Family Stay at Entrada Escalante Lodge

Outdoorsy vacations come in a variety of styles. You can load the kids up in an RV and hit the open road; move campers from park to park; pitch your tents in a protected forest; or enjoy the comforts of home in accommodations within a small town, surrounded by the great open wild country. For anyone seeking the third option, Entrada Escalante Lodge should be on your radar. Located on the main drag through Escalante, Utah, Entrada is a reprieve for road-weary travelers looking for beautiful hiking locales and family-friendly adventure.

On my recent trip with my sister, we drove about five hours from Las Vegas Airport (LAS) to find the hotel concierge was kind enough to arrange for our keys and room number to be waiting for us — even with our (really) late arrival, long after the lobby closed for the night.

In the morning I had a good look around our deluxe king room and was impressed with the size of the space. Our lodge offered a full kitchen and dining area; back door to an outdoor space boasting a grill and patio furniture for four; living room with a TV and queen-sized sofa sleeper; guestroom with a king-sized bed; full bathroom with large standing shower and two shower heads; WiFi; and plenty of room to unpack and get ready for a long day of hiking.

Our lodge could easily fit a family of four, two kids in the pull-out couch and adults in the guestroom, or opt for adjoining rooms with the older kids — pro move if you want to maximize outdoor space on the back porch.

This space could easily host a group of guests staying for an even longer trip than our two days. Guests staying for longer could load up on supplies in town, check out any of the few grocery stores, outdoor outfitters and local gas stations, all a short walk and drive from the lodge, to fill the room and refrigerator with supplies for a week. Cook out back with the kids and friends on the grill, or enjoy a quiet night in the dining room on colder nights. You’re on vacation, so if you don’t want to cook at all, the lodge’s proximity to local restaurants and taverns is ideal for going out and making a night of it, too — this lodge and destination is a constant pick-your-own adventure opportunity.

Within the lodge, guests will find binders of information, detailing where to go and what to do during your stay. The lobby offered complimentary tea and coffee in the morning with a slew of guides and material for daytrips and hikes in the area. Pick your destination and hop in the car for an easy and incredibly scenic 15–30-minute ride to local canyons, a range of day hikes by level of difficulty, various outdoor adventures and tours.

Entrada Escalante Lodge is about an hour from Bryce Canyon National Park and another two from Zion if you’re looking for a good rest destination between parks.

Lodge accommodations range by size and price, so you could easily opt for a double queen or single king depending on the size of your party. The lodge is set up like a self-serve kind of adventure where guests could come and go as they please, while respecting the quiet hours observed by the lodge — 9 p.m.–7 a.m. Fill up on supplies in town and bring it back to the lodge and enjoy at your leisure.