Grand Staircase

As big as Canyonlands is, it’s dwarfed by the 1.8 million acres that make up Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the largest national monument in the country. This region abuts Lake Powell to the south, Capitol Reef National Park to the north, Bryce Canyon National Park to the west, and is proximate to both I-15 and I-70. So getting there is easy, deciding which section to explore, not so much. Start with one of America’s most scenic drives, State Route 12. This All-American Road is at its best between the towns of Boulder and Escalante and passes over many of the creeks and other waterways that cut through the colourful stone landscape. From there, try canyoneering in the Canyons of the Escalante Area, hike among hoodoos and arches in the Devil’s Garden, check out the slot canyons and Native American petroglyphs along the Paria River—the possibilities are endless.