Start Planning! 

You’re about to embark on an epic adventure through the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument & Scenic Byway 12! Here’s what you need to know before you go. 

• The tour has two starting points:
  • Kanab, Utah (South to North)
  • Torrey, Utah (North to South)
• The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation. For more information, check out “hours of operation” below. 
• Reservations are required to hike Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park. (Optional)
• Shoulder seasons offer cooler temps and fewer crowds. Summer is busy but hot, while winter offers solitude, though closures may occur.
• Winter snows and summer storms may cause closures.

Budgeting and Hours of Operation 

 Red Canyon Arch on Scenic Byway 12

Budget

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs.

• Zion National Park - $35 per vehicle
• Bryce Canyon National Park - $35 per vehicle
• Capitol Reef National Park - $35 per vehicle
• Kodachrome Basin State Park -  $5 per vehicle
• Escalante Petrified Forest State Park - $10 per vehicle

If you're planning to visit all three national parks during your road trip, you may want to consider purchasing an America the Beautiful Annual Park Pass. For $85, this pass will grant you unlimited access to most of the national parks across the nation for one year.

Hours of Operation 

The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation.

• Moqui Cave: 9 AM - 7 PM (closed on Sunday)
• Red Canyon State Park Hours
• Bryce Canyon City Hours
• Kodachrome Basin State Park Hours
• Escalante Petrified Forest State Park Hours

Get Packing!

Lower Calf Creek Falls

​​Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day. 

• Phone charger
• Phone mount for car
• Hiking Shoes (if hiking)
• Water Bottle
• Bug Spray
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses and hat
• Snacks
• Cash
• America the Beautiful Pass (if visiting National Parks)

Best Time to Visit 

Route 12

• Shoulder seasons offer cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.
• During the summer, most attractions and businesses are open and open longer. But the National Parks get crowded, and temperatures can get hot. 
• Winter provides the most solitude, but you may experience road and attraction closures. 

Safety Information 

• If you leave the main route of Highways 12 and 89, you may find gravel and dirt roads of varying qualities. 
• Winter snows and late summer rain storms can cause road closures. 
• Always carry water with you, especially if you leave the tour route and head into more remote areas, like the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. 

Leave No Trace

Petrified Forest, Escalante

While exploring, we encourage you to abide by the leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the outdoors responsibly with our commitment to preserving natural wonders. 

Respect wildlife habitats, minimize your footprint, and carry out memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you contribute to the longevity and beauty of our planet's most stunning landscapes.

Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Grand Staircase Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our Staircase Escalante & Scenic Byway 12 Itinerary.

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