Best things to do in Escalante & Bryce Canyon: 5-day Itinerary

I’ve been to Utah before, but only to ski. This was my first time exploring the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and the nearby Bryce Canyon National Park… I honestly didn’t expect to be completely blown away! The vast, untouched landscapes of Escalante, the hoodoos of Bryce, and the dark night skies in both places left me speechless 🤯.

We flew into Salt Lake City and drove to Grand Staircase-Escalante, spending the first two nights there and exploring epic viewpoints and hidden trails in the area. Then we headed to Bryce Canyon for two more nights of bucket-list adventures, unforgettable stargazing, and a few magical surprises, like my first-ever glamping stay and a meditative breathwork session that left me feeling deeply connected with nature, myself, and the universe!

If you’re dreaming of adventure and love comfort travel (I do!), Escalante and Bryce Canyon deliver both – from luxe glamping with private bathrooms and hot showers to tiny homes that were actually bigger than our NYC apartment (LOL!).

In this guide, I’ll share my firsthand tips on where to go, what to do, and how to experience Escalante and Bryce Canyon exactly how I did it and how you can, too.

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Why Escalante & Bryce Canyon Belong on Your Bucket List

Some places you visit once and carry with you forever. Others you’ll want to return to again and again. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Bryce Canyon National Park fall into the second category.

Escalante is wild, with its canyons, slot hikes, and waterfalls hidden in the desert. It’s the kind of place where you can walk for hours without seeing another soul, feeling like you’ve discovered a secret corner of the Earth.

Just an hour away, Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos feel surreal. These flame-colored rock spires will blow your mind. The park holds the world’s largest concentration of these unique formations, creating a landscape you won’t see anywhere else on Earth. Unlike Zion or the Grand Canyon, Bryce is easy to explore in 1–3 days without feeling rushed.

With four distinct seasons, each brings its own magic: locals told us the contrast of red rock and fresh snow in winter is absolutely breathtaking 🥹 Add its official Dark Sky status, and nights here are just as unforgettable as the days.

Together, they’re an unforgettable pairing: Escalante invites you to slow down, wander, and soak in nature’s quiet magic, while Bryce delivers the drama and iconic views.

From bucket-list hikes to jaw-dropping stargazing, these Utah gems will leave you inspired, humbled, and already planning your return. I know I am.

5-Day Escalante & Bryce Canyon Itinerary

If you’re ready to plan your own adventure, here’s exactly how we spent 5 days between Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bryce Canyon: the routes, the must-see spots, and the moments that made it unforgettable.

We flew into Salt Lake City (SLC), and from there, it’s about a 5-hour scenic drive to Escalante, where we started our trip.

Day 1: Arrival in Escalante + Settling In

We flew into Salt Lake City, then boarded a private, spacious van from Southwest Adventure Tours with plenty of room for luggage, comfy seats, and big windows for soaking up Utah’s wide-open views. If you’d rather hire someone than drive yourself, I’d highly recommend our incredible driver-guide Michelle, who brought the high desert to life with stories of geology, history, and local culture. We couldn’t resist asking about Mormon life… curious to know if it’s really like the reality shows (LOL) and Michelle gave us honest, fascinating answers that made the drive even more memorable.

Check-In: Escalante Escapes
While there are other options in the area (I’ll share three more later), we spent the first two nights at Escalante Escapes and I personally loved it. Nine modern, stylish tiny homes right off Scenic Byway 12, the famous road connecting Bryce Canyon, Escalante, and Capitol Reef. I expected tiny, but each home was honestly bigger than our NYC apartment! Full country-style kitchen with dishwasher, cozy living room, washer/dryer, and a private deck with a fire pit. Quiet, intimate, and perfect for stargazing.

Dinner: 4th West Pub
You’ll only find one pub on Scenic Highway 12… and this is it! Great vibes, local beers, delicious nachos, and tasty snacks. You might even end up playing foosball. Family-run, with warm staff and a laid-back atmosphere. Exactly what your first night on the road should feel like. Perfect for easing into the altitude (about 5,800 ft here), so drink plenty of water and take it easy.

Day 2: Escalante’s Hidden Gems

First Stop: Head of the Rocks Overlook
Before breakfast, Michelle pulled over for one of those jaw-dropping road-trip moments. We stepped out onto the overlook (an easy, paved, accessible path) and the Escalante Canyons opened up in waves of colorful slickrock. If you’re starting your day here, make this your first stop. Take your photo, take a breath, and soak it all in.

Breakfast: Kiva Koffeehouse
This is the kind of hidden gem you’ll miss if you don’t know it’s there… literally! Built into the cliffs, it’s not visible from the road, so make sure to pin it on Google Maps. The sign alone will make you stop: it’s beautifully crafted, framed by a jaw-dropping red rock backdrop. Inside, grab a seat by the window for panoramic canyon views. I had a cappuccino and a delicious croissant and couldn’t stop admiring the shelves of artisanal, locally made products. If you go, say hi to Rocky for me.

Mid-Morning: Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
My dad’s a geologist, so I’ve always felt at home among ancient rocks and fossils. Walking through petrified trees left me speechless! Enjoy an easy 2-mile hike and make sure to hit the Sleeping Rainbows Trail, a steep 0.75-mile extension off the main loop that reveals the most vibrant logs in the park, with hues born from minerals like iron, copper, and manganese. I never saw rocks so pretty!!!!  My friend Tess actually wrote about it and has been telling me we have to join her and her husband for their next national park hike… I’m definitely in!

Lunch: Escalante Outfitters Café
This was the food highlight of our Utah trip. This cozy café doubles as a market, gear shop, and lodging hub… and even a liquor store! I had a delicious salad, and I’m honestly mad I didn’t leave enough space for their pizza… it looked irresistible (note to self: must return). Francesca, our server, was super kind and friendly, and the owner’s passion for the land was impossible to miss. They’ve been part of the Escalante community for 20 years, spanning three generations, baking from scratch, sourcing local produce, running tours, and guiding visitors through the area’s geology, wildlife, and paleontology. Bonus: they’re fully licensed to sell wine and liquor – not common in Utah!

Dinner & S’mores: Ofland Escalante
This place felt like stepping into wonderland: part glamping retreat, part creative playground. We toured the property and found three unique ways to stay:
– Vintage Airstreams: retro trailers with skylights, mini-fridge, sink, and a fire pit right outside.
– Tiny cabins: modern, desert-style with 11-ft glass walls, queen bed, mini-fridge.
– Deluxe cabins: glamping luxury with private bathrooms, kitchenettes, pull-up parking, outdoor showers, private fire pits, and panoramic views.

While the Deluxe Cabins have their own private bathrooms, the Vintage Airstreams and Tiny Cabins share spa-style bathhouses and heated outdoor showers.

They also have a pool, a hot tub, and seasonal outdoor movies in vintage cars complete with drive-in-style seating… How cool is that?

We grabbed dinner from the food truck (I had an amazing mushroom burger), then ended the night making s’mores around the fire. I tried my first Reese’s Peanut Butter s’more: sweet, nostalgic, and everything I didn’t know I needed. Sooo good!!!

Day 3: Breathwork, Dining Under the Dome, Horseback at Bryce Canyon & Check-In at Under Canvas

Morning & Lunch: Meditative Breathwork at Clear Sky Resorts + Sky Nova Café Bar & Grill
Check out Escalante Escape and stop for lunch at Clear Sky Resorts, the kind of place where the stars feel close enough to touch, a stargazer’s dream in a private canyon just outside Bryce, and sign up for one of their classes. You don’t have to be a guest to join.

We took an amazing guided breathwork session led by Acacia that left me in awe. I’m not new to this type of work, but this time it hit differently. I completely surrendered to the high-desert energy while Acacia guided every inhale and exhale, feeling the music’s vibrations through my body. I moved and danced around without thinking, my heart opened, and tears of pure joy rolled down my face. Acacia’s gentle touch at the end felt like pure love. One of the most magical moments I’ve ever experienced.

Everyone talks about Sedona’s vortex… we wondered if there’s one here too ✨

After class, we had lunch at Sky Nova Café Bar & Grill, one of the world’s largest glass-dome restaurants, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the desert. You can dine inside or outside… either way, the views are unreal.

We also peeked inside one of their incredible glass domes: cozy sanctuaries with sweeping canyon views that feel like sleeping inside a snow globe, under the stars. This place is calling my soul. I need to come back for a few nights here, and definitely more classes!!! If you’re into wellness, inner work, and luxe accommodations, save this spot now.

Afternoon: Horseback Riding at Bryce Canyon
If you’re into riding, saddle up with Ruby’s Horseback Adventures for a scenic ride that will leave you speechless. We did a short, easy ride winding through the red-rock trails of Dixie National Forest and it already felt amazing, though I would have loved to go deeper, through narrow canyons and hidden trails 🥹. I used to ride back in high school, and now I take every chance I get to get back in the saddle.

Ruby’s also offers half-day rides that explore Losee Canyon up close, and even all-day adventures through Red Canyon and Grand Staircase territory. If you’re ready to get off the beaten path and into those narrow canyon walls, I’d book one of these longer rides – I definitely want to go back for that!

Optional for the Evening: Attend a Rodeo
While we did not have the chance to attend, we found out that Ruby’s Inn hosts nightly rodeos from Wednesday through Saturday all summer long. You can watch bronc riding, barrel racing, and steer roping… real cowboy action under the open sky! We heard about it from 13-year-old Max, who was riding with us for part of the trail while taking one of the horses out for exercise… and casually mentioned he’d be competing that night, we were so excited for him! Make sure to add it to your schedule and report back… I can’t wait to go back and experience it myself as well 🤩

Check-In: Under Canvas Bryce Canyon
I arrived skeptical: no connection, no power, no heat, and showers with pull chains… Please don’t get me wrong, I know that having a real bed, hot water, and a private bathroom in your own tent is already a luxury for those who camp, but I’ve honestly “camped” only once in my life… and lasted 30 minutes before heading home – LOL – and yet, I’d glamp again at Under Canvas… I loved it!!!

We also had delicious breakfast and dinner savoring fresh, locally inspired dishes with the high-desert sky as our ceiling, and ended our evenings sharing s’mores by the fire. They also offer many programs from stargazing to painting workshops, yoga, live music, and game nights, and they have a camp-style coffee setup in the lobby tent. Honestly, it’s everything you need.

Every tent (Deluxe, Suite, or star-gazing) is furnished with a king size bed, seven layers of blankets (it felt heavenly!), portable lighting, ample battery packs for your personal electronic devices, and a wood-burning stove to keep you warm at night. I actually chose to ask for a heated water bowl Instead, as suggested by Avril, the sweet young staffer who accompanied me to my tent – she also added I could have called anyone from the staff at any time of the day/night if I wanted to get the fire start and couldn’t do it on my own. It felt SOOO good sleeping in colder temperatures (dipping to the mid-to-upper 40s °F at night) hugging that warm bowl!!!

Bryce Canyon is one of the best places in the country to see the Milky Way!!! We spent the second night on my deck stargazing, fascinated by the Milky Way stretching across so perfectly clear you almost expect a star to drop into your palm. And yes, I even saw two falling stars!!! 💫We also tried naming constellations, and Kaitlin got really creative – LOL. We would have used a constellation app if only the connection was working… Tip for your stay: take a screenshot of the app in advance!

Surrounded by junipers and stunning mountain views, and just 15 minutes from Bryce Canyon, Under Canvas is built for stargazers and adventurers. If you’re an early riser like me, open your tent in the morning, dare the chill, and expect one of the most magical sunrises!!!

Day 4: Leisure Morning, E-Bike Adventure, and Dinner with a View

Slow Morning or Early Hike
If you’re up for an early hike, there’s a fabulous option within walking distance from the property: the Mesa Trail, with quiet desert views all to yourself. Or hop in the car for a few minutes and head to Mossy Cave Trail for stunning red rock scenery and a seasonal waterfall away from the crowds. Just make sure you’re back before 10 a.m. to indulge in breakfast at the resort… my avocado toast was exactly what I needed. If you want to skip the hike entirely, you can enjoy a beautiful slow morning journaling or reading in one of their hammocks.

Mid-Afternoon: Scenic E-Bike Ride with Bryce Canyon EZ Riders
Hop on an e-bike and hit any of the park’s top viewpoints: Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, or Inspiration Point. It’s the easiest way to see Bryce Canyon, especially with throttle mode (basically a moped-style boost). Even using it generously, the battery lasts long enough for a full ride. The shop is just outside the park entrance, and rentals include helmets, locks, and even kid trailers if you’re making it a family adventure.  Two hours flies by, and it’s plenty to soak up some jaw-dropping scenery.

We reached Sunrise Point in under 30 minutes, and I was mind-blown. I’d never seen anything like it, and didn’t even expect to. From up there, the hoodoos stretch endlessly, spires of fire and stone frozen in time. Red, orange, and golds blaze together in a mystical view that makes you forget time exists. It felt like stepping onto another planet.

Next time, I’m coming back for a sunrise hike, to watch the pink cliffs glow with the first light of the day and soak it all in.

Evening: Dinner at Stone Hearth Grille
A short drive from Bryce, this place offers fine dining with those iconic Utah red rock views. You can choose from premium steaks, fresh seafood, and seasonal local ingredients… every plate as beautiful as the view. The vibe is warm, welcoming, and upscale without being stuffy. We watched the sky turn gold to deep blue over dinner, and it felt like the perfect ending to the day.

Day 5:

Start your morning with one last sunrise view from Under Canvas. Let that wide-open sky say goodbye before you begin your journey home.

Head to Cowboy’s Smokehouse Café & Steakhouse for your final hearty breakfast, with choices like slow-smoked meats, tangy BBQ sauces, and that warm small-town charm. Panguitch is full of personality, and I wish we’d had more time to wander its cute little shops.

If you’re craving a TASTY coffee, matcha, or something sweet, swing by Wanderlust Cowgirl Coffee, a tiny-but-mighty café nearby known for handcrafted brews and homemade pastries like cinnamon rolls and kolaches. The perfect cozy cup for a sweet farewell to Utah. Pure, simple joy.

Travel Is the People You Meet Along the Way

This 5-day adventure wouldn’t have been the same without the people who shared it with me. It was an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind group, each person adding their own spark through personality, kindness, and heart. I’m linking them all here (in alphabetical order) so you can follow them as well if you feel inspired, because they’re genuinely remarkable human beings: Alexa, Alicia, Cait, Cynthia, Kaitlin, Melanie, Melissa, and Warren.

A special shout-out to Michelle from Southwest Adventure Tours – warmth, kindness and fun energy made the trip shine even brighter.

I’m feeling deeply grateful and blissed to have crossed paths with every single one of you! 💛

Thank you again Bryce Canyon Country and Zimmerman for having me!!!

Getting to Bryce Canyon & Escalante + Travel Tips

Getting There:
✈️ The two closest airports are Salt Lake City International Airport and Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (about 4–5 hours from your final destination).
🚗 Rent a car or join a guided experience with local experts. Most attractions are spread out and public transport is limited. A guided tour handles all the driving, logistics, and insider tips for you. We had a wonderful experience with Southwest Adventure Tours thanks to our amazing driver, Michelle. I couldn’t recommend her enough.

Best Time to Visit:
Spring & Fall (April–June, Sept–Oct) for cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and golden light for photos.
Summer brings warm days and busy trails — start hikes early.
Winter offers a snow-dusted wonderland but pack layers.

Where to Stay:
During this trip, I stayed at Escalante Escapes and Under Canvas Bryce Canyon, and I also toured Clear Sky Resort and Ofland Escalante (see more in the 5-day itinerary section). Each had its own personality, from luxury glamping under the stars to stylish cabins and unique themed stays, and I would honestly recommend them all!

Packing Essentials:
– Layered clothing (including fleece, pullover, and a rain jacket): mornings and nights can be chilly, afternoons warm
– Hiking outfit (including long-sleeve hiking tops), shorts, skorts, leggings, , tops and dresses
– Refillable water bottle
– Sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, hats
– Hiking shoes with good grip, boots, and sneakers
– Small backpack
– Portable Charger
– First Aid Essentials
– Snacks

Need to Know:
Bryce Canyon National Park requires an entrance fee of $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days) or $20 per person without a car. No entrance fee is required to visit Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, however, free permits are required for overnight camping, available at visitor centers or trailhead kiosks. If you plan to visit multiple national parks within 12 months, consider the America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80: it covers entrance to over 2,000 federal recreation sites across the U.S. and pays for itself in just 2–3 park visits 😎

Final Thoughts on Bryce Canyon & Escalante… And Why You’ll Want to Come Back

I’m 100% sure Bryce Canyon and Escalante will blow your mind the way they blew mine. Five days here is enough to see the highlights, savor the local flavors, and fill your camera roll with unforgettable moments, however, it will also leave you wanting to come back for more!

I hope this itinerary inspires you to plan your own trip. If I’ve missed anything, drop your tips in the comments so we can make this guide even better 🥰

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