Hole in the Rock Trail, Historic pioneer trail in southeastern Utah, United States
Hole in the Rock Trail is a historic passage that runs from Escalante to Bluff, winding through canyons and crossing the Colorado River while passing through varied geological formations across three counties. The route takes visitors through steep terrain, rock formations, and desert landscape shaped by water and time.
Mormon pioneers carved this route in 1879 over six months, cutting through steep cliffs to reach and establish new settlements in southeastern Utah. This construction effort marked a turning point in opening up remote areas of the region to settlement.
The trail reflects the perseverance of Mormon settlers who pushed into remote corners of southeastern Utah to build communities. Walking it today, you experience the same landscape that tested their resolve and shaped the region's settlement patterns.
The trail is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management with no entrance fee, and markers point out areas of interest along the route. Plan for variable terrain and changing conditions, as the canyon environment can be demanding in certain seasons.
Portions of the original trail now lie submerged beneath Lake Powell's waters, while remaining sections serve both hikers and boaters traveling the canyon system. This combination of drowned and preserved pathways creates a layered history that few other routes in the region share.
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