In April 1879, a scouting party followed a route that took them across the Colorado River at Lees Ferry to the San Juan by way of the Navajo Reservation, a 500mile journey from their starting point near Cedar City. The mission opted to shortcut the distance for the colonizing expedition by following a route that would take them through Escalante, rather than following the long circuitous route through the Navajo country. Today, the scenic HoleintheRock Road follows much the same route as the one taken by the Mormon pioneers, and small posts bearing a picture of a covered wagon mark the trail, still visible in places, where the modern road deviates from the pioneer route. In the near future, other primitive campgrounds are expected to be established within the monument. The fiveunit Deer Creek Campground, located on the Burr Trail Road, 6.2 miles southeast of Utah 12 and Boulder, is open yearround.
Sites are available for a fee on a firstcome, firstserved basis.
Set among willows and cottonwoods in the canyon of perennial Deer Creek, the site includes tables, fire grills, and pit toilets, but no drinking water. This fee campground is open yearround, and features the same facilities as the Deer Creek site, though drinking water is available from spring through autumn. Elsewhere in the monument or national recreation area, you may camp at large, wherever you wish, unless otherwise posted. Roads en route to most trailheads offer spur roads or pullouts where you can park and set up a tent. Always use established sites, and never drive offroad to create new sites.