Escalante Natural Bridge

The Trail

This easy trail is 2.2 miles (one-way) with only a 145 ft. elevation change. However, it does go directly through the river five times up to where we stopped. If you cross the river to get under the bridge, that is an additional crossing. To go there and back, be prepared to cross the river ten to twelve times total. Hiking sandals/water hiking shoes will work well for this.

Topographical Map

Graph of Elevation

Trail in Google Earth

The trail starts at a sign saying that you are entering the Escalante Canyon and that there is not really a trail. However, we found a pretty clear trail the entire way despite what this sign stated on the matter. In fact, hikers should do their best to stay on the existing path and particularly avoid going off into sandy off-trail areas. We noticed a number of areas of cryptobiotic soil along the trail, and in many places these delicate areas had footprints going through them. Please stay off of the cryptobiotic soil.

Trailhead

After only venturing a few yards down the sandy trail, hikers will meet their first river crossing. These crossings were not particularly deep while we were there, but there is not any ready way to get across them without getting your feet wet.

 

As the trail continues up the river, hikers are rewarded with beautiful views of the Navajo sandstone cliffs and slickrock domes that cap them. Depending on the time of year, you may also witness an abundance of wildflowers, lush green foliage fed by the river's waters, or the brilliant color of yellow fall leaves along the trail. There are some intriguing views of the red canyon walls and some other interesting rocks along the way.

Not long before reaching Escalante Natural Bridge, those who look up will be able to catch a glimpse of Skyline Arch high up on the canyon walls. I understand you can also hike much closer to it if you continue a short ways past where we stopped to view the ruins and accompanying petroglyphs. It is said to be about a half mile from the natural bridge.

Skyline Arch in distance

Escalante Natural Bridge pops into view soon after this above the trees, and continuing along the trail takes hikers right up to this alluring rock feature. Cross the river here to walk up under the sandstone bridge.

Continue another .04 miles to reach the Anasazi ruins. There is a social trail heading up off the main path that will take adventurers closer to these ruins and up to a petrogyph panel. Appreciate the artwork here, but please be respectful of the petroglyphs by not touching them or defacing the panel in any way.

After coming back down from the panel, you can continue up the canyon or you can return the way you came. This section of trail is about 16 miles long from the trailhead to Escalante. A short ways up from the panel is Skyline Arch, as previously mentioned, and Sand Creek, a tributary that descends down another beautiful narrower canyon.

Dogs are permitted on this trail, but be aware that there are no restroom facilities at the trailhead. Please be respectful of nearby private property as well.

Directions

This trail is located in Garfield County not far from Boulder, Utah. It is also not far from Escalante, Utah. From Boulder, the trailhead is about 12.5 miles south along Hwy 12 just before crossing the Escalante River. The trailhead will be just down a dirt road to the right before crossing the river. It is not well marked from the road. To get there from Escalante, drive about 14.5 miles along Hwy 12 from the middle of the town to the Escalante River and find the trailhead on the left right after crossing the river. GPS coordinates: N37° 46.545' W111° 25.174'