The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is an area of plateaus, sandstone canyon, unique rock formations and cliffs in southern Utah. The 1.7 million acres of desert became the nation's newest national monument in September 1996.

The monument extends eastward from Bryce Canyon National park to Capitol Reef National Park and the and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It borders the Dixie National Forest on the north and extends southward to the Arizona State line. Scenic Byway 12 winds through the northern portion, and backways branching from Highway 12 provide access to trails and features in the monument.

The Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument is located near the beautiful parks of Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park, Lake Powell National Recreation Area, and Canyonlands National Park . For further travel information on these areas click on these links or visit the Grand Circle travel packets' web site.