Entire home

40 Acre Escalante Canyon Retreat

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Escalante Canyon Home
Exterior
Exterior
Kitchen
Private kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4120.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Escalante, UT
  • Calf Creek Recreation Area
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Lower Calf Creek Falls Trailhed
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
    ‪26 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Loft 1

1 Single Bed

Loft 2

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Dining area

About this property

40 Acre Escalante Canyon Retreat

Cross Creek Ranch (the property) is part of a 160 acre private in holding in the heart of The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, seated halfway between Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park. Located where Scenic Highway 12 ('The Golden Loop') crosses the Escalante River, it is the hiking trail head to the renowned Escalante Canyons. The main home and guest house (see vrbo 652481) are the only structures on the last 40 acres downriver before 75 miles of wilderness area that runs all the way to Lake Powell.

This getaway is a 2 bedroom, 2 bath river front home tucked in between large cottonwood shade trees with views on all sides of the Escalante Canyon, meadows, cliffs, and river. The 1300 sq. ft. house sits in a lush riparian oasis surrounded by 600 ft. sandstone cliffs. Hike from the front door to first class scenic wonders.

The 16x28 ft. great room has 15 ft. cathedral ceilings with a massive stone fireplace and a 4x16 ft. built-in window seat. Magnificent views can be seen from the fully equipped kitchen with concrete counter tops, cherry wood cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. The master bedroom with a king bed has a glass wall view of a 200 ft. slick rock pour off, and a glass mosaic tile shower. Beautiful canyon and meadow views can be seen from the second bedroom (queen bed) as well as the spacious 8x30 ft. deck. The home has excellent wi-fi and no TV. A high clearance vehicle is preferable for the concreted low-water river crossing (generally 1 ft. deep).

We are using CDC certified Covid-19 killing disinfectant spray called QA Solution for our guests safety.

Property manager

Katie Howland 2
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
This is a non-smoking property
**DO NOT CROSS LOW WATER CROSSING DURING FLASH FLOODS** 4 WD vehicles are always recommended Please respect our neighbors’ privacy

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Boulder

Located in Boulder, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, while Escalante Heritage Center and Anasazi State Park are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Escalante, UT

What's nearby

  • Calf Creek Recreation Area - 6 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Lower Calf Creek Falls Trailhed - 6 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Escalante River Trailhead - 26 min drive - 23.2 km
  • Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument - 26 min drive - 25.4 km
  • Escalante Petrified Forest State Park - 29 min drive - 27.0 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Kiva Koffeehouse - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 40 Acre Escalante Canyon Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at 40 Acre Escalante Canyon Retreat?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 40 Acre Escalante Canyon Retreat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 40 Acre Escalante Canyon Retreat located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument and within 3 mi (5 km) of Calf Creek Recreation Area and Lower Calf Creek Falls Trailhed. Upper Calf Creek Fall Trailhead is 7.8 mi (12.6 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 178 out of 181 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 181 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 181 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 181 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 181 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

will s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Surreal Property
Unlike any place we have stayed. Red rocks out back door and the serenity of Utah's best 360 degrees with the Escalante River.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stunning setting; beautiful house
My husband and I invited our good friends (another couple) to join us for several days in this beautiful place. The setting is gorgeous with the red rock walls, cottonwoods, Escalante River nearby and dark skies at night. We hiked from the house itself as well as from trailheads a short drive away. We enjoyed cooking together in the well stocked kitchen and hanging out on the lovely deck. The beds were comfortable. The house is very welcoming and lovely !
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cole H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Got away from it all!
What a special home this was to get away from the bustle of life! The river crossing to get to the home was exciting. We found hikes to explore every day with some of our favorites leaving right from the property. Definitely check out Phipps Arch! Some of our favorite things were wading in the Escalante River every day, dinner at Hell's Backbone Grill after hiking Upper Calf Creek Falls, and sourdough pizza lunch at Escalante Outfitters after hiking Lower Calf Creek Falls, staring out the window from the comfy bed, a roaring wood fire when the temps dropped and the amazing views from all windows in the home! It was the perfect spot to play card games with our kids, read, and do a puzzle to pass the time!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allison H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home, unbelievable canyon location!
This was such a dream location for our family trip to Grand Staircase-Escalante. The home itself is beautifully designed and decorated. Cozy, comfortable, an amazing fireplace, great beds, everything you need for your visit, and views out *giant* windows in every direction. It's only upstaged by the towering red canyon walls it is surrounded by -- really, hard to describe in words how stunning the location is. Great hikes out the door, or short drives to trailheads, petroglyphs, and even dinosaur tracks. We feel very lucky to have stayed in this home, and cannot recommend it enough to anyone looking for a special experience in the heart of the monument!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anna R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A gem in the red rocks!!
We had an amazing experience!! The house was beautiful and very comfortable, including the beds. Couldn’t imagine a more serene location…if you’re lucky to book it, don’t hesitate!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Larry P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Escalante River house
Great location, host was helpful, everything needed was there. We would happily stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bill S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely home, beautiful setting
A lovely home in the one of the most beautiful settings you can imagine. My wife and I fell in love with it immediately and hope to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marko W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hevenly
This house and location were fantastic and we enjoyed natures beauty and the peace of a private canyon. Thank you so much. Mark
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Magical-Unique-Restful
This is an amazing property. We felt privileged to enjoy our time in this very special corner of the spectacular Escalante area. The builders/owners deployed artistic and naturalistic flair to create a fantastic retreat in the middle of a cottonwood grove and red rock canyon. The extra touches, books and art were a pleasure. We would love to spend a month there if we could. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jay T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Pure relaxation
We love the home and the area. This is our second stay at this home, and we stayed for ten days to have a real getaway. If you are considering this home, book it! It will exceed your expectations. We want to come back. The descriptions, if anything, understate the experience here.
Stayed 10 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ruth Marie W., Wooster, Ohio. USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing!
This house was amazing! Located in a meadow completely surrounded by Red Rock cliffs near Escalante National Park. It was also close to Capitol Reef National Park.The house was built in a grove of trees that hugged the house on all sides. The interior and exterior of the house was just beautiful! Los of big windows, an amazing wood burning fireplace with plenty of wood. The two loft sleeping areas would be great for kids. We saw deer on the drive back to the house. Communication with the host Katie was awesome....she was very meticulous with all the details you might need and was quick to respond. We were there in December and the house and beds were very warm. Nice hot water in both of the amazing bathrooms. Every area of the house was just exquisite. I would love to return here. it was a wonderful experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

John G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Possibly The Most Beautiful And Secluded House In The Escalante
It was a great pleasure to stay here. The custom carpentry and stonework were delightful. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms are on opposite sides of the great room, ensuring privacy for two couples. The house, with its large deck, is shaded by a cottonwood grove, and huge windows look out to the Escalante River canyon and to wild EGSNM lands. The kitchen had everything, within reason, that one could want, right down to a large dutch oven. We can't wait to go back.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Escalante Home
Simply gorgeous! Katie’s home is a real gem, located in close proximity to great hiking trails. We enjoyed the visit tremendously.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lori N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house
This is an amazing property if you want to truly get away from it all. Great views and private. It should be noted that there is a river crossing so high clearance and AWD is a must. The drive is narrow and impossible to avoid all shrubs rubbing. Some minor issues but all resolved with the owner just down the drive. Great responsive owner with great local stories and experience hiking.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jenny and Tom

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely
Incredible privacy and peacefulness, communing with the ancestors in a canyon.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ryan L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Escalante River Retreat
The house is awesome, tucked away in solitude, and perfectly balanced between inviting guests to stay in or venture out! Had a great time!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Grayson S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Getaway
The Escalante Canyon Retreat is a very secluded beautiful home. We especially loved how the property is surrounded by trees and native nature. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erin K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best of Escalante/Grand Staircase right outside your door
An amazing house in an amazing location! We had a great time here. You’re right in the middle of everything that makes visiting the area great: beautiful canyons, the river, the outdoors. It was so peaceful and quiet. Our kids loved all the critters and spending time in the river. The water crossing was easy in our Outback, the sand afterward might be challenging for some cars. The house stayed wonderfully cool during the day despite the summer temps outside. It is a good ways away from everything, but that’s what we wanted.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bob B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful
The four of us stayed on the property most of the time. The quiet and peace restored us and gave us lots of time to relax and enjoy our time together.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janette K., Salt Lake City

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Off the beaten path perfection.
This property is for those who desire to be far from the maddening crowd. It's a jewel. The information provided by the owner/manager was comprehensive and very helpful; they answered questions we had succinctly and quickly. My only suggestion would be to include in the literature, "Don't be alarmed by Private Property and Keep Out signs".
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nikki R., Lakewood CO

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bliss
This was my second stay at this property and it was wonderful. This is such a serene and beautiful place and I am grateful to the Howland family for making it available for us to enjoy. The area is wonderful for exploring and we did, but just relaxing and enjoying the view from the deck was what tempted us some days. The house is wonderful and equipped with everything one could ask for. The back window wall is amazing. The views from every room are great. Such a special place. Thanks Katie! Can't wait to come back again!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

EVALYNDA C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Getaway
Remote but still has WiFi to make all the hiking plans! Perfect location to relax and enjoy the beautiful Escalante River and Bryce Canyon
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Trent M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The House In The Trees
We decided to do a spur of the moment trip to Utah. Upon arrival we were in the Moab area and started knocking places off our "to see list". We made our way to this lovely home that I call The House in The Trees. The house was spotless and had all the necessary amenities for a great stay. There is a small grocery in town, Griffin's Grocery, that had everything we needed. While we had plenty left on our list to do, upon arriving at the home, our plans changed. The house was so thoughtfully constructed. The entire property peaceful. You wake every morning surrounded by nature. The sound of the leaves in the wind and the peacefulness of the river was priceless. Most days we wondered the property, sat on the porch and walked the river. If you are looking for a place to unwind, regroup, clear your head or just chill, this is the place. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing place
It's hard to imagine a better location for a vacation rental. This was our second time staying here and we hope to be back again. The house and location are unique and memorable--it feels like you're camping in your own corner of canyon country, but with all the comforts of a modern home. If you can stay here, do!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

J P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Secluded custom home in beautiful location
Home was spacious, beautiful, secluded and had wonderful custom touches. After hiking in Grand Staircase National Monument or Capital Reef National Park, it was nice to come back to beautiful bathrooms with warm showers, soft towels and sheets. The kitchen was well stocked with various pots / pans for cooking. It was nice to spend time on the deck and comfy chairs listening to birds and reading watching the sun go down. In late May when the snow was melting in upstream mountains, the river was not flooded or a challenge to cross. Several restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in town, about 20-30 min drive north to Boulder or south to Escalate. We had a great time and would recommend staying here!
Stayed 8 nights in May 2023

About the host

Hosted by Katie Howland 2

Host profile image
About the owners Doug, Miranda, and Katie Howland: Doug is a 35-year designer/builder who built this beautiful home. His youngest daughter Katie lives in Portland with her older sister Miranda. After a career in the arts, Katie now manages the family’s properties. They built the house over a 7-year period in the late 90’s, commuting 7 hours each way from their home in Arizona. Doug now migrate between their properties in Arizona, Utah, and Hawaii. They like to hike, horseback ride, ski, practice yoga, whitewater raft, dance, and travel in their free time.
They also have vacation rentals in the town of Sedona in Northern Arizona and on the North Shore of Kauai.

Why they chose this property

Doug came across this property in the early '90s. He fell in love with it not only for its beauty, but also because it is both accessible and secluded with the Escalante River flowing through it.

What makes this property unique

There are many amazing natural wonders right out the front door and within an hour's drive (see above). Look for deer and wild turkey in the meadow in the mornings and evenings and watch the cloud shadows change over the canyon walls. Head up or down the canyon into rugged wilderness, and return home to comfort.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests