Getting Around While You Are Here Underfoot and All Around Hanging Gardens Pack Rat Libraries Spans of Time and Life Canyons Washed in Colors Nowhere But Here Space Rock Wind Water

Exploring the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument can be an adventure. But adventure can quickly turn to disaster if a breakdown of equipment or a sudden change in weather catches you unprepared. Above everything else the Monument is REMOTE and nearly all its roads are PRIMITIVE. Acquire good information before venturing into the Monument's interior, including a map you understand and can read. Think of time and level of difficulty, not just miles. Choose roads and trails that match your skills and experience. Always bring plenty of water, and make sure that your vehicle is in good working condition and adequately supplied for emergencies.

Plan Your Trip: Services and Water (except seasonally at Calf Creek campground) are not available in the Monument. When heading into the back country, tell friends where you are going and for how long. Stick to your plan and let them know when you return. DON'T TRAVEL OR HIKE ALONE...

Roads: All roads within the Monument's interior, except for portions of the Burr Trail and the Johnson Canyon Road, are unpaved. The principal access roads within the Monument shown on this map are dirt or gravel surfaced and intermittently maintained late spring through fall. unmaintained routes are rough, rocky, or traverse areas of deep sand requiring high clearance or 4WD. Bad weather can leave any dirt or gravel road impassable, sometimes for several days. Carry extra clothing, food, and water. Some roads, including the Skutumpah, Cottonwood Canyon, Smoky Mountain, Hole-in- Rock, and the Paria River Valley roads, cross sections with a clay surface which becomes extremely slippery when wet. All dirt roads should be avoided during inclement weather. Check locally for current road conditions and weather forecasts.

Gasoline: Make sure you start with a full tank of fuel; gasoline is available in the communities surrounding the Grand Staircase National Monument.

Water: Carry plenty of water, at least one gallon per person per day, whether you are hiking or driving. Don't ration your water. it will do you good only if you drink it.

Flash Floods: Don't camp or park your vehicle in a wash or stream bed, and avoid hiking in narrow slot canyons when rain is a possibility. A dry wash can flash flood in minutes, even if you do not see a cloud in the sky.

Heat: Protect against heat exhaustion. Do not overexert yourself. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid extreme midday temperatures in the summer. Wear a hat and lots of sun screen.

Abandoned Mines: Abandoned mines pose several dangers; explosives, concentrations of toxic materials, mine shafts, etc. Stay out and stay alive.

First Aid: Carry a first aid kit in your car and pack. Know how to use it.

Weather: Late spring (April-June depending on elevation) and early fall (September-October) are probably the best times to visit. However, gnats and deer flies can be troublesome in May and June. Sudden changes in weather can occur at any time, particularly at higher elevations. July and August are the months for thunderstorms, although the rainy season can last well into September. Many of the Monument's dirt roads become impassable when wet. Summer temperatures may reach 100 degrees or more at lower elevations but will be cooler in the higher drainages. During the winter months snow and sub-zero temperatures can occur throughout the Monument. Always inquire locally about the weather forecast before beginning your trip.

Emergency Numbers:
Garfield County Sheriff -  911 or 435/676-2678
Kane County Sheriff - 911 or 435/644-2349
Bureau of Land Management, Escalante - 435/826-4291
Bureau of Land Management, Kanab  - 435/644-2672

Services:
Kanab: Medical, lodging, restaurants, gas, auto repair/towing, groceries, campgrounds, guides, BLM office.

Big Water: lodging, restaurant. Page, AZ: medical, lodging, restaurants, gas,auto repair/towing, groceries, campgrounds.

Boulder: lodging, restaurants, gas auto repair, guides, groceries.

Escalante: limited medical, lodging, restaurants, gas, auto repair/towing, groceries, campgrounds, guides, BLM/Interagency office.

Tropic: lodging, restaurants, gas, groceries, campgrounds.

Cannonville: lodging, gas, groceries.

Bryce Canyon: lodging, restaurants, gas, auto repair/towing, groceries, campgrounds, guides.

For additional travel and commercial service information contact:
Kane County Travel Council
78S 100E, Kanab, Ut 84741 800/733-5263

Information:
For road conditions, other maps, hike suggestions or permits, outfitters, and other information, please stop by or contact the Bureau of Land Management: Escalante Interagency Visitor Center, 755 W. Main, Escalante, UT 84726; Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center, 745 East Hwy 89, Kanab, UT 84741; or the Kanab BLM Field Office, 318 North 100 East, Kanab, UT 84741. Or access general information on-line at www.ut.blm.gov/momument.