Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
1-2 Hours
Spring, Fall
Free
Overview
When we planned our visit to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, Devil’s Garden was not originally on our itinerary. We knew we wanted to experience the incredible scenery along Hole-in-the-Rock Road, but after stopping at the visitor center and talking with the rangers, this unique destination quickly moved to the top of our list.
Located along the famous Hole-in-the-Rock Road, Devil’s Garden is a natural playground filled with towering hoodoos, mushroom rocks, balancing boulders, narrow passages, small arches, and natural arches carved from Entrada Sandstone. Unlike some destinations that require a long hike or difficult trail, Devil’s Garden is a great place for families because visitors can explore at their own pace along well-worn footpaths and marked trails.
Best of all, this incredible area is completely free to visit and offers some of the most unique sandstone formations in the entire Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
Devil’s Garden is located within a part of a protected area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Over millions of years, wind, water, and erosion slowly shaped the soft Entrada Sandstone into the fascinating hoodoos, arches, fins, and balancing rocks visitors see today.
The formations were created during the early Jurassic period, when layers of sandstone were deposited and later sculpted by natural forces. Today, visitors can wander through this outdoor landscape filled with caprock layers, slender caprock formations, and incredible desert scenery.
While some visitors compare the landscape to places like Goblin Valley State Park or even the dramatic scenery found near Arches National Park, Devil’s Garden has its own unique character. The combination of hoodoos, natural arches, and open desert views makes it one of the most memorable stops in the Escalante area.
The view as we pulled up to the Devil’s Garden area
NPS sign for Devil’s Garden
Devil's Garden Outstanding Natural Area Plan
Our original plan was simply to spend the day exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument during our southern Utah road trip. We always like to begin at the visitor center so our boys can pick up their Junior Ranger booklets, earn another badge, collect our National Park Passport stamp, and ask the rangers for recommendations.
The rangers immediately suggested Devil’s Garden as a family-friendly stop along Hole-in-the-Rock Road. They explained that it was an easy adventure with incredible rock formations and did not require a long hike. They were absolutely right. It quickly became one of our favorite stops during our visit.
Tyler and Ryan fueling up for our adventures
There are picnic tables in the parking area, so we had a picnic lunch before exploring
Getting There
Location
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is located in southern Utah between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park. The monument covers nearly two million acres across one of the most spectacular desert landscapes in the United States.
The area features colorful cliffs, slot canyons, waterfalls, arches, scenic drives, wilderness areas, and breathtaking views throughout Garfield County and the surrounding Escalante area.
Devil’s Garden is located approximately 12 miles down Hole-in-the-Rock Road, an unpaved dirt road that begins just outside the town of Escalante along Utah’s Scenic Byway 12. The road is also part of one of the most famous routes in the monument, eventually leading toward destinations such as Coyote Gulch and Lake Powell.
Tyler and Ryan on one of the many large stones
Just some of the formations we saw at Devil’s Garden
Best Time to Go
The best time to visit Devil’s Garden is during spring and fall when temperatures are comfortable for exploring southern Utah.
Spring offers cooler weather and beautiful desert landscapes, while fall provides pleasant hiking conditions and incredible late afternoon lighting. Summer temperatures can become extremely hot, especially during midday, and winter may bring snow, ice, or muddy road conditions.
For the best experience, arrive in the early morning or visit in the late afternoon when the sun creates dramatic shadows across the sandstone formations.
Always check current conditions before traveling, especially after storms.
Ryan, Stephanie, Tyler, and Justin
Even though we weren’t in Arches National Park, we still saw a few arches in the sandstone
Devil's Garden Outstanding Natural Area
Who Can Go?
Devil’s Garden is one of the most family-friendly attractions in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Families with kids will love climbing around the natural playground, photographers will appreciate the unique formations, and casual visitors can enjoy the scenery without committing to a long hike.
The terrain is uneven, sandy, and rocky, but most visitors can explore comfortably with sturdy shoes and careful footing.
The view from underneath one of the arches
Looking out at the desert from beside a large formation
What You'll See
Exploring Devil’s Garden feels like walking through a giant outdoor sculpture garden. Visitors will discover:
- Hoodoos of Devil’s Garden
- Mushroom rocks
- Natural arches
- Small arches
- Sandstone fins
- Balancing rocks
- Narrow passages
- Slick rock surfaces
- Caprock layers
- Unique Entrada Sandstone formations
Some of the most recognizable features include Mano Arch, the slender sandstone formations around the garden, and the incredible rock towers rising throughout the area.
The center of the Devil’s Garden contains some of the most impressive formations, where visitors can wander among towering hoodoos, arches, and sandstone structures.
Grandma with her boys
More formations and desert landscape
What to Bring & Wear
Bring everything you would normally pack for exploring the Utah desert:
- Plenty of water
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Snacks
- Camera
- Sturdy hiking shoes with good traction
- Layers for changing temperatures
The desert sun is intense, and there is very little shade. A picnic area with picnic tables is available near the parking area, making Devil’s Garden a convenient picnic site during a longer adventure day.
The view through another archway
The boulders were massive
Where to Go
To reach Devil’s Garden, drive east from Escalante and turn onto Hole-in-the-Rock Road. The first several miles are generally accessible for most vehicles, although conditions can change quickly depending on weather.
The drive includes a bumpy ride over an unpaved Hole-in-the-Rock Road, so allow extra time and check road conditions before leaving. After rain, sections of the dirt road can become muddy and difficult to navigate.
A high-clearance vehicle is helpful for exploring farther down the road, but Devil’s Garden itself is one of the easier stops along this route.
Follow the official route and watch for the signed turnoff leading to the Devil’s Garden area. The parking lot includes a large parking area, making this an easy short side trip during a day exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante.
The large walls made us feel so small
Huge boulder formations
How Long Does it Take?
Most visitors spend between 30 minutes and 2 hours exploring Devil’s Garden. Families, photographers, and anyone who enjoys discovering new rock formations may easily spend longer.
Because there are no set trails requiring a specific route, you can make this visit as quick or leisurely as you want.
Tyler and Ryan sitting on one of the small boulders
Another view at one of the archways in the Devil’s Garden Area
Cost
There is no entrance fee to visit Devil’s Garden or Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Parking is free.
The 5 of us in the shade of one of the formations
There were a few desert trees and shrubs in the vicinity, but it was mostly large rock formations
Tips for Devil's Garden Outstanding Natural Area
- Visit early morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and better photography.
- Stop at the visitor center first for maps and current road conditions.
- Complete the Junior Ranger program while visiting the monument.
- Carry more water than you think you'll need.
- Wear sturdy shoes with good traction.
- Watch children carefully while climbing.
- Avoid visiting after heavy rain because Hole-in-the-Rock Road can become muddy.
- Do not climb on fragile formations.
- Pack out everything you bring.
- Practice Leave No Trace principles.
- Bring a wide-angle camera lens for capturing the massive sandstone formations.