Grand Staircase-Escalante Nat Monument

This huge area in southern Utah includes sandstone canyons and slot canyons, high plateaus and outlandish formations – and a lot of slickrock (bare sandstone).

The Grand Staircase in the west is a series of widely spread, vivid cliffs which descends from near Bryce Canyon to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. They are home to some fine trails and well-known slot canyons, including Bull Valley Gorge, Lick Wash and Willis Creek. The Vermilion Cliffs are one of the steps in the Grand Staircase.

In the middle is the 50 Mile Mountain, or Kaiparowits Plateau.

In the east are the Escalante Canyons. The Devil’s Garden, Harris Wash and lower Coyote Gulch are good hiking areas. Fantastic slot canyons include Soppky, Brimstone and Peekaboo canyons – although, if slot canyons are your thing, you should consider heading over to world-famous Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon, which are not that far off.

This can be tough walking in dry, remote mountains and canyons with uncertain weather. Come fully prepared, and carry enough water. Flash flood in narrow canyons are a particular, deadly risk.

There are excellent books on all these areas. Find relevant books on Amazon.

Our friends and partners Responsible Travel have a selection of walking and other holidays in South-west USA. You should get good ideas, perhaps for something you hadn’t thought of…

We want to tell more - please send us your ideas, suggestions, experiences and photos. Thank you!