Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
storms can turn the monument's dirt roads into impassable mud bogs in minutes,
stranding motorists; and potentially fatal flash floods through narrow canyons can
catch hikers by surprise. Anyone planning trips into the monument should check
first with one of the offices listed above for current and anticipated weather and
travel conditions, and should be alert to changing conditions while exploring the
monument.
Impressions
On this remarkable site, God's handiwork is everywhere.
—President Bill Clinton, September 18, 1996
CAMPING
There are two designated campgrounds in the monument.
Calf Creek
Campground,
in the Calf Creek Recreation Area, about 15 miles northeast of the
town of Escalante via Utah 12, has 14 sites and a picnic area. Open year-round,
the tree-shaded campground is situated in a scenic, steep canyon along Calf Creek,
surrounded by high rock walls. Facilities include picnic tables, grills, and an inter-
pretive hiking trail. (See “Hiking, Mountain Biking & Horseback Riding,” below.)
There also are flush toilets and drinking water, but no showers, RV hookups, RV
dump station, or trash removal. In summer, the campground is often full by 10am.
November through March, water is turned off and only vault toilets are available.
Vehicles must ford a shallow creek, and the campground is not recommended for
vehicles over 25 feet long. Campsites cost $7 per night; day use is $2 per vehicle.
The national monument's other designated campground is
DeerCreek,
located
6 miles east of the town of Boulder along the scenic Burr Trail Road. There are vault
toilets, picnic tables, and grills, but no drinking water or other facilities. Camping
at the seven primitive sites costs $4, and the campground is open year-round. RVs
and cars can fit onto the sites here.
There are also developed campgrounds and a number of primitive camping loc-
ations just outside the monument's boundaries. Backcountry camping is permit-
ted in most areas of the monument with a free permit, available at the Interagency
Office in Escalante and the BLM office in Kanab. (See “Information & Visitors
Centers,” above.)
Sports & Activities
This rugged national monument offers numerous opportunities for outdoor ad-
ventures, including
canyoneering
through narrow slot canyons, with the aid of
ropes. You can get information on the best areas for canyoneering at the monu-
ment's visitor centers, but we cannot emphasize too strongly that this is not the
