Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah Oct. 25, 2023

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah

The Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument is an untamed wilderness of cliffs and canyons nestled in the heart of southern Utah. The Grand Staircase is a fascinating sequence of five majestic sandstone cliffs, rising approximately 1,675 metres across the expanse of the monument. Each step displays a different era in Earth"s geologic history, a showcase of time that is unrivalled by any other place on the planet. Archaeologists have found prehistoric artefacts, petrified wood, and fossils dating back over 75 million years ago, from the Cretaceous Period. In human history, the Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont people mastered the art of farming in this challenging terrain. They ingeniously constructed granaries to store and preserve their bountiful harvests. Today, it is a splendid getaway for nature enthusiasts and travellers seeking adventure.

© Jeff Foott/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

Park of the Monsters
Oct. 25, 2024Frankenstein Friday
Oct. 25, 2025Martimoaapa Mire Reserve, Finland

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Behold the architectural marvel
Look, but don’t touch
Southern tip of a northern isle
Fragrant fields as far as the eye can see
Jan. 29, 2025Chinese New Year
Mar. 3, 2025World Wildlife Day
Jul. 28, 2025World Nature Conservation Day
Dec. 25, 2025Merry Christmas!
Aug. 11, 2025Village of Santa Maddalena, Dolomites, Italy
Mar. 4, 2024Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Sep. 30, 2023Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Apr. 14, 2024Bowling Ball Beach, California, USA
Jul. 29, 2024International Tiger Day
Peek-a-boo, I see you!
Jul. 31, 2024Hoodoos, Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Dragon tails trail to the sea
Sep. 18, 2023Milky Way over Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park
Oct. 13, 2024Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
Dec. 5, 2025Maya site of Copán
Nov. 17, 2025Red fox
Dec. 1, 2023Lake Minnewanka, Alberta
Fit for a fairytale
As curious about you as you are about them
See-through cephalopod
Sep. 16, 2023Oktoberfest begins
Nov. 15, 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
Sep. 21, 2025Sea Otter Awareness Week
Oct. 29, 2024Great horned owl
May 14, 2025Porto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, Italy
Dec. 3, 2023Vermilion Cliffs National Monument