggering beauty of Canyonlands, home to the stunning red desert and more canyons than you can shake a stick at. Stand atop breathtaking vistas, find a piece of history at Aztec Butte, and much more. See why Mormon pioneers thought Zion was heaven on earth! Visit natural wonders from towering rock temples to emerald pools and a hiking trail. Visit the spot where Forrest Gump ended his famous run at Monument Valley! Explore this valley’s jaw-dropping mesas and spires, which made Hollywood famous.

Add dates

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
13 activities found
Sort by:

Go beyond Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Explore all

Other Sightseeing Options in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Want to discover all there is to do in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 18 reviews

Beyond our expectations! Off roading along the way was super fun as well. Bruce was a fantastic, knowledgeable, conscientious guide! His photography skills were super helpful, knowing just the right locations and angles to catch that perfect shot of the canyon. It was just my husband and I, and it truly felt like a private tour just for us. HIGHLY recommend!

Had to wait for the other couple to reserve the tour, so it was a bit troublesome, but the tour was quite spectacular, and the guide was very professional and kind.

Bruce was the most experienced, knowledgeable and patient guide you could ever wish for. He knew every single rock and anecdote about the canyon! Super recommended

We had a lovely day with Bruce. Our feet got a little wet from the rain the night before and we need new shoes, but it was worth it for this adventure.

Terry was a great guide. He shared a lot of knowledge during the hike and he helped us get amazing photos.