Hole in the Rock Road, Hard 4x4 trail in Escalante, UT
    Hard
    Overlanding

    Hole in the Rock Road

    Escalante, UT•Southwest

    Hole in the Rock Road is a hard 57 miles off-road trail near Escalante, UT, best run March - November. The gear list marks All-terrain tires, 4WD required and Full recovery kit as required. Experience and the recommended gear matter on hard terrain; check the gear list before you go.

    Trail Conditions

    No reports yet

    Sign in to report

    Fifty-seven miles of increasingly rough desert road through the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante, ending at a cliff overlooking Lake Powell where Mormon pioneers performed an engineering miracle in 1880. The first half is easy gravel; the last 10 miles require serious 4WD capability.

    Fun Facts

    #1

    In 1880, Mormon pioneers blasted and carved a wagon route through solid sandstone to reach the Colorado River.

    #2

    Devil's Garden has hundreds of hoodoos and natural arches.

    #3

    The road gets progressively rougher, most visitors turn around at Devil's Garden (mile 12).

    Length
    57 miles
    Elevation
    4,500 - 5,800 ft
    Best Season
    March - November
    Permit
    Not Required
    Mormon pioneer routeSlot canyonsLake Powell viewsPetrified woodExtreme remoteness

    🛞 Tires

    required
    All-terrain tires

    ⚙️ Drivetrain

    required
    4WD required

    🪢 Recovery

    required
    Full recovery kit

    Where to Camp

    No campgrounds in our directory within 30 miles yet. Check with the managing agency for Hole in the Rock Road for camping options.

    Browse All Campgrounds

    GPS Coordinates

    37.5212, -111.2834

    Import into Gaia GPS, OnX Offroad, or Garmin

    Map of Escalante, UT

    5-Day Forecast

    Plan this trip

    Planning Your Trip?

    Check out our gear guides and trip planning resources.

    Gear Guides

    Frequently Asked Questions