Hole in the Rock Road
Around Escalante - Utah
Our visits: So far 4 visits in November 2009, October 2014, October 2018, June 2023
Note: On dirt roads, road conditions can change constantly. Therefore, we strongly recommend that everyone check the road conditions before each trip. The most current information is usually available on the BLM website in Escalante.
GSENM-Road-Condition-Report
Hole in the Rock Road
Description: The Hole in the Rock Road (HitRR) was established in 1879 by followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the leaders decided to settle new areas, an expedition was launched to find suitable routes to these new settlement areas. During this expedition, a rock passage was found that provided access to the Colorado River. The settlers called this crack the Hole in the Rock. However, it took several months to make the passage usable for the settlers, cattle and wagons. Taking several detours, the settlers finally reached their intended destination in 1880 and founded the town of Bluff. Since an easier route to cross the Colorado was discovered a little later (at today's Halls Crossing), the Hole in the Rock Trail increasingly fell into oblivion.
It wasn't until Lake Powell was developed and more and more people started using the area for tourism that the Hole in the Rock Road became increasingly important again.
Today's road is about 99km long and unpaved throughout. It has numerous side roads that provide access to many great destinations within the Grand Staircase Escalante NM and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. In dry conditions, the road is usually in good shape. For the last 7 miles up to the Hole in the Rock, 4-wheel drive and high clearance are recommended. You can find out about the condition of the road at the BLM Visitor Center in Escalante.
Our rating: The road itself is not particularly exciting. If you just drive along the road, there are also no particularly extraordinary landscapes, but...
... the road offers through many side routes, access to great and spectacular canyons, arches and simply great hikes, which you can enjoy very often in peace and without crowds.
The last 7 miles
Description: Since we had a Jeep Wrangler with 4-wheel drive in June 2023, we wanted to take a look at the last 7mi of the road.
Our rating: The road here is much rougher, stonier, steeper and sometimes sandier. High ground clearance is definitely necessary and in some places a 4-wheel drive is also very helpful. The road in this area is far off from the Hole in the Rock Road, which is mostly kept in good condition. However, with a suitable vehicle it is quite fun to drive here.
Highlights along the HitRR, which we visited and described in more detail
Since many locations are on dirt roads, it is always important to keep an eye on the road conditions as well. Even though the conditions on the dirt roads can change almost every hour, you can check here the condition at the Hole in the Rock Road.
Devils Garden
Dry Fork Slot Canyons
Dance Hall Rock
