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 Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is
partly named for the Escalante River, which flows from
Boulder Mountain to the Colorado River. Deep canyons
and gorges have been carved over eons of time. These
sandstone labyinths with unusual rock shapes and slot
canyons offer some of the best hiking and backpacking
in the world.