Contact Info
- Local:
- 928-608-6200
Basics
- Location:
- Through Grand Staircase National Monument from Hwy 12 to Lake Powell
- Setting:
- Desert
- Surface:
- Maintained Dirt/Gravel
- Suitable Vehicle:
- Passenger Car / 4wd Vehicle
- Length:
- 115 mile roundtrip
- Time:
- 6 hours
- Season:
- Drivable year round
Description
The Hole-in-the-Rock Road runs through rugged areas of the the Grand Staircase before ending at Lake Powell. The "Hole-in-the-Rock" refers to the narrow opening in a cliff through which Mormon pioneers lowered their wagon train to cross the Colorado River in 1879 (which was later dammed to form Lake Powell). The road generally parallels the route these extremely hardy pioneers took. Along the route is Dance Hall Rock and interesting Devil's Garden with its odd rock formations. At the end are nice panoramas over Lake Powell.
It is a 115 mile roundtrip. It is graded dirt and gravel but becomes very rough as you get closer to the end. The portion up to Devil's Garden can be handled in a passenger vehicle. Towrads the end you'll want a hig clearance 4wd vehicle. Plan to spend about 6 hours driving it.