Escalante Interagency Visitor Center

The Escalante Interagency Visitor Center on Main Street in Escalante is the single most useful stop before heading into Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It's staffed jointly by the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Forest Service — which means one conversation can cover the Monument, Dixie National Forest, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Escalante is about 44 miles east of Bryce Canyon National Park via Scenic Byway 12.

Why to Stop Here First

Staff have current road conditions for the area's many unpaved routes, including Hole-in-the-Rock Road and Cottonwood Canyon Road, both of which can become impassable after rain. They also issue mandatory overnight backcountry permits for Monument hikes — and permits for Glen Canyon Wilderness areas must be obtained here in person, not at trailheads. If you're planning a multi-day slot canyon trip or a hike to Coyote Gulch, this is a required stop.

Exhibits and Facilities

The center opened in 2005 and was one of the Department of the Interior's first Gold LEED-certified facilities. Inside: a geology and natural history exhibit room, an interpretive theater showing Traces in Time (a short film on the Monument's science and human history), restrooms, and a picnic area outside. Staff can advise on Special Recreation Permits for commercial and competitive activities as well.

Hours and Access

The center is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days a week. Parking is available on-site. No fee to visit the center itself.