Hole in the Rock

We recently completed what felt like a right of passage for those that frequent the backroads of Escalante, Utah. We made it to the end of Hole in the Rock Road and saw the historical site of Hole in the Rock.

Hole-in-the-Rock Road is a remote, unpaved road, and conditions can change dramatically depending on weather. The National Park Service specifically recommends checking road conditions before heading out, and portions farther down the road require high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. We have attempted this drive in the past, only to be thwarted by rain and rivers flowing over the road. 

So don’t look at the 55-mile drive on a map and think, Oh, that’s basically nothing.

Southern Utah dirt miles are their own unit of measurement. 

The drive is bone-rattling washboard. At times it requires some skill with navigating over or around rock obstacles. The recommendation of a high clearance vehicle should be more along the lines of a requirement based upon when we went, in particular once past the Reflection Canyon trailhead.

Along the way, you will of course have miles and miles of unspoiled natural beauty. You can stop and stretch your legs and take a break from the bumps and vibrations of the road. See the ‘Nearby Fun’ section for great stops along Hole in the Rock Road. 

At the end of the road, is the historical Hole in the Rock site. It was neat to see Lake Powell and knew we went that far!

Difficulty: The road does require some skill with driving off-road conditions towards the end. The trail is moderate to strenuous related to up and down climbs. 

Trail Stats: 55.9 miles for the road, out and back. The trail at Hole in the Rock is 1.0 mile, out and back, 626 feet elevation gain. However, with how low the water is in Lake Powell, I suspect this is a longer distance. 

Trail Finding: Clear.

Conditions: Washboard road, some washed out areas, sections requiring high clearance vehicle. The trail at Hole is the Rock is rocks you scramble down. 

Would I Repeat This: Probably not, but I am glad we can say we finally made it to the end. With stops at Batty Pass Caves and Dance Hall Rock, and time at Hole in the Rock, this was a nearly seven hour day.

Parking: For the road, there are plenty of spots to stop along the way, or turn around if you need to or have had enough of the drive. There are spots to park at Hole in the Rock. 

Timing: Take caution with the weather, the road can have rushing water flowing over it and you can become trapped by the water until it recedes. 

Downloaded Map: Not required, definitely helpful though to know ‘how much longer’ you have to get to the road’s end. 

Fees: Portions of the road towards the end of it, and at Hole in the Rock, are within Glen Canyon Recreation Area. This requires an entry pass. Note, there is no payment station. We had our National Parks Pass on our person. 

Trails: Trails: Devil’s Garden, Peekaboo and Spooky canyons, Batty Pass Caves, Dance Hall Rock, and more.