Experience the Americana Town in Utah So Charming You’ll Want to Keep It a Secret

There are several Utah towns just oozing with Americana charm, whether it's Park City tucked away in the mountains, or Kanab or Springdale, both located close to Zion National Park. My favorite hidden town in Utah? It's Escalante, and after you visit for the first time, it may become your favorite, too!

Where is Escalante?

Escalante is a small town in the southwest corner of Utah. To get here requires a road trip, as it's approximately 4.5 hours from both Salt Lake City and Las Vegas airports, and nearly six hours from the Grand Canyon, to give you an idea of the drive from Arizona. However, it's a perfect spot to make your home base for exploring some of Utah's incredible "Mighty Five" National Parks—Bryce Canyon is one hour, Capitol Reef is 1.5 hours, Zion is two hours, and both Arches and Canyonlands are four hours from Escalante. However, if you feel like staying in town, the highly underrated Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, with its wild, rugged natural landscape, will be all around you and waiting for you to explore!

Outdoor Recreation in Escalante

Escalante is an incredible hub for outdoor recreation. First and foremost, the town is situated at the edge of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a 1.9-million-acre area featuring a wide variety of landscapes and landmarks, including dinosaur tracks, badlands, cliffs, and canyons. It's wild and rugged, perfect for any outdoor explorer seeking a more remote experience in Utah's great outdoors. Off-roading, hiking, mountain biking, and camping are among the most popular activities within the national monument.

When in town, spend some time at the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, a gorgeous 1,350-acre park where you will find petrified wood dating back approximately 100 million years. For me, it was fascinating hiking through the park with a ranger who showed us some of the best spots to find petrified wood. My favorite trail was the Sleeping Rainbows Trail, which features petrified wood with a nearly rainbow-like coloring. Also in the park is a man-made lake for fishing and boating, as well as a campground for tents and RVs.

Where to Stay in Escalante

When I spent time in Escalante, I stayed at Escalante Escapes for two nights. The serene property has nine luxurious tiny homes and beautiful views from the private porches, perfect for relaxing as you watch the sunset. There are three different accommodation sizes: the King Escape is the smallest at 370 square feet, the Bunk Escape (which I stayed in) is 400 square feet, and the Loft Escape is, by far, the largest at 570 square feet. Each unit features an open-concept living room and kitchen, along with one or two bedrooms (depending on the unit), and a private bathroom. My favorite amenity was the in-home washer and dryer, which came in handy after a few hours of hiking in Escalante Petrified Forest State Park!

Another place to consider staying is Ofland Escalante, an incredibly cool glampground with tiny homes, cabins, vintage Airstreams, and campsites. Open seasonally, the venue offers a variety of amenities, including an on-site food truck and a vintage-style drive-in movie theater featuring classic cars to sit in while watching a classic flick, as well as an Airstream where you can purchase popcorn and candy.

Where to Dine in Escalante

For such a small, remote town, I was surprised by the variety of dining options in Escalante. For starters, you can head to Kiva Koffeehouse, which is built into the side of a mountain and has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Open April through October, this seasonal cafe is a unique stop along Scenic Byway 12, which runs between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park. Here, you can enjoy the views as you sip on a latte and indulge in a homemade pastry.

With a bar and American fare, 4th West Pub is a casual local spot with friendly staff that will make you feel right at home. From the queso blanco with tortilla chips to the California street tacos, burgers, loaded fries, and more, you can't go wrong with anything you order—it's all good!

Featuring a shop that sells outdoor gear and offers guided tours as well as lodging, Escalante Outfitters also boasts an excellent restaurant serving coffee, lunch, and dinner. My group came here for lunch, and we ordered an array of delectable dishes, including pizza, salads, and sandwiches. I thoroughly enjoyed the Apple Pecan Arugula Salad and indulged in a gluten-free pastry—a peanut butter chocolate bar that melted in my mouth and was worth every calorie!

My Final Thoughts on Escalante

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Escalante, and I hope to return one day. Between the kind people, the town's charming main street, stellar accommodations, delicious and unique dining options, and outdoor recreation, Escalante is the ideal home base for exploring this stunning part of Utah.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip to Escalante and Bryce Canyon County using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.

Melissa's visit to Escalante was part of a media trip hosted by Bryce Canyon Country. However, all opinions are her own.