Lonesome Highway — Escalante River Road to Hole-in-the-Rock via Fifty Mile Bench and Dance Hall Rock
Mormon pioneers. Wagons lowered by rope. You drive it.
The Hole-in-the-Rock Road starts just south of Escalante, Utah, and runs 57 miles to the spot where, in the winter of 1879–1880, 250 Mormon pioneers blasted and chiseled a slot in the sandstone cliffs of Glen Canyon to lower 83 wagons to the Colorado River below. That act of stubborn determination is baked into every mile of this road. Along the way you’ll pass Dance Hall Rock — a natural sandstone amphitheater where the pioneer company held dances to keep spirits up — before pushing south across Fifty Mile Bench, watching the terrain flatten into bare Navajo sandstone and the painted desert opening wide in every direction. The final miles turn to deep sand as you approach the rim above Lake Powell.
Dry weather makes this a high-clearance run that most capable stock rigs can manage. Wet weather is a completely different animal — the clay sections turn to grease and will swallow vehicles that have no business being stuck 40 miles from cell service. Best season is March through May and September through November. Carry at least 3 gallons of water per person; there is nothing out here. No permit required for vehicle travel, though the adjacent wilderness areas require day-use permits for foot travel. The BLM Escalante Interagency Visitor Center in Escalante is the best first stop for current road conditions.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 57 mi / 91.7 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5520 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Escalante, UT |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Hole-in-the-Rock Road info BLM Kanab Field Office |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD is the minimum — bone-stock Tacoma or 4Runner will make it in dry conditions. Lift helps on the rougher rocky sections toward Hole-in-the-Rock but isn't required. Airing down to 20-25 psi is more important than suspension mods here.
What months should I avoid, and what happens to the road when it rains?
Avoid July–August monsoon season and December–February when snow and mud can make the clay sections impassable. Even a light rain turns the hardpan into axle-deep grease — if the sky looks sketchy, don't commit. Best windows are March–May and September–November.
Do I need a permit to drive Hole-in-the-Rock Road or camp out there?
No permit required to drive the road. Dispersed camping is free on BLM land throughout Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument — no fee, no reservation. Stay 200 feet from water sources and previously used sites; pack out everything.
What's the hardest section, and what should I actually expect?
The final few miles approaching Hole-in-the-Rock get the roughest — loose rock, embedded slickrock, and some shelf road exposure. Nothing that'll stop a capable rig, but it demands attention. The bigger issue for most people is 57 miles of washboard that'll rattle your fillings out if you don't slow down.
How far is it to the nearest gas, and is there any water on the route?
Escalante is your last fuel stop — fill up there, full tank, no exceptions. There is no reliable water source on the route itself, so carry all drinking water you'll need for the full 57 miles plus your camp nights. Cell service is zero the entire way out and back.
Trail track
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