Devils Garden (Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument)About Devils Garden (Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument)
Devils Garden is a landscape area of sandstone fins, hoodoos and small natural arches within Grand Staircase 60Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. It is recognized for its sculpted Navajo Sandstone formations and sparse, remote trails rather than developed facilities.
The area contains a range of narrow fins, isolated spires and small eroded alcoves that attract hikers, photographers and geology enthusiasts. Trails are often unmarked and routes can require route-finding across soft sandstone and desert terrain; the character is backcountry rather than established park infrastructure.
The rock forms are the product of joint-controlled erosion of thick Navajo Sandstone deposits laid down in the Jurassic period. Weathering and freeze-thaw along vertical joints have progressively separated fins and left isolated hoodoos and arches over millions of years.
The feature sits within the boundaries of Grand Staircase 60Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. The nearest services and trailheads are typically reached from roads serving the Escalante and Boulder areas.
- Photography tip: Best light for photography is early morning and late afternoon when low sun enhances the sandstone textures and shadows.
Nearby Attractions to Devils Garden (Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument)
Best Time to Visit Devils Garden (Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument)
Spring and fall are the best windows for comfortable hikes and reliable road access; check BLM for seasonal closures.
Weather & Climate near Devils Garden (Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument)
Devils Garden (Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument)'s climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 34°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -7° - 6° | -4° | 16 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -4° - 10° | 0° | 13 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -1° - 14° | 5° | 17 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 3° - 19° | 11° | 10 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 25° | 16° | 13 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 13° - 31° | 22° | 8 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 16° - 34° | 25° | 21 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 15° - 32° | 24° | 31 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 28° | 19° | 22 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 4° - 21° | 12° | 22 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -2° - 12° | 3° | 15 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -7° - 6° | -3° | 11 mm | - | - | 2.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Devils Garden (Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument)
By car: nearest paved access roads vary-use the BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante maps. From Escalante, UT, follow signed county and dirt roads to the Devils Garden trailheads; many routes require high-clearance vehicles. No public transit; nearest towns with services are Escalante or Kanab.
Tips for Visiting Devils Garden (Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument)
- Check road conditions and the BLM alerts before heading out-many approach roads are graded dirt and become impassable after rain.
- High-clearance vehicles are helpful if exploring backcountry spurs; a low-slung rental can be a liability.
- Bring a printed map: phone signal is unreliable and GPS can drop in the slot canyons and slickrock.