Stevens Arch is a natural sandstone arch perched above the Escalante River, a remote tributary of the Colorado River in southern Utah’s famed canyon country. To give you a sense of its isolation, the Escalante was the last river of it size discovered in the lower-48 states.
Located within the boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Stevens Arch is most easily accessed from the Hole-in-the-Rock Road south of the town of Escalante in Garfield county. To reach it drive south to milepost 35, and take the road east that is marked Fortymile Ridge Road. Drive 7 miles to the Fortymile Ridge Trailhead, also known as Crack-in-the-Wall. Keep in mind that the last few miles of this road feature deep sand not suitable for low-clearance vehicles.
Visitors often combine a trip to Steven’s Arch with a hike through Coyote Gulch, which shares this trailhead. Coyote Gulch flows into the Escalante River downstream of the trailhead. If you look closely before descending down the trail, you should be able to see Steven’s Arch to the north.
If you do decide to combine trips, there are exit points at Hamblin Arch about half way through Coyote Gulch, as well as the Red Well Trailhead and the Hurricane Wash Trailhead. The Hurricane Wash Trailhead exits directly on Hole-the-Rock-Road. Hurricane Wash is also a good entry and exit point if you have a low-clearance vehicle. But also presents the longest hike.
National Park Service: Website
Canyons of the Escalante Hiking Guide (NPS)
Suggested Reading:
Non-Technical Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau – Mike Kelsey
Canyons of the Escalante – Trails Illustrated Map – National Geographic
Hiking Grand Staircase-Escalante & the Glen Canyon Region – Ron Adkison