National Monument remains one of America’s most mysterious and rugged landscapes. This wilderness wasn’t fully mapped until recently, and it was the last part of the lower 48 United States to get cartographed. You’ll find yourself surrounded by nearly two million acres of untamed canyon country, where surprises lurk behind every bend in the trail.
The monument feels like stepping into another world entirely. Today, the monument’s nearly 1.9 million acres of territory has been charted but still remains largely unfrequented. Thanks to its remote location, it is often overlooked in favor of its renowned and more easily reached neighbors. This means you can discover incredible hidden treasures without fighting crowds.
Let’s explore ten remarkable hidden gems that showcase why this monument deserves your attention. Be surprised by what awaits you in Utah’s most remote wilderness.
Bull Valley Gorge: A Slot Canyon with a Haunting Story
The first hidden treasure lies beneath a crude bridge on Skutumpah Road, where Bull Valley Gorge is a relatively well known canyon, yet quite far from a paved road. The reward for the effort needed is over a mile of a deep, narrow Navajo sandstone canyon, quite similar to Buckskin Gulch but with more variety of rock formations and colors.
What makes this slot canyon truly unique is its dark history. The truck fell in (backwards) in 1954, killing two local men, and you can still see the vehicle wedged high in the canyon walls today. It can be quite testing to explore as there are several dryfalls to negotiate – the highest is 12 feet – plus depending on recent weather, pools up to 4 feet deep and long patches of sticky, clayish mud may be encountered.
Willis Creek Narrows: Where Gentle Waters Carve Deep Beauty
Willis Creek Narrows is a series of slot canyons with a gentle stream running through them. The water carves intricate patterns into the rock, creating a mesmerizing landscape. This family-friendly adventure offers Willis Creek flows year-round and the water makes the hike more interesting. Just downstream from the road, Willis Creek tumbles over several small waterfalls and into an almost cave-like slot canyon.
Unlike many challenging slot canyons in the region, this one welcomes hikers of all abilities. If you like the idea of hiking through a narrow canyon but don’t feel comfortable climbing or squeezing through tight areas, Willis Creek Slot Canyon is the perfect choice.
Coyote Gulch: The Crown Jewel of Desert Oases
If you are visiting Grand Staircase-Escalante, hiking into Coyote Gulch is a must! The gulch itself is beautiful, with towering orange sandstone walls that enclose a lush green world below the surface of the barren desert. Nestled in the heart of Escalante’s canyon country, Coyote Gulch contains two arches, a natural bridge, and several waterfalls.
Jacob Hamblin Arch is the most famous landmark inside Coyote Gulch, and a popular destination for day hikers. This remote area features several springs and waterfalls, including the impressive Jacob Hamblin Arch. The hike through Coyote Gulch is challenging but offers breathtaking scenery and solitude.
Zebra Slot Canyon: Nature’s Striped Masterpiece
Deep within the monument’s remote reaches, Zebra Slot Canyon: Known for its distinctive pink and white striped walls, this narrow canyon offers a unique photography opportunity. Zebra Slot Canyon is a narrow, colorful canyon with a spring-fed pool at its end. The canyon’s unique beauty and the refreshing pool make it a must-visit.
Zebra slot canyon is a longer hike at around 6 miles. There is also another canyon called Tunnel Canyon, this will add an additional 2 miles and some navigation skills. The journey requires determination, though the reward of seeing these natural zebra stripes carved into living stone makes every step worthwhile.
Devil’s Garden: A Playground of Stone Sculptures
Devil’s Garden: A 640-acre area featuring intricate rock formations, including hoodoos, arches, and narrow passages. With countless hoodoos, arches, and other odd rock formations, Devil’s Garden makes for a quick but unforgettable experience. It is very much like Goblin Valley, and the kids will enjoy climbing, hiding, and chasing in and out of the hoodoos.
A short stroll through the 200-acre wonderland leads to eroded Navajo sandstone hoodoos, domes, and natural arches such as Metate Arch. It is not unusual to have this remote rock garden all to yourself.
Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch: The Ultimate Slot Canyon Challenge
These twin slot canyons represent the extreme edge of adventure hiking. Peek-a-boo and Spooky Slot Canyons: A pair of thrilling slot canyons featuring challenging rock scrambles and extremely narrow passages, some only 10 inches wide. Peek-A-Boo Gulch is a favorite among hikers for its unique rock formations and challenging terrain. This canyon requires some scrambling and squeezing through tight spaces, making it an exciting adventure.
Spooky Gulch lives up to its name with its eerie, narrow corridors. Known for its narrowness, some parts of this canyon are only 10 inches wide. This hike is neither simple nor family friendly. It is appropriate for those 8 and older, and they’ll need plenty of help!
Lower Calf Creek Falls: A Desert Oasis Paradise
Calf Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall that cascades down a sandstone cliff, creating a serene oasis in the desert. Lower Calf Creek Falls: A 6-mile round-trip hike leads to this 126-foot waterfall, which is a perfect spot for a refreshing dip. A hidden oasis tucked away in Southern Utah, Lower Calf Creek Falls trail follows Calf Creek until arriving at a majestic 126-foot waterfall.
The trail to Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of the more accessible and popular hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante partly because the trailhead is directly on the main highway. This 6.7-mile round-trip trail travels through a broad but beautiful canyon leading to the soaring a 126-foot waterfall. The majority of the trail is flat and easy to follow, making it a great hike for beginners or first-time visitors.
Grosvenor Arch: The Monument’s Towering Giant
Grosvenor Arch: A stunning double arch formation towering 150 feet above the ground, named after a former National Geographic Society president. Grosvenor Arch is a stunning double arch that stands as a testament to the power of erosion. Its grandeur is awe-inspiring. Grosvenor Arch: Located in the southern part of the monument, this arch is easily accessible by a short walk from the parking area.
Unlike many attractions in the monument that require extensive hiking, this geological wonder welcomes visitors who prefer shorter walks. The arch represents millions of years of erosion sculpting sandstone into one of nature’s most impressive doorways.
Escalante Natural Bridge: A Giant Stone Gateway
The Escalante Natural Bridge is a massive arch that spans the Escalante River, offering a picturesque view and a peaceful spot for reflection. The Escalante Natural Bridge trail is one of our favorites because it involves 5 river crossings. The trail is flat, easy, and fun. Our kids loved it! And the destination is amazing, too. The natural bridge is beautiful to stand below.
Just a short 4 mile round trip hike off HWY 12 will take you to the Escalante Natural Bridge. After about 5 river crossings you will come to the natural bridge. This is a great place to relax in the river and cool off. If you want to extend the hike, you can head about another mile to a natural arch where you will find a pretty awesome Anasazi cliff dwelling ruins.
The Toadstools: Whimsical Desert Sculptures
This relatively easy 1.8 mile walk is just gorgeous, the whole landscape seems to be straight out of a fairy tale. The trail goes through a dried up river bed before opening up to a multi-coloured landscape where different types of rock have formed in layers. This has produced the toadstools, these unusual rock formations (hoodoos) have been created by the harder rock eroding more slowly than the softer rock beneath. This has led to white towers with brown rocks on top and there are so many of them!
These peculiar formations create an otherworldly landscape that feels like stepping into a Dr. Seuss illustration. The easy accessibility from Highway 89 makes this hidden gem perfect for families or those seeking beauty without extensive hiking.
Conclusion
National Monument offers treasures that rival any landscape on Earth. These ten hidden gems represent just the beginning of what you can discover in this vast wilderness. From challenging slot canyons that test your limits to gentle waterfalls that refresh your spirit, each location tells its own story millions of years in the making.
Remember that this remote landscape demands respect and preparation. Always carry plenty of water, check weather conditions, and inform others of your plans. The monument’s isolation is part of its magic, though it also means help can be hours away if something goes wrong.
What hidden corner of this magnificent monument will you explore first? Share your adventures in the comments below.
Jan loves Wildlife and Animals and is one of the founders of Animals Around The Globe. He holds an MSc in Finance & Economics and is a passionate PADI Open Water Diver. His favorite animals are Mountain Gorillas, Tigers, and Great White Sharks. He lived in South Africa, Germany, the USA, Ireland, Italy, China, and Australia. Before AATG, Jan worked for Google, Axel Springer, BMW and others.
