Class II Escalante River, UT

The Escalante River is for advanced creek boaters who are well versed with challenges such as strainers, log jams, entrenched and steep river banks, and other river dangers. Access starts at the Escalante River bridge on Hwy 12. Take outs require hiking 3 to 5 difficult miles to a trailhead.

The Escalante River traverses some of the finest canyon country of the Colorado Plateau and offers river-floating enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy magnificent, wild, redrock canyon scenery. Because it is rugged and remote and sustains only limited flows, the Escalante River also provides unique challenges to the river runner.

The deeply entrenched, meandering Escalante River flows between towering cliffs of red and white sandstone decorated with colorful desert varnish. Above the canyons lie rounded sandstone domes, buttes, and slickrock. Along the river lush riparian ecosystems, provide habitat for numerous plants and animals.(NPS)