Megan & Coley
Things To Do + Grub
Upper Calf Creek Falls
Upper Calf Creek Falls is a little hidden oasis nestled among the rocky hills of Grand Staircase Escalante in southern Utah. The beautiful waterfall is accessible via a short, but very steep, 2-mile roundtrip hike located off the Scenic Highway 12 between Boulder and Escalante. This unmarked spur road is located approximately 20.5 miles north of Escalante on UT 12 and approximately 7.4 miles southwest of Boulder. The dirt road to the trailhead can be found on the north (left) side of the road between mile markers 80 and 81. The very rough and rocky road leads 0.1 mile to the trailhead parking area on the rim of Calf Creek canyon. There are pullouts in which to park just off the highway if you are driving a low-clearance vehicle.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
On Oct. 8, 2021, President Biden issued Presidential Proclamation 10286 restoring the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The Monument now spans across nearly 1.87 million acres of America's public lands in southern Utah, and is an outstanding biological resource, spanning five life-zones - from low-lying desert to coniferous forest. When visiting, you’ll be traveling the land of the Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont people, who were experts at farming this rugged land and built granaries to store what they grew. Their descendants, including people from the Hopi, Paiute, Zuni, Ute, and Navajo tribes, have strong ties to this land today, leaving behind rock art panels, occupation sites, campsites and granaries. Fossil excavations have yielded more information about ecosystem change at the end of the dinosaur era than any other place in the world.
Wide Hollow Reservoir
Located in Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Wide Hollow Reservoir is about 2 miles away from Birch Creek House and the water is crystal clear in late May...bring your swimsuits!
Zebra Slot
Named after the vivid stripes that line its walls, Zebra Slot Canyon in Grand Staircase Escalante 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 that can be tricky to follow, and a challenging climb through very narrow canyon walls. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 53 min to complete.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Hoodoos (irregular columns of rock) exist on every continent, but here is the largest concentration found anywhere on Earth. Situated along a high plateau at the top of the Grand Staircase, the park's high elevations include numerous life communities, fantastic dark skies, and geological wonders that defy description. Wind, water and time have eroded Bryce Canyon National Park's sandstone cliffs into otherworldly characters plucked from the unconscious of a mad Viking. Rows of humanoid pillars crosshatched by rock strata look almost intentional but perfectly surreal. So silent, eerie and beautiful. So improbable it has to be true.
Devils Garden
Traveling with kids? Devils Garden is perfect! There are so many nooks and crannies to explore, with spots to go rock scrambling and exploring.
Golden Cathedral
We LOVE this hike. Two things: 1) only attempt if you have a solid chunk of time to hike and explore it, 2) do not bring dogs (it gets super hot), and 3) bring a lot of water. Explore this 9.1-mile out-and-back trail near Escalante, Utah. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 16 min to complete. This is a popular trail for camping and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are March through November.
Capitol Reef National Park
About an hour and a half away from Escalante, located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles.
Scenic Byway Route 12
This is 122.863 miles (to be exact) of pure driving bliss. Welcome to Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, also known as “A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway.” What’s more, this stretch of pavement is also designated an All-American Road. Only one-third of America’s scenic byways get this distinction, and it’s given because these roads offer unique features that you can’t find elsewhere making these byways tourist destinations unto themselves. The All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12 connects U.S. 89 near Panguitch on the west with S.R. 24 near Torrey on the northeast. A stop at the scenic overlook near the road’s summit at about 9,000 feet puts it all into perspective. Atmosphere envelopes distant lands, the Henry Mountains, Grand Staircase-Escalante and the shimmering red rock of Capitol Reef National Park. Contrasting stands of subalpine fir and aspen decorate the immediate surroundings.
Petrified Forest Trail
Another great hike for kids! Head out on this 1.9-mile loop trail near Escalante, Utah. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 3 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. And you can take a dip in Wide Hollow Reservoir after!
Escalante Mercantile
The Escalante Mercantile is a natural grocery and mercantile, nicknamed “The Merc” located in an historic building on Main Street. Extensive selections within the store feature all types of natural and organic items including fruits and vegetables, meats and gourmet cheeses, milk alternatives and many gluten-free brands. They have hiking/backpacking foods for sports and health enthusiasts. Asian, Thai and other ethnic offerings make The Merc your oasis in the desert!
Kiva Koffeehouse
We LOVE this coffee spot, and the views are to die for!
Escalante Outfitters
A great spot for pizza and beer, but also rustic lodging too. Escalante Outfitters is a family run businesses – the Waggoner family moved to Escalante in 2006. Escalante Outfitters is a positive “one stop” vacation destination for visitors exploring the canyons, deserts, and high plateaus of Southern Utah. Whether our guests are eating at our restaurant, staying at our facilities, outfitting for a backpacking trip or having an adventure with one of our guides, we strive to provide our visitors with the resources and knowledge to make their trip safe and memorable. Their aim is to achieve a harmonious and prosperous affinity with our cultural and natural resources by helping others enjoy Southern Utah and by doing our part to give back to the environment through conservation, education and reducing our ecological footprint.
Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm
Located in nearby Boulder, Utah, Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm serves fanciful Four Corners cuisine: a blend of Western Range and Southwestern flavors, running through the kaleidoscope of the ever-changing offerings from our farm. They are busy designing new menus that feature our farm eggs and the veggies fresh from the farm and from last year’s harvest. We grow many of our own vegetables, fruits, and herbs on our six-acre, no-harm organic farm, and we feature locally raised meats, as well as our own handmade breads, jams, preserves, pickles, and hot sauce.
Ranch Dog Kitchen
“Fancy” German-style hotdogs. Yum!
4th West Pub
Awesome little dive bar - basically the only true bar in town. Outdoor seating, pool tables, good burgers too!
Georgie’s Outdoor Mexican Cafe
Mexican food served in the great outdoors of Escalate Utah.
Nemo's Drive Thru
A classic burger joint, check it out!