Raven Canyon

not verifiedpermit verified 2026-08-15 ACA 3B R Unknown flood risk Escalante, UT

The standard warm up for the King Mesa canyons, and the beta is unanimous on the shape of it: mellow enough at the start that you wonder why you came, then it turns on.

Written up as Foxhole and Black Newt as well. Raven and Headless Hen share a trailhead and need no shuttle, so most parties link the two into one long day and start with Raven. On its own it runs three to five hours over about six miles. Sources disagree on the road: RopeWiki tags access as high clearance, Climb-Utah says a carefully driven passenger car reaches the trailhead in normal conditions, so check recent reports rather than trusting either. Stemming is the skill the canyon asks for, and Climb-Utah is blunt that every person in the group needs reasonable climbing ability plus a complete technical kit. Navigation is off trail and moderate; carry a map and know how to use it. Note the grade itself is contested, RopeWiki's infobox reads 3A R while Climb-Utah publishes 3B R III.

Logistics

Manager	BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Permit	Monument wide rule, not a canyon specific finding. BLM requires a free permit for all overnight stays anywhere in Grand Staircase-Escalante, self issued at developed trailheads or at the Escalante, Cannonville, Kanab and Big Water visitor centers. Day use by a private party requires no permit: BLM issues Special Recreation Permits for commercial use, competitive events, organized groups and recreation events, none of which covers a private party descending a canyon. The lottery permits BLM lists alongside the monument, Coyote Buttes North and Paria Canyon, are Vermilion Cliffs units administered from Kanab and do not apply here.
Distance	6.1 mi
Vehicle access	High Clearance
Coordinates	37.4385, -111.0938