📍 Meet-Up Southern Utah Off-roading trip — June 9 - 12, 2027 - see post #43

[Toxophilite]

Dates work better for me actually. Same question on moving my current reservation.

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

I haven't reached out to the resort yet on the date change as I didn't want to create a bunch of extra work if everyone felt strongly about the original dates.

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

Thanks to everyone who weighed in. The Escalante trip is moving to Wednesday, June 9 – Saturday, June 12, 2027. I’ve contacted the Escalante Grand Resort about the change and moved my own reservation. If you’re already booked for May, please contact the resort to change your dates.

Here's the booking link for anyone else who still needs to book a spot.

Quick recap of why: early June is the driest month there, the high-country roads should be clear of snow, and BLM gets an extra month to repair the storm-damaged roads on our route list. A strong El Niño winter makes all three more important.

Itinerary

• Wed, June 9: Hole-in-the-Rock Road, out and back. Our most technical day, for the early arrivals. About 112 miles round trip, with slickrock at the end down to the overlook above Lake Powell. Leave 7:00 am, back around 5:00 pm. Driver’s meeting that evening.
• Thu, June 10: Left Hand Collet loop (full group). Devils Garden, Left Hand Collet Canyon, Collet Top, then Smoky Mountain Road back to town. About 58 miles of dirt with no highway. Roughly 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• Fri, June 11: Burr Trail day. Long Canyon, the Wolverine Loop, down the Burr Trail switchbacks, then Notom-Bullfrog to Capitol Reef and back over Boulder Mountain. Leave 7:30 am, back around 4:30 pm. No trailers this day. Farewell dinner that night.
• Sat, June 12: Head home.

These trails may change. Every day has a backup, and I’ll confirm the final routes in late April and again the week before, based on BLM road reports, snowpack, weather, and the Escalante visitor center. Most of these roads are clay and become impassable when wet, so we’ll decide day by day if needed.

Early arrivals: Zion and Bryce (optional)

Wife and I have never been to Zion or Bryce, so we’re arriving a few days early. Anyone who wants to join is welcome if it fits your travel plans.

• Sun, June 6: Arrive in Springdale. We’re staying at Hotel De Novo Springdale (Tapestry Collection by Hilton) June 6–8.
• Mon, June 7: Zion, a full day in the park. The free Springdale shuttle stops at Hotel De Novo, so the trucks can stay parked. The main canyon is shuttle-only in season anyway.
• Tue, June 8: Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin and Grosvenor Arch, then on to Escalante. Bryce in the morning for the best light, lunch in Tropic, then Kodachrome and Grosvenor Arch (about 10 miles of dirt) in the afternoon. Check in at Escalante that evening.

Important: the Zion tunnel

As of June 2026, Zion enforces a 7'10" (94") width limit on the Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway, including the tunnel, between the East Entrance and Canyon Junction. Mirrors count. The escort program has ended, so oversized vehicles get turned around. An F-250 is over 96" with mirrors out, so plan as if your truck won’t fit.

• Getting into Springdale: Come in from the west through Hurricane on SR-9. Don’t come through Mt. Carmel Junction and the East Entrance.
• Springdale to Bryce: Go around through Cedar City (SR-14) or Kanab. Plan on about 3 hours.

Things to do ahead of time

• Angels Landing: You need a permit, and it’s a lottery. Hikes in June have historically fallen in a seasonal lottery with applications in early April. There’s also a lottery the day before your hike. Apply on Recreation.gov.
• The Narrows (bottom-up): No permit needed. It closes when the river runs high, which is possible in June after a big snow year.
• Lodging: Springdale fills up in June, so book early if you’re coming.
• Nothing else needs a reservation. No timed entry, and no shuttle tickets.

National Park Pass

One pass covers your whole vehicle at Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef. Zion alone is $35 per vehicle.

• Annual pass: $80. This beats paying at each gate if you’ll visit two or more parks this year.
• Free passes:
  • Current military and dependents (annual)
  • Veterans and Gold Star families (lifetime)
  • Access Pass for U.S. residents with a permanent disability
  • 4th graders (Every Kid Outdoors)
  • Volunteers with 250 hours
• Seniors 62+: $80 lifetime or $20 annual.
• Getting the pass ahead of time: It speeds up entry. Buy a digital pass on Recreation.gov and it’s on your phone right away. You can also order a physical pass from the USGS store (allow up to 3 weeks) or buy one at the gate.
• Not covered: Kodachrome Basin is a Utah state park with its own fee.

What I need from you

1. Confirm you’re in for June 9–12.
2. Let me know if you’re joining any of the early days (Zion on the 7th, Bryce/Kodachrome on the 8th, or the Hole-in-the-Rock run on the 9th).

 

[mrmag00]

Will show up at early probably the 6th for the event and stay till the 14th

 

[Toxophilite]

If you’re already booked for May, please contact the resort to change your dates.

FYI - I just called to move my reservation and they cannot move anything until they update the system to accept the discount code. They ask that we wait until tomorrow afternoon to call and change our current reservations, giving them time to get the discount set up for these new dates.

 

[mrmag00]

Yes was told they are waiting on Gretchen to do the discount code, but have no problem moving the dates. She said it’s actually busier in May so moving to June wasn’t a problem.

 

[Godzilla/Tremornator]

coming around and out of bryce on the way to Tropic. north of Tropic, don't miss Mossy cave & Water Canyon Falls.

also it's a shame to be that close to white pocket & toadstool hoodoo's and miss them.

Coyote buttes & the wave is unbelievable too. they are a 3mile hike in, walk around & 3miles out & on a lottery too. june is a little late in the year for that also. still a shame to miss!!!!

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

@Toxophilite @mrmag00 @Tugboat - The resort has advised me they've updated your reservations.

@soulezoo @JDP @JDP brother - Lyn at the resort will likely give you a call in the next couple of days. The weekend is probably going to be a bit busy for her, so you may not hear from her until early next week. You can also call at your convenience to update your reservations.

I've also revised post #43 with the booking link for anyone else who still needs to book.

 

[mrmag00]

Yes spoke to Lynn and she got ours done and the discount applied.