Why choose this tour ?
Recommended: Purchase one tour per car, not per person. Everyone listens together! Explore the hidden wonders of the epic Grand Staircase Escalante drive with a self-guided audio tour. Drive along the Hogback (the ridgeline), learn about the hidden mysteries of this giant geologic staircase, and discover the long-buried secrets of the Fremont and Puebloans. This self-guided tour allows you to explore UT-12 with maximum flexibility and value. After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
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What makes Grand Staircase-Escalante GPS-Guided Audio Driving Tour a unique experience ?
The Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is a United States national monument originally designated in 1996 as 1,880,461 acres of protected land in southern Utah. In 2017, the monument's size was reduced by half in a succeeding presidential proclamation. NOTE: This 125-mile-long tour covers the essentials of Grand Staircase in 3 hours. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
Your tour through Grand Staircase-Escalante begins just west of the national monument, right off Route 89. From here, you'll head toward the monument itself, where you'll find stunning vistas, unbelievable rock formations, and a whole bunch of hidden geologic history.
The Red Canyon's Arches welcome you to the staircase in style. These arches get their distinctive color from the high iron content in the combination of sandstone and volcanic rock that formed them. They aren't natural, although they may look it, but that doesn't take away from how striking they are!
Before you fully enter the Grand Staircase National Monument, you'll have an opportunity to detour to Bryce Canyon National Park. The two are right next to one another, so don't worry about missing out on one or the other. You'll almost certainly have time to see both!
At Powell Point Vista, you'll get your first great vista of this incredible landscape. You'll also get familiar with explorer John Powell and his expedition into this region. That journey, fraught with disaster, proved crucial in mapping the American west.
The Escalante Petrified Forest is a truly remarkable phenomenon. Long ago, this was an ordinary forest. But the trees have long since been petrified and turned completely to stone. Today, these ancient, multi-colored remnants of the forest offer clues to the distant past.
The Escalante Interagency Visitor Center offers all sorts of information for enjoying and exploring the Monument and surrounding areas. It's also a great place to grab a snack or refill your water bottle before continuing your trip.
Spooky Gulch is particularly narrow and winding, and if you’re able to make the squeeze, hiking through the gulch can be quite the experience. You won’t need any special hiking gear or experience-- just an extra hour to drive there and another hour or two to explore.
Kiva Koffeehouse isn't just a great place to grab caffeine to keep your journey going. It also boasts a patio featuring phenomenal views of the Escalante River. If you're looking for a place to take a break, this is an excellent option.
Calf Creek Vista offers more panoramic views of the harsh, beautiful desert landscape which defines the Staircase. Don't forget to snap a few photos while you're here!
Your route will take you along the famous Hogback, probably the most unforgettable part of the entire monument. This winding stretch of road is full of sharp curves, steep drops, and spectacular views on either side. Drive carefully, and make sure to admire the sights along the way!
If you'd like to hike to a perennial waterfall, you'll have the chance to take a quick detour to the Upper Calf Creek Falls Trail. This moderate, 2-mile trek ends with a beautiful 88-foot waterfall tumbling down a dramatic cliff. It's a little sandy and rocky at points, so make sure to wear good boots if you plan to make the trip.
The town of Boulder is one of the most isolated communities you're ever likely to see. With a population of just over 200, this town isn't exactly a bustling hub. In fact, it didn't even have electricity until 1947! Many of the residents here are descendants of the first pioneers to settle in the area.
Burr Trail Road dates back to the pioneer days. More specifically, the days of pioneer John Burr. Burr created this road to lead his cattle from his ranch to the market about 70 miles away. The road remains rugged and wild--perfect for modern adventurers.
As you drive, you'll pass through Dixie National Forest, home to some of the oldest evidence of human activity in the entire region. Anthropologists have reason to believe humans lived here as far back as the Ice Age! Besides the history, of course, it also makes for a beautiful change of scenery.
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
- How to start touring: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction.
- Go to the starting point No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
- Grand Staircase-Escalante GPS-Guided Audio Driving Tour
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Grand Staircase-Escalante GPS-Guided Audio Driving Tour Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
Not Included
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Trending Nearby Tours Likely To Sell Out
Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by Travel with Action.
- Tour Timezone & Starts at America/Denver.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 3 Stars based on 25 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 4 Travelers is accepted for booking.
You’re not done yet! It’s time to set up the tour you purchased. Follow these steps now, while in wifi/signal. Do NOT wait until your travel date or while onsite. 1. Find the tour’s setup instructions: Email: search for the phrase "Your tour operator sent you a message” OR “Set up your Action Tour Guide self-guided tour now." If it’s not in your Inbox, check All Mail. Text: check for a text from 415-980-4997 Viator App Messages: open Viator app > Bookings > View Voucher > Contact Tour Operator TripAdvisor App Messages: open TripAdvisor app > Account > Messages Can’t find it? Ask us to resend: https://actiontourguide.com/redeem/ 2. Follow the setup instructions NOW, not later: You MUST do this before traveling to the site. Requires WiFi/signal. Do NOT wait until your travel date to access the tour for the first time. The tour is not tied to your travel date. 3. Not familiar with our self-guided audio tour? Watch this quick tutorial: https://actiontourguide.com/tutorial ⚠️ Important Note: Your purchase is for the audio tour ONLY. It does not include entrance tickets to parks or attractions. ⚠️ CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. Connect your phone via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux for audio. Use phone speakers if needed. Winter Closures 2024: Grand Staircase: Generally accessible, but roads can be impassable after snow or heavy rain. Have a question - We’re here to help! For quick answers, visit the app's FAQ section or our website at actiontourguide.com/faq. If you need further assistance, please call us at +1 435-288-0560, chat with us online, or email us at support@actiontourguide.com. We're committed to providing you with the support you need every step of the way!
