Chimney Rock ~ Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

The lengthy dirt road to the historic Hole In The Rock wagon train shortcut begins on Highway 12 next to the town of Escalante, Utah. A trip down this dirt pathway is guaranteed to be a mind jarring experience, simply because there are washboard ripples the size of speed bumps all the way to Bullfrog Ferry Crossing at Lake Powell near the end of the line. For this reason, a high ground clearance vehicle is recommended for points of interest along this road, which include Egypt Canyon, Devils Garden and the picturesque Chimney Rock Scenic Area. 

Fortunately there are plenty of dispersed camping opportunities along the Hole In The Rock Road, so the long trip can be broken into a less painful two day drive. Camping on sight also is best for getting an early start when exploring the scenic areas. This is especially true for Egypt Canyon adventures, since this is a premium rock climbing and canyoneering destination. Chimney Roack is just a little further down the road and this too is a scenic spot where an entire day can be spent soaking up the beautiful high desert surroundings.

For those who drive a 4x4, camping at Chimney Rock will also be an option. The dirt side roads to Chimney Rock are extra silty, so a high ground clearance 4x4 with deep tire treads is recommended for this venture. The entire Chimney Rock Scenic Area can be viewed from the Hole In The Rock Road, so this landmark is also within an easy hiking distance. This end of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument definitely is one of the most unforgiving remote places on earth, but as mentioned earlier, there is plenty of daily traffic so getting completely stranded is not a bother. The Chimney Rock Scenic Area is well worth checking out, so be sure to set some time aside when exploring the Hole In The Rock region!
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