About Hole-in-the-Rock Road Dispersed Camping

Hole-in-the-Rock Road is a remote backcountry corridor southeast of Escalante. The BLM scenic-backway guide describes approximately 56 miles from the Highway 12 turnoff to the end of the road. The corridor crosses Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and approaches the Escalante District of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, so the responsible agency and overnight rules depend on the exact location.

This is not a single campground and the coordinate above is not an official campsite. On BLM-administered land, dispersed camping may be used only where it is open and appropriate. Select an existing disturbed site away from developed recreation sites and trailheads, remain on designated routes, and verify land-management boundaries before setting up.

What to Expect

The landscape

Expect open desert benches, sandstone domes, washes, slickrock edges, distant cliffs, and classic southern Utah canyon scenery. The road feels remote quickly once you leave Highway 12.

Campsite setup

Eligible BLM dispersed sites are undeveloped and should be treated as having no services. Camp only on previously disturbed surfaces, away from developed recreation sites and trailheads. A pullout, fire ring, or map pin does not by itself prove that camping is permitted.

Things to do nearby

• Visit the Dry Fork area for Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Gulch when weather, road, and flash-flood conditions are safe; the trailhead parking area is day-use only.
• Explore Devil’s Garden, Dry Fork, and other Grand Staircase-Escalante landmarks.
• Use Escalante as the nearest town for fuel, food, water, and last-minute supplies.
• Photograph red rock formations, desert roads, and dark night skies.

Rules & Regulations

• Confirm the current Grand Staircase-Escalante overnight-permit policy with the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center; BLM pages currently give conflicting required-versus-encouraged language.
• NPS backcountry permits are required for all overnight stays inside the Escalante District of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
• On eligible BLM land, the dispersed-camping stay limit is 14 days.
• Camp only in previously disturbed areas and avoid fragile biological soil crust.
• Do not dispersed camp near developed recreation sites or trailheads. Stay at least 300 feet from range improvements such as corrals, gates, livestock water facilities, and pens.
• Pack out all trash, toilet paper, hygiene products, and food waste.
• Do not create new roads or drive off established routes.
• No potable water is available along most of the road.
• Check the current BLM Utah fire-restrictions page before using any flame. Active orders can prohibit campfires and other open fires.
• Pets should be controlled, and pet waste must be packed out.

Seasonal Access

• Spring — March to May: Often a comfortable temperature window, but wind, cold nights, and wet-road closures remain possible.
• Summer — June to August: Very hot and exposed. Monsoon storms can create flash-flood risk.
• Fall — September to November: Often comfortable, with continuing flash-flood, fire, and early-winter weather risks.
• Winter — December to February: Cold nights are common, and road conditions can vary after storms.

How to Get There

From Escalante: Travel east on Scenic Byway 12 to the signed Hole-in-the-Rock Road turnoff, then follow the official BLM map and current road report. Do not assume that every side road, trailhead pullout, or disturbed area is open for overnight camping.

Last fuel and supplies: Escalante, Utah.

Offline maps: Download Google Maps offline, Gaia GPS, or onX Offroad before leaving town.

Boundary check: Use the official BLM scenic-backway map together with the NPS Glen Canyon map. The permit and camping rules change when entering NPS-administered land.

Official Planning Resources

Check these sources shortly before travel. Road status, fire orders, closures, and permit instructions can change after this review date.

Official-source review completed: July 31, 2026.