Grand Staircase-Escalante Hiking Tours

Four Season Guides

Guided Grand Staircase–Escalante Hiking Tours & Canyon Country Adventures

Remote Canyons & High Deserts

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a vast and rugged wilderness of colorful cliffs, winding slot canyons, and stunning natural arches. This is a landscape that rewards exploration, and for over 20 years, Four Season Guides has been leading unforgettable backpacking and hiking adventures into its remote corners.


Our expert guides know this region intimately, from the classic Coyote Gulch to the remote Boulder Mail Trail. Whether you're looking for a challenging backpacking expedition or a comfortable lodge-based tour, we have an itinerary that will immerse you in the magic of Escalante.

A group of people are jumping in the air in front of a mountain.

Our Guided Grand Staircase - Escalante Hiking Trips

Explore Our Itineraries

We offer a wide range of guided hiking and backpacking trips in Grand Staircase-Escalante, from 3-day getaways to week-long expeditions. All of our trips include professional guides, all necessary gear, delicious meals, and small group sizes.

A view of a canyon at sunset with a cloudy sky.

Escalante Lodge-Based Tour

Trip Style: Lodge-Based Hiking

Duration: 4 or 5 days

Difficulty: Intermediate

Distance: 25 to 35 miles

Starting at

$2,650

A large rock arch in the middle of the desert.

Capitol Reef & Escalante

Trip Style: Lodge-Based Hiking

Duration: 6 days

Difficulty: Intermediate

Distance: 35 to 40 miles

Starting at

$3,350

A view of a canyon from the top of a rock formation.

Best of Canyon Country

Trip Style: Lodge-Based Hiking

Duration: 5 days

Difficulty: Intermediate

Distance: 30 to 40 miles

Starting at

$3,375

A group of people are hiking through a canyon.

Bryce & Escalante Basecamp

Trip Style: Basecamp Hiking

Duration: 5 days

Difficulty: Intermediate

Distance: 25 to 35 miles

Starting at

$2,250

A man with a backpack is standing on top of a rocky hill.

Starting at

$2,425

Zion, Bryce, & Escalante basecamp

Trip Style: Basecamp Hiking

Duration: 5 days

Difficulty: Intermediate

Distance: 30 to 40 miles

There is a large body of water in the middle of a cave.

Starting at

$1,975

Egypt & the Golden Cathedral

Trip Style: Backpacking

Duration: 4 days

Difficulty: Intermediate

Distance: 25 miles

A person with a backpack is walking through a desert landscape

Starting at

$1,975

All-Women’s Escalante Backcountry Backpacking

Trip Style: Backpacking

Duration: 5 days

Difficulty: Intermediate +

Distance: ~ 35 miles

A group of women are doing yoga poses in the desert.

Starting at

$2,250

ALL WOMEN'S Bryce & Escalante Basecamp

Trip Style: Basecamp Hiking

Duration: 5 days

Difficulty: Intermediate

Distance: 32 to 38 miles

A river flowing through a canyon surrounded by rocks and trees.

Coyote Gulch

Trip Style: Backapcking
Duration: 4 days

Difficulty: Intermediate

Distance: 25 miles

Starting at

$1,975

Two people with backpacks are walking down a rocky hillside.

Starting at

$1,975

Escalante Backcountry traverse

Trip Style: Backpacking

Duration: 5 days

Difficulty: Intermediate +

Distance: 34 miles

A group of people with backpacks are standing in front of a rock wall.

Starting at

$1,975

ALL WOMEN'S Coyote Gulch Backpacking (Coming in 2026)

Trip Style: Backpacking
Duration: 4 days

Difficulty: Intermediate

Distance: 25 miles

Why Visit Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument?

A Land of Discovery 

Grand Staircase-Escalante is a land of discovery, where every canyon and side trip reveals something new. It is a place of profound silence, brilliant night skies, and a deep connection to the natural world.

Visitors love Bryce for:

thrill of exploring narrow slot canyons
the solitude and remoteness of the wilderness
the rich history of the Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont cultures.
A group of people standing next to each other on top of a mountain.
A group of people standing next to each other on top of a mountain.

Why Explore Escalante with a Guide?

The Four Season Difference 

The vast and rugged nature of Grand Staircase-Escalante makes it a challenging place to explore on your own. Four Season Guides have the experience and expertise to navigate this complex landscape safely, and they'll take you to the best spots that you might not find on your own. We handle all the logistics, so you can focus on the adventure.

Which Trip Style Fits Your Escalante Adventure?

Our Most Popular Grand Staircase Hiking Tours

Lodge-Based

Return to a comfortable lodge each evening while exploring slot canyons, waterfalls, and high-desert overlooks by day.

Basecamp

Our Escalante basecamp trips (hiking + camping) offer a perfect balance of immersion and comfort.

Backpacking

Escalante is home to several of Utah’s most iconic backpacking routes. These trips are ideal for hikers seeking wilderness immersion

best time of year to hike Grand Staircase-Escalante

Plan Your Seasonal Adventure 

SPRING

66° 34°

(MARCH - May)

The weather is perfect for hiking, with long, sunny days and cool nights. The canyons are filled with wildflowers, and the waterfalls are flowing.

sUMMER

89° 54°

(June - August)

Summer in Escalante is hot, but our guides know how to beat the heat. We start our hikes early, and we often find hidden swimming holes to cool off in.

FALL

68° 36°

(September - NovembeR)

The fall colors are spectacular, and the weather is ideal for backpacking. The crowds have thinned out, and you'll feel like you have the wilderness to yourself.

WINTER

45° 21°

(December - February)

Winter is not ideal for hiking in Grand Staircase-Escalante due to cold temperatures, icy conditions, and unpredictable weather that can make roads and stream crossings hazardous.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hiking in Grand Staircase-Escalante

Common Questions

  • Is Grand Staircase-Escalante worth visiting?

    Absolutely! Grand Staircase-Escalante is a vast and rugged wilderness that offers a true sense of adventure. It is home to the most extensive network of slot canyons in Utah, as well as stunning waterfalls, natural arches, and ancient ruins. If you are looking for solitude and a chance to explore a wild and remote landscape, Grand Staircase-Escalante is an unforgettable destination.

  • Do you need a permit to hike in Grand Staircase-Escalante?

    Permits are required for all overnight backpacking trips in the Escalante District of Grand Staircase-Escalante, including popular routes like Coyote Gulch. Day hiking in most areas does not require a permit. When you travel with Four Season Guides, we take care of all necessary permits for our trips.

  • Do I need a permit for hiking in Grand Staircase-Escalante?

    You do not need permits for hiking or backpacking in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. 

  • Can you do Coyote Gulch in one day?

    While it is technically possible to hike Coyote Gulch in a single, very long day, it is a strenuous and challenging undertaking. To fully appreciate the beauty of the canyon and its many features, we highly recommend an overnight backpacking trip. This allows for a more relaxed pace and the opportunity to camp in a truly spectacular setting.

  • What is the closest town to Coyote Gulch?

    The closest town to the Coyote Gulch trailheads is Escalante, Utah. Escalante is a small town with limited services, but it is a great base for exploring the surrounding area. It is also conveniently located about 50 miles east of Bryce Canyon National Park.

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Expertly Guided, Unforgettable Escalante Adventure

“Our Bryce and Escalante lodge-based hiking was a great trip! Matt’s knowledge and experience allowed him to show us things we never would have found on our own. He tailored the itineraries to the groups interests and abilities so that everyone had an enjoyable trip."

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travel tips

When visiting Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, have a plan and be willing to change it based on current conditions. This region is vast, wild, remote, and largely unmarked. Download offline maps, carry plenty of water, and don’t rely on cell service. Many of the best hikes are accessed via long dirt roads like Hole-in-the-Rock Road, which can become impassable when wet, so check conditions and weather forecasts before heading out. Allow extra travel time. Start early to avoid heat, and always be mindful of flash flood risk in slot canyons, even if skies look clear around you. Finally, embrace a slower pace—this isn’t a place to rush through, but to connect with, explore, and discover.

A lush, green forest fills the base of a deep, narrow desert canyon with steep, textured rock walls.

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