Escalante, The Dog Friendly National Park ~ Adventures in Southern California

Escalante: the dog friendly National Park

One of my favorite places to hike in Utah is Escalante National Monument. It's not technically a national park, but it has some of the most spectacular scenery in the Southwest, with huge sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, natural bridges, waterfalls, and miles of desert trails. It is officially designated as the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rather than the National Park Service. Unlike nearby Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, Escalante is also extremely dog friendly. Dogs are allowed on most trails in the monument, although there are a few exceptions. The really narrow slot canyons aren't suitable for dogs, and some have restrictions, but you can hike to the entrances of many of them with your dog. It's a great alternative to the national parks if you like hiking with your pets.

I would recommend visiting Escalante between June and November if you want to enjoy the warmer weather and seasonal businesses, although September and October are probably the best months for hiking. Summer can be extremely hot, and afternoon thunderstorms can cause flash floods. The town of Escalante is small, with a handful of restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds. Many of the businesses are dog friendly, including outdoor dining and pet-friendly camping options. Escalante Outfitters is a great place to grab pizza after hiking, and Ofland Escalante has some really cool accommodations, including cabins and camping optionsA lot of the town's restaurants and campgrounds close or reduce their hours during the winter and don't fully reopen until spring, although the monument itself remains open year-round.

Lower Calf Creek Falls

This is probably my favorite hike in Escalante and one of the best waterfall hikes in Utah. The trail follows Calf Creek through a beautiful sandstone canyon before reaching an incredible 126 foot waterfall that drops into a natural pool. The hike is about six miles round trip and is relatively flat, although sections of deep sand make it more challenging than you might expect. It’s a great hike to do after a light rain because it compacts the sand and makes it easier to walk in. The waterfall is also better after a rain. There is very little shade along parts of the trail, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen, especially during summer. Dogs are welcome, and the trailhead is right off paved Highway 12 at the Calf Creek Campground. There is a $5 parking fee that you pay by dropping cash in the self pay envelope. America the Beautiful pass holders can park for free. The campground has only a limited number of sites, and it’s first come first served, so it's worth arriving early.

Zebra Slot Canyon

Zebra Slot is one of the most unusual slot canyons in Utah. The walls have incredible pink, orange, and white stripes that look almost unreal. The hike is around five miles round trip, starting from Hole In the Rock Road. The trail crosses open desert before reaching a very narrow canyon that sometimes has standing water inside. Dogs are allowed on the approach trail, but I wouldn't recommend taking them into the actual slot because it gets incredibly narrow. You can also visit nearby Tunnel Slot Canyon if you have extra time. The road to the trailhead is dirt and can become impassable after rain. You do have to cross the creek a few times, so you’ll have wet feet at the end of this hike.

Escalante Natural Bridge

The Escalante Natural Bridge Trail is another great hike that starts right off Highway 12. The trail follows the Escalante River through a canyon surrounded by huge sandstone walls. You'll cross the river several times, so expect to get your feet wet on this hike too. After about 1.6 miles, you reach a massive natural bridge carved into the sandstone. It's around 3.2 miles round trip to the bridge, although you can extend the hike farther down the canyon. Dogs are allowed on leash, and the river makes this a nice option when temperatures are warm. Avoid the hike after heavy rain or when the river is running high.

Boulder Mail Trail

If you're looking for a longer and more challenging hike, the Boulder Mail Trail is an excellent choice. This historic route once connected the towns of Escalante and Boulder and crosses some beautiful slickrock terrain with huge sandstone formations and incredible views. You can hike a shorter section or continue all the way to Death Hollow for a strenuous 10.8 mile round trip. There are steep sections, very little shade, and some exposed rock, so this is better suited to experienced hikers. Dogs are permitted on leash, but be careful around the steep drop offs and slick rocks. Bring plenty of water and download your trail map before leaving town because cell service is unreliable

Spooky Gulch

Spooky Gulch is one of the most famous slot canyons in Escalante. The canyon gets so narrow in places that you actually have to turn sideways to squeeze between the walls. It's a really fun adventure, but definitely not for anyone who is claustrophobic. Most hikers combine Spooky Gulch with nearby Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon for a longer loop. There are sections that require scrambling over rocks and squeezing through tight passages. Dogs should not enter the narrow slots, although you can explore the approach trails with them. The trailhead is located about 26 miles down Hole In The Rock Road, so check road conditions before going. The first 13 miles of the road are paved, but it turns into an unpaved dirt road that can get pretty nasty after a rainstorm. You’ll need a vehicle with high clearance, 4WD, or some chains. Avoid any slot canyon hike when rain is forecast, even if the storm is miles away.

Devils Garden

Devils Garden is a great quick stop along Hole In The Rock Road. You can wander around huge sandstone formations, natural arches, and strange-looking hoodoos without doing a long hike. It's one of the easiest places to visit in Escalante and especially beautiful around sunset. Dogs are allowed on the trail. The road to the Devil’ Garden in Paved until the last 2 miles.

Upper Calf Creek Falls

2 miles round trip , Strenuous descent, Dogs permitted, but not recommended

Upper Calf Creek Falls is much shorter than the lower falls hike, but it's also considerably steeper. The trail descends slickrock into a beautiful canyon with waterfalls and natural pools. It's a great alternative if you've already visited Lower Calf Creek Falls, but the steep terrain is a poor choice for dogs.

A great rainy day alternative: Kodachrome Basin State Park

If rain is in the forecast, skip the slot canyons and visit nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park instead. It's about 45 minutes west of Escalante and has some fantastic hikes, including the Panorama Trail and Grand Parade Trail. Panorama is around 3–6 miles depending on the route, while Grand Parade is an easier 1.5 mile loop. The park has beautiful red rock formations, huge sandstone spires, and plenty of open scenery. It's also dog friendly, with leashed dogs allowed on the trails.