This maintained gravel road is pure “wild west”. Originally built in the winter of 1879/80, the last official wagon train in the United State went from Cedar City to Bluff via Hole In The Rock Road.
Today, it serves as the only motorized access to the “Canyons of the Escalante” and the Kaiparowits Plateau, known as the Straight Cliffs of Fifty-Mile Mountain.
Passenger car travel is always good the first 13 miles to Devils Garden, where you can adventure among the hoodoos, have a picnic and use the pit toilets. No water, but you should NEVER wander away from town without water. The road is owned by Kane and Garfield Counties and they maintain it as often as they can. They have just recently (10/13/11) regraded the road. And, with care, is passable for 2 wheel drive to Dry Fork. After that you should have 4WD because of the cross-wash conditions. As always, DO NOT Travel this road without 4HD when it’s wet.
Hole In The Rock Road is 65 miles to the actual cut in the rock at Lake Powell. There are no services past Devils Garden.
There are some signs on the road, but the places are not marked by common names of places. There are no dogs allowed in Coyote Gulch. Watch for cows in the winter months. If you plan to Wilderness camp be sure you get a permit to stay in the wilderness sections, otherwise you can camp 50′ off the road.
Please respect there is no off-road or trail blazing in the Monument off Hole In The Rock Road. Help us keep the BLM from attempting further closures by staying on the graded roads and traveling at a safe speed of 35 mph. Street legal ATV’s are allowed on the road so be watchful.
Slot Canyons are the main hiking attraction. There are many to choose from, but be prepared. Our all volunteer ambulance and Search and Rescue folks would prefer you come out on your own. And cells phones DO NOT work on most of the road.
Detailed hiking maps are available from the various guides and outfitters in Escalante. Spot meters, ATVs and jeeps are available for rent in Escalante.
Stop by Gallery Escalante for your complimentary map of Hole-In-The-Rock Road and see Tracy’s photographs of the many splendors of this unique area.
Your comments about your visit and experiences on HITR Road are welcome but won’t publish from this page. Please Visit the blog page and post your comments there.
