Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

A Journey Through Time: Crossing Grand Staircase-Escalante

We drove through the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument along Scenic Byway 12. We thought this would just be a travel day to get from Point A to Point B, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable—and nerve-wracking—parts of our Summer 2025 Road Trip.

Views for Miles

This drive is often voted one of the most beautiful in America, and we immediately saw why. The landscape here is vast and untamed, a rugged mix of cream-colored slickrock and deep canyons that stretch out toward the horizon. We found ourselves pulling van over constantly because every turn revealed a new, impossible vista. The photo opportunities were endless, with the road winding through a landscape that looked more like the surface of Mars than Earth.

The White-Knuckle Ridge

However, the beauty came with a price! There were sections of the road—specifically the famous stretch known as "The Hogback"—that had my palms sweating on the steering wheel.

For a few miles, the road sits on top of a narrow, winding ridge with steep cliffs dropping away on both sides and virtually no guardrails. Driving a camper van along that razor’s edge was an adrenaline rush. It genuinely felt like one wrong move would send us tumbling off the map. My wife might have closed her eyes a few times, but the kids were glued to the windows (probably enjoying the thrill a little too much!).

A Drive to Remember

While it was a relief to get back on wider roads near Zion, that drive through the Grand Staircase was a highlight in its own right. It was thrilling, terrifying, and absolutely beautiful—a true adventure on the open road.