Exploring Escalante with Hoodoos, Slot Canyons, and a Missing Pinto Bean Pie
Destinations:
- Hell’s Backbone
- Spooky and Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyons
- Lower Calf Creek Falls
- Bryce Canyon National Park
This trip through Southern Utah combined desert solitude, red rock adventures, and the kind of flexibility that only a VanCraft campervan can offer. Anchored around the Escalante region, the route blended rugged beauty with remote charm. Plus one small heartbreak involving pie.
Here’s our trip report and how to find your own adventure around Escalante.
Hell’s Backbone Road
What We Did:
We kicked off the trip on Hell’s Backbone Road, a scenic backroad connecting Boulder to Escalante. It’s a narrow, high-altitude stretch that hugs canyon edges and winds through pine forests. The views were incredible and the sense of isolation was everything we wanted.
How to Do It Yourself:
- Start in Boulder and fuel up before the drive
- Only attempt it in dry weather
- Plan to boondock at one of the roadside pullouts if you are looking for a place to stop for the night
- A VanCraft campervan handled the gravel with no problem and gave us the freedom to stop wherever the views called for it
Spooky and Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyons
What We Did:
These canyons are the real deal. We climbed into Peek-A-Boo, scrambled over sandstone ledges, then squeezed through Spooky’s twisting, narrow corridors. It was part hike, part puzzle, and completely worth it. And also kinda terrifying.
How to Do It Yourself:
- Get there early! There’s BLM land all around, so find a cozy boondocking site the night before to make sure you beat the crowds
- Head to the Dry Fork trailhead from Hole-in-the-Rock Road
- Bring water, sun protection, and a small backpack
- Go clockwise through the canyons. Otherwise you’ll be the one person everyone is sick of in the slot canyons. Start with Spooky, then go to Peek-a-Boo.
- The van’s outdoor shower made cleanup easy after a very sandy afternoon
Lower Calf Creek Falls
What We Did:
This 6-mile roundtrip hike leads to a 126-foot waterfall in the middle of the desert. The trail was scenic, with petroglyphs along the way and a refreshing pool at the end.
How to Do It Yourself:
- Park at the Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead off Highway 12
- Start early to avoid the heat
- Pack a lunch or snack to enjoy at the falls
- With a VanCraft van nearby, you can roll straight into a nap or cook dinner in comfort after the hike
The Great Pinto Bean Pie Letdown
What We Tried to Do:
We made a detour for Boulder’s legendary pinto bean pie. Sadly, the shop was closed. We’re still not over it.
How to Do It Yourself:
- If the shop is open, stop and celebrate
- If not, the van’s fridge and kitchen setup are more than enough to console you
- We went with seven-layer bean dip, which was emotionally available
Bryce Canyon National Park
What We Did:
We ended the trip at Bryce Canyon with a sunrise over the hoodoos. The colors, quiet, and crisp air made for the perfect final chapter.
How to Do It Yourself:
- Arrive the night before and camp nearby so you can catch sunrise
- Hike the Queen’s Garden and Navajo Loop
- Make coffee and breakfast back at the van while the crowds arrive
Why This Trip Worked So Well in a VanCraft Sprinter Campervan
- Easy access to backroads and trailheads without worrying about hotel bookings
- Solar power kept everything running, even in remote areas
- No need for crowded campgrounds or park reservations
- Comfort on the road, with a real bed, a stocked kitchen, and hot outdoor showers
Southern Utah invites you to slow down and look closer. From narrow canyon walls to wide-open desert skies, this place has a way of sticking with you. Just don’t get your hopes up too high for the pinto bean pie.
