Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Camping and Lodging
There are limited lodging and developed camping opportunities available within the boundaries of the monument. The only developed campground is located at Calf Creek. Deer Creek has a primitive campground. However, you can find lodging, camping, and other services at these surrounding communities:

• Kanab - medical, lodging, restaurants, gas, auto repair/towing, groceries, campgrounds, guides, BLM office
• Big Water - lodging, restaurant
• Page, AZ - medical, lodging, restaurants, gas, auto repair/towing, groceries, campgrounds
• Boulder - lodging, restaurants, gas, auto repair, guides, groceries
• Escalant - limited medical, lodging, restaurants gas, auto repair/towing, groceries, campgrounds, guides, BLM/interagency office
• Tropic - lodging, restaurants, gas, groceries, campgrounds
• Cannonville - lodging, gas, groceries
• Bryce Canyon - lodging restaurants, gas, auto repair/towing, groceries, campgrounds, guides

Weather
Late spring (April to June depending on elevation) and early fall (September to October) are probably the best times to visit. However, gnats and deerflies can be troublesome in May and June. Sudden changes in weather can occur at any time, particularly at higher elevations.

July and August are the months for thunderstorms, although the rainy season can last well into September. Many of the monument's dirt roads become impassable when wet. Summer temperatures may reach 100ºF or more at lower elevations but will be cooler in the higher drainages.

During the winter months snow and sub-zero temperatures can occur throughout the monument. Always inquire locally about the weather forecast before beginning your trip.

Surviving

Emergency Numbers:
Garfield County Sheriff - 911 or 435-676-2678
Kane County Sheriff - 911 or 435-644-2349
Bureau of Land Management, Escalante - 435-826-5499
Bureau of Land Management, Kanab - 435-644-2672

Water: Carry plenty of water, at least one gallon per person per day, whether you are hiking or driving. Don't ration your water. It will do you good only if you drink it.

Heat: Protect against heat exhaustion. Do not overexert yourself. Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid extreme midday temperatures in the summer. Wear a hat and lots of sunscreen. (GORP has an excellent article on preventing heat stroke and dehydration.)

Abandoned Mines: Abandoned mines pose several dangers: explosives, concentrations of toxic materials, mine shafts, etc. Stay out and stay alive. (Mineshafts are a major danger in Death Valley National Park, too.)

Flash Floods: Don't camp or park your vehicle in a wash or stream bed, and avoid hiking in narrow slot canyons when rain is a possibility. A dry wash can flash flood in minutes, even if you do not see a cloud in the sky.

Gasoline: Make sure you start with a full tank of fuel; gasoline is available in the communities surrounding the monument.