Within 100 miles of Escalante are Bryce Canyon National Park , Capitol Reef National Park , Zion National Park , Cedar Breaks National Monument , Glen Canyon National Recreation Area , Petrified Forest State Park, Anasazi Indian Village State Historical Site , Kodachrome Basin State Park , and part of the Dixie National Forest . The Escalante area offers both primitive and non-primitive types of recreation. The Escalante River and its drainages provide an outstanding opportunity for backpacking. The area's national reputation and large numbers of hiking opportunities serve to yearly increase visitation to the canyons. Motor vehicle tourists enjoy the scenery on Highway 12, Hell's Backbone, and Circle Cliffs.
Camping is considered a major recreational use of the area.
Both the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service offer well maintained camping areas in scenic locations. Camping fees are charged on some of the more developed sites. The most popular sites are Calf Creek, Posy Lake, and Blue Spruce. See Hiking the Escalante River for more detailed information. Some areas of the Escalante Resource Area are open to ORV use.