The Best Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Hikes

By Morgan Sjogren and Michael VerSteeg

• Updated in 2022 with current events, boundaries, and public land information
• Descriptive trail guides for 25 hikes with color photos and color maps
• Detailed natural history and archaeology

This guidebook covers the original 1.88 million acres of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument designated in 1996 to protect its natural wonders and preserve the area for scientific research. In 2017, the monument was trimmed to 1 million acres, reducing protections around some of the world’s most geologically diverse landscapes; the monument was restored in early 2022 to its original boundaries. The hikes featured in this book range from family-friendly day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips that will excite the most adventurous of spirits and will educate readers about the importance of protecting public lands, visiting sensitive areas with respect, and considering low-impact recreation as a pillar of multi-use policy for enhanced conservation.