Exploring Escalante, Utah with Kids (From Slot Canyons to Waterfalls & More)
- Arika Bauer
- Jul 20
- 7 min read
If you’re seeking a southern Utah getaway for the family, the town of Escalante is a fantastic spot to make your home base for visiting Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The landscape here is breathtaking, and the kiddos will love the easy but epic Escalante hikes, including waterfalls, rivers, and slot canyons to explore.
Have a Family-Friendly Adventure in Escalante, UT
I recently took my kiddos on a little road trip to explore all the fun things to do in Escalante, Utah, and we had a blast. This area is a great getaway only about 3 hours from Zion National Park, and the Escalante hikes are very family-friendly and fun. Here are all the places to visit around Escalante that are kid-approved!
Kodachrome Basin State Park
About 45 minutes outside of Escalante, Kodachrome Basin State Park is a hidden gem in southern Utah with a unique landscape featuring 67 stone spires (known as sedimentary pipes) made of multicolored sandstone. The colors of the rocks are so vibrant that the area was named after the Kodak color film in 1948, so definitely bring your camera to capture it!
If you’re looking for some great Escalante hikes for the kiddos in Kodachrome Basin, check out the Angel’s Palace loop and the double loop Panorama Trail. Angel’s Palace is just a short 1.5 mile hike, so it’s the perfect family-friendly way to see some of the best views in the park. The Panorama Trail is longer at 6 miles, but still doable for the older kids, and it takes you to the scenic Panorama Point along with several of Kodachrome Basin’s signature sandstone spires.
Local tip: The day-use entrance fee for Kodachrome Basin State Park is $10/vehicle.
Willis Creek
The trailhead for Willis Creek is just a bit of a drive past Kodachrome Basin, so it’s easy to make a day of Escalante, Utah hiking if you hit both. Willis Creek is an easy slot canyon where you can choose how far you want to explore, making it ideal for kids who might not want to hike very far.
The whole trail is 4.8 miles round trip, but the best narrows are in the first mile and a half or so. And even when the canyon narrows, it’s still a fairly wide wash that is not difficult for kids to navigate. No matter how much of the canyon you see, it’s stunning with the White Cliffs with walls of sandstone towering over you.
Find my full list of stunning slot canyons in southern Utah to explore here!
Escalante River
I could have easily overlooked the Escalante River Trail when I was planning our trip to Escalante because I actually didn’t see much info for the trail online during my research. But I’m so glad we didn’t miss this hike!
You can follow a defined trail along the banks, but we ended up hiking in the river the majority of the time. The water isn’t deep, so it’s amazing for wading through to stay cool during the summer. The Escalante River Trail is fantastic for the whole family, because the kids will love all the fun places to stop and play in the water, and the adults will appreciate the beautiful views the whole way.
Even if you aren’t down for an actual hike, I highly recommend bringing the kiddos here to splash around in the water on a hot summer day.
Lower Calf Creek Falls
Lower Calf Creek Falls trail takes you to the top of an absolutely incredible waterfall, and it is by far one of the best Escalante hikes. Though this is a bit of a longer hike with kids at 6 miles round-trip, if you go early in the morning and take plenty of snacks and water, you can make it happen. And it’s totally worth the effort, because this hike is such a fun one and just so freaking beautiful!
Along the trail to the waterfall, pay attention because you’ll pass a couple granaries, some beaver dams, and a large pictograph that you’ll want to check out. When you reach the waterfall, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the water flowing more than 100 feet over the sandstone cliff to the pool below.
Even though it’s a little long, the hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls is relatively easy with very little elevation gain, so the kiddos should be able to handle it. Just expect to be hiking in deep sand some of the time, and be aware that it gets super hot in the summer, so I recommend going early to beat the heat. You can also take a nice break to cool off in the mist at the waterfall, and even jump in the pool and swim under the waterfall if you want before hiking back out.
Local tip: There is a $5/vehicle day use fee at the trailhead.
Peekaboo/Spooky Canyons
We didn’t have a chance to hike Peek-a-Boo and Spooky slot canyons on this visit to Escalante because it was so hot, and my girls were maxed out after hiking Lower Calf Creek. But these popular canyons are totally worth checking out if you're in Escalante if you have the time and energy. The trailhead for these slot canyons is about an hour southeast of Escalante in the Dry Fork area of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
You can combine both canyons on a 6-mile loop hike or you can just pick one if that’s too much for your kids. Each canyon is fun in its own way, with Peek-a-Boo Canyon being a corkscrewing slot while Spooky Canyon gets quite narrow, which should be fun for the kiddos to squeeze through—but can be a bit tight for the adults!
Local tip: There is also a completely different Peek-a-Boo Canyon in Kanab, UT, so don’t confuse them!
Devils Garden
Devils Garden is practically a playground for kids, and it’s just a 25-minute drive from Escalante on Hole-in-the-Rock Road. At Devils Garden, you’ll discover amazing rock formations including hoodoos, domes, arches, and narrow passageways made of Navajo sandstone. Believe me, the kids will have so much fun running around and exploring here, that you might have to drag them away when it’s time to go!
The formations are really easy to get to, which is crucial if you’re visiting in the heat of the summer. Even when it’s hot, walking around for a bit is still doable because you don’t have to follow an actual hiking trail, you can just explore. Be sure to bring your camera for some awesome photos here!
Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon National Park is only an hour away from Escalante, so you really should pay a visit with the kiddos. My favorite family-friendly hike in the park is the Mossy Cave Trail, which is just under a mile and follows Water Canyon, giving you great views of the iconic hoodoos that Bryce is known for. The Navajo Loop Trail is my other favorite easy trail in Bryce, and it will take you through Wall Street, the only slot canyon in the park.
Also, be sure to check out Sunset Point for truly spectacular views of the landscape of Bryce. This overlook doesn’t require a hike, so it’s the perfect way to end your visit to the park if the kids are getting tired.
Read more about my suggested one-day itinerary in Bryce Canyon with kids here!
Where to Stay in Escalante with Kids
Ofland Escalante
Honestly, I love Ofland Escalante so much that I would recommend it for any kind of visit to the area, but this place is extra cool if you’re traveling with kids! Ofland has a drive-in movie theater with a concession stand, a great pool, an outdoor communal space, a food truck with soft-serve ice cream cones…this place is just so, so great for families, and my kiddos were absolutely in heaven!
Plus, the location is ideal for exploring everything in Escalante, and it offers a bunch of different unique accommodation options so you can pick what works for your family. Your choices range from cabins, airstreams, and campsites for vans or tents.
There are Tiny Cabins that are perfect for two people, but a Deluxe Cabin offered more room for my kiddos and I. The cabins feature glass walls or panoramic windows, so you always get a spectacular view of the landscape even when you’re inside.
Where to Eat in Escalante with Kids
On my girls trip to Escalante, we headed on a scenic drive to Hell’s Backbone Grill + Farm for an incredible 5-star foodie dinner, but with the kiddos, I kept it much more casual for our meals.
Kiva Koffeehouse
If you need to fuel up before or after hiking Lower Calf Creek or the Escalante River Trail, you absolutely must make a pit stop at Kiva Koffeehouse which is just minutes from both trailheads. The coffee is excellent, and the food is mouth-watering and hearty enough to fill you up for a hike.
The menu at this awesome cafe changes daily and offers something for everyone, including those with dietary restrictions (and picky kids). Plus, you can soak in truly incredible views while you eat.
Note: Kiva Koffeehouse is closed on Mondays & Tuesdays.
Escalante Outfitters
For lunch or dinner with the kiddos in Escalante, you can’t beat Escalante Outfitters. Don’t be fooled by the name—not only is it a great outdoor gear store, but the food at the restaurant is delicious, too! They specialize in tasty pizza so you know the kids will love it, and they use local ingredients to create unique pizzas like my favorite, the Big Horn with olive tapenade, prosciutto, ham, goat cheese, and roasted tomato. They also offer salads and sandwiches, along with a selection of local Utah beer if you need a third-quencher.
Ofland Food Truck
One of the perks of staying at Ofland Escalante is the convenient on-site food truck! Whether you’re heading out for a hike or winding down after a day of exploring, you can grab a tasty breakfast or dinner without ever leaving the property. The food truck serves up breakfast every morning and dinner each evening—closed on Tuesdays—with favorites like breakfast sandwiches (maybe the best breakfast sandwich of my life!), burgers, and even soft serve. It’s a delicious and easy option that adds to the laid-back charm of your stay.
Ofland DIY Meal Kit
Planning a cozy evening under the stars? Ofland Escalante’s meal kits have you covered. Each kit comes complete with your choice of protein, delicious sides, and even s’mores for dessert. We’ve done all the prep work—so the only thing left to master is building the campfire (but don’t worry, we can help with that too!). Perfect for a stress-free, memorable meal surrounded by nature.
Hope this helps you plan an awesome family getaway to explore Escalante, UT with kids!
Happy Adventuring,
Arika
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