Tag: Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument

Wide Hollow Campground

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Nestled within the stunning Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in southern Utah, Wide Hollow Campground beckons adventurers, families, and nature enthusiasts to an idyllic retreat where ancient geology meets serene waters. Perched at approximately 5,900 feet elevation along the shores of the 130-acre Wide Hollow Reservoir—just a short drive west of the charming town of Escalante off Scenic Byway 12—this campground offers a perfect base for exploring the dramatic landscapes of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Imagine awakening to the golden hues of sunrise reflecting off the reservoir’s clear blue waters, with the rugged silhouettes of distant canyons and the Kaiparowits Plateau framing your view. The area, part of Utah’s “Swell” region, is a geologic treasure trove shaped by millions of years of erosion, where slot canyons, natural arches, and expansive vistas create a playground for outdoor pursuits. Here, the air is crisp and invigorating, the nights starlit and quiet, and the days filled with the symphony of birdsong from raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl that frequent the shores.

Natural Features and the Surrounding Area

Wide Hollow Campground is enveloped by the park’s signature attractions, blending aquatic serenity with terrestrial marvels. The reservoir itself is a highlight, stocked year-round with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill, making it a prime spot for shore fishing or casting from a rented canoe, kayak, or paddleboard—rentals available on-site during warmer months (March to November). Its calm, swimmable waters invite lazy afternoons lounging on the sandy beach, while the adjacent petrified forest showcases nature’s artistry: colorful, mineralized logs in kaleidoscopic shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple, remnants of ancient trees fossilized over 150 million years ago. Easy-access hiking trails, like the 1-mile Petrified Forest Loop, wind through these formations, offering interpretive signs that reveal the area’s rich paleontological history amid blooming wildflowers in spring or golden cottonwoods in fall. Beyond the park, the broader Escalante region unfolds into endless adventures—hike slot canyons, horseback ride through desert washes, or stargaze in one of the darkest skies in the U.S. The elevation provides cooler summers and mild winters, though visitors should prepare for high-desert conditions with plenty of sun and minimal rainfall.

Available Facilities

Designed for comfort without sacrificing the rustic charm of camping, Wide Hollow Campground features modern amenities to enhance your stay. The park offers 29 full-hookup sites across its loops (including the adjacent Lake View Campground), accommodating tents, RVs, and trailers up to 40 feet. Each site includes a shaded shelter, picnic table, fire pit with grate, paved parking, and ample space for privacy—many boast premium reservoir views toward Escalante’s iconic canyons and Powell Point. Electrical hookups range from 20 to 50 amps, with potable water and sewer connections at every site; additional frost-free water spigots are scattered throughout for convenience.

Supporting facilities keep things clean and convenient:

  • Restrooms and Showers: Modern, well-maintained buildings with hot, free showers—spacious and family-friendly, though occasional upkeep notes from visitors highlight their general cleanliness.
  • Group Areas: A dedicated group pavilion and lakeside overflow spots for larger gatherings (up to 8 people per standard site).
  • Water Recreation: Boat ramp for easy launches, plus canoe/kayak/paddleboard rentals.
  • Day-Use Amenities: Picnic areas with shelters, a swimming beach, and an RV dump station (additional fee applies).
  • Essentials: Drinking water fill-ups, firewood sales (harvested locally to prevent invasive species), and a small camp store for basics. Generators are not permitted in the campground to preserve the peaceful ambiance, but quiet hours are strictly enforced.

Reservations are recommended year-round via Utah State Parks’ online system, with fees starting at $16 per night for basic sites (including park entry). Pets are welcome on leashes, and the campground remains open all year, though services like rentals may vary seasonally. Whether you’re toasting marshmallows by the fire ring or embarking on a dawn paddle, Wide Hollow Campground delivers an unforgettable blend of comfort, recreation, and raw natural beauty—your ideal launchpad for Utah’s red-rock wonders.

White House Campground

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Nestled in the rugged southwestern expanse of Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM), White House Campground offers a serene, primitive escape for adventurers seeking solitude amid one of America’s most remote and geologically stunning landscapes. Established in 1996 and spanning nearly 1.9 million acres, GSENM—often called a “frontier for the 21st century”—protects a vast mosaic of five life zones, from sun-scorched desert lowlands to high-elevation coniferous forests. This unspoiled wilderness, jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is a living museum of natural and cultural history, where ancient Anasazi and Fremont peoples left rock art, granaries, and occupation sites dating back to AD 950–1100. The monument’s dramatic “staircase” of colorful rock layers—limestones atop sandstones atop shales—has been sculpted over millions of years by wind, water, and time, revealing slot canyons, towering cliffs, badlands, plateaus, hoodoos, arches, and natural bridges. Bordered by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the east, Bryce Canyon National Park to the north, and Capitol Reef National Park to the northeast, GSENM invites quiet exploration, scientific discovery, and immersive outdoor pursuits like hiking, backpacking, off-roading, photography, and wildlife viewing. Its biological diversity supports desert bighorn sheep, peregrine falcons, and endemic plants, while paleontological treasures, including dinosaur fossils, underscore its role as a hotspot for geologists and paleontologists.

Perched at the monument’s southern edge, White House Campground embodies this raw beauty in a broad, open valley framed by the Paria River to the north and striking white-grey sandstone buttes to the south. Just two miles south of Highway 89 and the Paria Contact Station (about 43 miles east of Kanab, Utah), it serves as an ideal staging point for journeys into the adjacent Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness—a jointly managed area renowned for its narrow slot canyons, petrified wood, archaeological sites, and world-class hikes like the iconic Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass trails. Here, the air carries the scent of sagebrush and juniper, and sunsets paint the buttes in hues of crimson and gold, offering stargazers unobstructed views of the Milky Way in this International Dark Sky Park. The site’s proximity to Zion National Park (about 80 miles west) and Bryce Canyon (roughly 100 miles north) makes it a perfect hub for multi-park itineraries, while local trails provide day hikes through colorful badlands teeming with desert wildlife, from coyotes to golden eagles.

Available Facilities

White House Campground is designed for low-impact, backcountry-style camping, emphasizing harmony with the desert environment. It’s a first-come, first-served site (no reservations required), open year-round, with a small nightly fee that supports monument maintenance. Facilities are basic to preserve the area’s pristine character:

FacilityDetails
Sites7 car-accessible sites for tents or small RVs (no hookups; suitable for vehicles up to 20 feet); 5 walk-in tent-only sites (short carry-in from parking). All sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads for comfort.
RestroomsVault toilets (non-flush, cleaned regularly) for basic sanitation.
WaterNo potable water on-site—bring your own or fill up at the nearby Paria Contact Station (seasonal). Practice Leave No Trace principles to protect scarce resources.
Firewood & GrillsFire rings provided; gather dead wood locally or bring your own (no cutting live trees). Propane stoves recommended during fire restrictions.
AccessibilityMostly flat, gravel sites; suitable for most abilities, but walk-in sites require light gear hauling over uneven terrain.
Other AmenitiesTrash receptacles available; pack out all waste. No electricity, showers, or dump stations—embrace the off-grid vibe. Nearby Paria Contact Station offers maps, permits, and info for wilderness entry.

With only 12 sites total, the campground rarely feels crowded, fostering a peaceful retreat even during peak seasons (spring and fall). Arrive early to secure a spot, and note that high-clearance vehicles are advised for the final gravel stretch of Monument Road 751.

Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker plotting a multi-day trek or a family chasing golden-hour photos, White House Campground delivers an authentic taste of GSENM’s timeless allure. Pack your sense of wonder, respect the fragile ecosystem, and let the monument’s ancient whispers guide your adventure. For current conditions or permits, stop by a GSENM visitor center—your journey into this geological masterpiece awaits.

References

Hole in the Rock

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Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the Hole in the Rock trail is an old Mormon trail in Utah that was used to establish colonies on the east side of the Colorado River in 1879. The Hole in the Rock from which the trail is named, is a narrow canyon from the rim of the canyon down into the Colorado River Valley. This canyon provided access to the Colorado River and the much needed water require to survive in these remote locations. Months were spent widening the narrow canyon to allow “safe” passage of all the wagons and cattle.

Hole in the wall trail in Escalante, Utah
Hole in the wall trail in Escalante, Utah

The original trail was bisected when the Glen Canyon damn bottled the Colorado River and started to fill up Lake Powell in 1966. However, thE road continues to exist and allows access to the Escalante Canyon system, along with access to the Devils Garden, numerous slot canyons and lots of back country hiking and camping opportunities.

Devils Garden off the Hole in the Rock Trail, Lake Powell, Utah
Devils Garden off the Hole in the Rock Trail, Lake Powell, Utah

The road passes between the Kaiparowits Plateau and the Escalante River. This area is a labyrinth of roads and trails.  The trail leaves the small town of Escalante and travels 44 miles south along a sandy road.

Camping at Dance Hall Rock, Hole in the Rock trail
Camping at Dance Hall Rock, Hole in the Rock trail

Do not underestimate how cool this area is to visit. The rock formations, remote locations and sunsets are beyond comprehension. One can get the feeling of isolation on just a short visit.

Escalante Canyon, Utah
Escalante Canyon, Utah

Hole in the Rock Trail Map