Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Grand Staircase

Download GuideAlong's Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument audio tour for a stunning scenic drive across the vast geologic “staircase” that connects Bryce and Capitol Reef. On this day-long drive of the Grand Staircase, we traverse the Hogback Ridgeline, identify the distinct “steps” at Powell Point Vista, and enjoy sweeping vistas of Escalante National Monument. The petrified forest offers a glimpse of a lost world and an optional detour leads down into Spooky Gulch. Driving along the Grand Staircase is the best way to connect a roadtrip of Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks (Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands) into a scenic yet convenient loop. Stories, tips, and directions play automatically based on your location Travel at your own pace Tour offline using GPS. No cell service or WiFi is needed Suggested itineraries for half, full, or multi-day use No time limits or expiry, and free updates

1. 1

   Red Canyon Visitor Center

   5 min

   Surrounded by brilliant red cliffs and ponderosa pines, this visitor center is a perfect introduction to Utah’s Scenic Byway 12. Stop for maps and local information, then explore nearby trails and get your first close-up look at the colorful formations that make Red Canyon so memorable.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   5 min

   Drive beneath Red Canyon’s iconic red-rock tunnels, one of the most recognizable sights along Highway 12. Framed by towering sandstone formations, these dramatic gateways offer a striking preview of the landscapes waiting farther along the route.

3. 3

   Bryce Canyon National Park

   10 min

   Famous for thousands of towering hoodoos, Bryce Canyon looks unlike almost anywhere else on Earth. Enter the park to admire vast natural amphitheaters from overlooks like Sunrise and Sunset Points, or hike among the colorful rock spires for an even closer look.

4. 4

   Mossy Cave Trail

   10 min

   Follow a short creekside trail into a surprisingly lush corner of Bryce Canyon country. Along the way, see colorful hoodoos, a small waterfall, and the sheltered grotto known as Mossy Cave, where seasonal ice formations can sometimes linger into warmer months.

5. 5

   Cannonville

   5 min

   This small pioneer town sits at the gateway to some of Grand Staircase–Escalante’s most dramatic backcountry scenery. Pass through its quiet streets while discovering how Mormon settlers built communities in this remote and challenging corner of southern Utah.

6. 6

   Henrieville

   5 min

   Surrounded by colorful cliffs and open ranchland, Henrieville is one of the tiny communities scattered along Scenic Byway 12. Learn how early settlers adapted to life in this isolated landscape and how ranching helped sustain generations of local families.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   5 min

   This small historic cemetery offers a quiet glimpse into the lives of the families who settled southern Utah. Walk among simple graves and pioneer names while reflecting on the hardships faced by those who created communities in this rugged desert environment.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   10 min

   Look toward the towering cliffs of Powell Point, a prominent landmark rising above the surrounding plateau country. Its colorful rock layers reveal millions of years of geologic history and provide a dramatic reminder of the immense scale of the Grand Staircase landscape.

9. 9

   Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

   10 min

   Step into a landscape filled with colorful fragments of trees that turned to stone millions of years ago. Follow trails past brilliant petrified wood, enjoy views over Wide Hollow Reservoir, or pay the park entrance fee to explore this remarkable window into Utah’s prehistoric past.

10. 10

    Spooky Gulch

    10 min

    Squeeze through one of southern Utah’s most famous slot canyons, where twisting sandstone walls narrow to just inches in places. Reaching Spooky Gulch requires a backcountry side trip, but adventurous hikers are rewarded with an unforgettable journey through sculpted desert rock.

11. 11

    Stop 11

    15 min

    Stop high above the Escalante Canyons for sweeping views across miles of slickrock, cliffs, and winding desert terrain. This spectacular overlook reveals just how vast and rugged Grand Staircase–Escalante really is and makes an excellent stop for panoramic photographs.

12. 12

    Stop 12

    15 min

    Built into the dramatic landscape along Highway 12, this distinctive roadside stop blends naturally into the surrounding sandstone scenery. Pause for food or coffee while enjoying expansive views over the Escalante River canyon and the rugged wilderness beyond.

13. 13

    Calf Creek Falls Recreation Area

    15 min

    Tucked between towering sandstone walls, this scenic recreation area is the gateway to one of Utah’s most popular waterfall hikes. Stop beside Calf Creek, enjoy the shaded canyon setting, or pay the day-use fee and hike toward beautiful Lower Calf Creek Falls.

14. 14

    Stop 14

    10 min

    Follow the Escalante River into a landscape of soaring canyon walls, cottonwood groves, and hidden traces of human history. This backcountry trail offers hikers a closer look at the waterway that carved through the sandstone and helped shape the region around it.

15. 15

    Stop 15

    10 min

    Flowing year-round through an otherwise dry desert landscape, Calf Creek creates a ribbon of life beneath towering sandstone cliffs. Watch for cottonwoods, wildlife, and ancient cultural sites while discovering why this small stream has been so important to the surrounding ecosystem.

16. 16

    Calf Creek Falls Recreation Area

    10 min

    Look down into the winding canyon carved by Calf Creek and see how water has transformed the desert below. The viewpoint offers an impressive perspective on the contrast between pale slickrock, deep canyon walls, and the green vegetation following the creek.

17. 17

    Upper Calf Creek Falls

    10 min

    This trailhead leads to the lesser-known upper waterfall of Calf Creek, reached by a shorter but steeper hike than the famous lower falls. Descend across slickrock to discover a secluded cascade and swimming area tucked beneath sandstone cliffs.

18. 18

    Boulder

    10 min

    One of Utah’s most remote communities, Boulder remained inaccessible by paved road until well into the 20th century. Explore a town surrounded by mountains and slickrock while hearing how residents once relied on pack animals and difficult trails to stay connected with the outside world.

19. 19

    Stop 19

    15 min

    This trail follows part of the historic route once used to carry mail between Boulder and Escalante. Hike into rugged canyon country and imagine the determination required to cross slickrock, streams, and steep terrain simply to keep these isolated communities connected.

20. 20

    Stop 20

    15 min

    Rising prominently above the surrounding landscape, Sugarloaf Mountain adds another dramatic landmark to the drive across southern Utah. Watch the terrain change around you as desert cliffs gradually give way to the higher forests and mountains of the Aquarius Plateau.

21. 21

    Stop 21

    15 min

    Originally developed as a cattle route, the Burr Trail now offers one of southern Utah’s most spectacular scenic drives. Follow it through colorful canyons and slickrock country toward Capitol Reef, where dramatic switchbacks eventually descend into the Waterpocket Fold.

22. 22

    Stop 22

    20 min

    Utah’s largest national forest stretches across mountains, plateaus, forests, and colorful canyon country. Drive beneath towering ponderosa pines and quaking aspens while watching the landscape change dramatically from the hot desert below to cool high-elevation forests.

23. 23

    Stop 23

    15 min

    Pause at this elevated viewpoint for a broad look across southern Utah’s rugged high country. Sweeping forests, distant cliffs, and layered desert landscapes show how dramatically the terrain changes as Highway 12 climbs across the Aquarius Plateau.

24. 24

    Stop 24

    10 min

    Take in a vast panorama of the valleys, mesas, and desert country stretching far below Boulder Mountain. On clear days, the immense view reveals the scale of southern Utah and offers a striking contrast between forested highlands and the arid landscape beyond.

25. 25

    Stop 25

    10 min

    One of Highway 12’s grandest viewpoints, Larb Hollow looks across an enormous expanse of cliffs, canyons, and distant desert formations. Stop here to appreciate the scale of the Waterpocket Fold country and the seemingly endless wilderness surrounding Capitol Reef.

26. 26

    Capitol Reef National Park

    20 min

    Centered around the enormous Waterpocket Fold, Capitol Reef protects a landscape of colorful cliffs, domes, canyons, and historic orchards. Explore scenic drives, ancient petroglyphs, and the pioneer community of Fruita while discovering how millions of years of uplift and erosion shaped this remarkable park.

27. 27

    Teasdale

    10 min

    Set beneath Boulder Mountain, Teasdale developed as a small agricultural community surrounded by orchards, fields, and spectacular red-rock scenery. Pass through this peaceful town while learning how settlers relied on farming and livestock to build lives in southern Utah.

28. 28

    Torrey

    15 min

    This welcoming gateway town sits just west of Capitol Reef National Park beneath dramatic cliffs and high mountain scenery. Stop for restaurants, lodging, and supplies, or simply enjoy the transition from the quiet streets of Torrey into the spectacular landscapes of the national park.

29. 29

    Escalante Interagency Visitor Center

    10 min

    A useful gateway to Grand Staircase–Escalante, this visitor center helps travelers understand the monument’s enormous and often remote landscape. Stop for maps, trail information, safety advice, and exhibits about the geology, wildlife, archaeology, and human history of the region.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to Access: After booking you’ll receive an email and text with instructions (search “Download Audio Tour”). Click the link in the email/text to sign in with your preferred Apple or Google account and redeem your voucher code ahead of time.
• Download The GuideAlong App: Download the free app over WiFi or cellular data and sign in with the same Apple or Google account.
• Download The Tour: Download the tour in the GuideAlong app under 'My Tours' over WiFi or cellular data.
• Start The Tour: Open the tour in the GuideAlong app to preview the start locations, tour route and trip planner, or start the tour.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.