Driving the Hole in the Rock Road

This 62 mile (100 km) drive (one way) runs from Escalante, Utah to the actual Hole-in-the-Rock on the western shore of Lake Powell following the general route of of the original Hole-in-the-Rock Expedition. Most of the road is in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, however the last approximately 5 miles are within the boundaries of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Most of the road is passable to high-clearance, two-wheel drive vehicles in dry weather. The last few miles within Glen Canyon are best traveled by foot, bicycle, or four-wheel drive vehicle. There are numerous side-roads that leave this main road. Nearly all of these are only recommended for four-wheel drive. Persons traveling this road should carry plenty of water (at least one gallon--4 liters--per person per day) and be equipped to get themselves out of any difficulty they might encounter. This road is not routinely patrolled by any agency. Temperatures can range over 100° F (38°C) in summer to near 0° F (-17°C) in winter. Sudden heavy rains, especially in summer months may make this road impassable. If you are caught near the end of the road during a heavy storm, you may not be able to make it back to the paved highway, even with a four-wheel drive. For latest road conditions and travel information, call the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center at 435-826-5499 or check the most recent Road Report. If you are having an emergency, call 911. Tips for a safe and enjoyable trip Pack out what you pack in. Carry out all trash and food scraps. Help keep wildlife wild by not feeding them human food. Always take plenty of drinking water with you. One gallon per person per day is recommended. Make sure to eat to balance electrolyte loss and bring snacks. Flash floods happen in an instant here. A storm can appear out of nowhere, sending water flooding into a canyon. If you see or hear a threat of rain or storms, DO NOT RISK your safety for the scenery. Never enter washes or narrow canyons when it is raining or threatening to rain. Check with a ranger or official for road and weather conditions before starting your trip. Warning: there is limited cell service in this area. Leave your trip itinerary with someone so you can be located in case of car trouble or other mishaps. Leave the scenery as it is. Do not write or carve on rocks, do not disturb plants or wildlife. Take only pictures, visit with respect and leave no trace. This scenic drive is the west portion of the road left by the San Juan Mission. There are other sections of the historic Hole-in-the-Rock trail on the east side of Lake Powell as well, where the expedition's journey continued. For the most part, these eastern sections are much rougher, requiring well-equipped four-wheel drive vehicles.