The Slot Canyon Inn Bed and Breakfast is located five miles from Escalante, Utah. The inn resides on 160 acres of land and backs up the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. There are eleven spaces available for rent, all with private bathrooms, entrances, and jacuzzi bathtubs. Some rooms have small kitchenettes and can sleep up to six individuals. Complimentary breakfast is served daily, and an on-site restaurant serves lunch and dinner. A few yards from the inn is a cliff covered in Native American petroglyphs and pioneer graffiti. The property is open year-round with a soft close during the winter months.
The Slot Canyons Inn Bed and Breakfast is located five miles west of the town of Escalante on the edge of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The 160-acre property is covered in the natural landscape of southern Utah with sagebrush, red rock, and cacti. Longhorn cattle roam the pastures surrounding the bed and breakfast. Wild turkeys live alongside the cattle while bears, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats have been seen on the property as well. The northern side of the property backs up to a large sandstone cliff featuring pictographs and petroglyphs. The Birch Creek and North Creek converge on the property to begin the Escalante River that flows all the way to Lake Powell. A small orchard and garden are also maintained on the property.
The pueblo-style inn has eight rooms, each furnished with Native American décor such as drums, feathers, cradleboards, and inspired paintings. A restored historic cabin from the first homesteaders is also available for rent. Different rooms in the inn feature fireplaces, jacuzzies, and balconies for star gazing. Every room has a private entrance and a private bathroom. The Calf Creek Falls room is ADA approved on the main floor for those with special needs. The most popular room among couples and single guests is the Anasazi Room. This room has a double jacuzzi tub and a private furnished patio overlooking the property's extensive acreage.
The Isaac Riddle Cabin, the Moonrise Studio Apartment, and two suites in the inn, can sleep up to six people comfortably and contain a kitchen, patio, and barbecue. The owner Joette Marie Rex's personal favorite room is the Desert Rose as it has a "one of a kind" two-way fireplace into the bedroom and bathroom. In the lobby, there are many Native American artifacts on display. Guests are encouraged to tour the property archaeological site, hike the canyons, or observe the longhorn cattle out in the pastures.
Breakfast is served every morning at the Slot Canyons Inn. There is no specific menu as the meal changes daily. The food is plated and can be taken out on the decks or in the dining area. Most breakfasts include some type of egg dish with sweet bread, fruit, homemade spreads, cactus jelly, homemade granola, and homemade yogurt. Juices, coffee, and teas are always included with each meal. Those with dietary restrictions such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten- or dairy-free can receive special accommodations. The North Creek Grill is a restaurant located on the property where guests can eat dinner under the stars. The renovated restaurant now includes indoor seating.
The Slot Canyons are one of the largest attractions to the area, but there are waterfalls, cliffs, canyons, and lakes that people can visit as well. There is a significant amount of hiking trails located within the vicinity. The town of Escalante is located in the heart of the Grand Staircase National Monument, and Bryce Canyon is only a 45-minute drive to the west. Many who visit the inn bring their mountain bikes. There are hundreds of hiking trails, pioneer monuments, and preserved Native American homes within a twenty minute drive of the inn. In town, there are a few restaurants guests can eat at. These include Georgie's Mexican Food Truck, The Outfitters, Circle D Eatery, and The Ranch Dog Kitchen.
The desired atmosphere at Slot Canyons Inn Bed and Breakfast is that of comfort and friendship. Joette-Marie Rex, the inn's owner, and the primary hostess, says her and the staff's motto is, "May all who enter as guests leave as friends." She has taken these words to heart and makes an effort to establish a positive relationship with each guest who passes through The Slot Canyon Inn. Weddings, family reunions, art competitions, and retreats are all held at the bed and breakfast, bringing in individuals from all around the world.
The property is said to have a unique aura as it is the grounds of some of the oldest native tribes known in the west, with an archaeological site dating back to 9000 BC. Joette-Marie wants every guest to understand the history of the area and makes sure every member of her staff knows the stories of the property so they can share with guests and answer their questions. A cookbook and memoir written by Joette-Marie highlights the history of the property, and there is one available for guests to read and/or purchase.
Slot Canyons Inn is a rural getaway with no other cities or homes nearby; according to the owner, "guests can step outside and clearly see every star in the sky, clearly including the Milky Way." In an effort to create an even more outdoor-oriented space, pastures in front of the building are shared by cattle, horses and wild turkey.
Joette-Marie has many children, and after building the inn, she and her late husband became empty-nesters. She misses having all of her children around and thus enjoys having a busy home full of life through other means.
Guests often leave positive reviews regarding the property's rural location, full breakfasts, and helpful staff. A guest at the inn said, "We stayed here for a special trip. It was close to many hikes, the jetted tubs were luxury resort status, and the hostess was very kind and gave good suggestions for nearby activities."
Many of the guests who pass through the Slot Canyons Inn are from Europe, Canada, or the eastern United States on a road trip. The younger families and couples who stay at the inn spend most of their time outdoors exploring the nearby slot canyons and hiking trails. In contrast, the older visitors stay around the bed and breakfast, enjoying the activities on site. Over half of the visitors who spend time at the Slot Canyons Inn are return guests. The property is open mostly year-round, with a soft closing period during the winter month of January.
Joette-Marie Rex grew up in California, and her late husband was from Utah. The couple spent a lot of time in southern Utah and, when trying to find a rural area to live, decided on purchasing the property where the Slot Canyons Inn resides. A friend heard they had purchased the property and advised them to build a bed and breakfast. Joette- Marrie taught music at the local elementary school for years and while they built the bed and breakfast.
The inn property is bordered by the Dixie National Forest and the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, which is government-owned land. The first home they built on the property burned down in 1995. The idea of the bed and breakfast was born in 2004 and opened in 2006
The historic Isaac Riddle Cabin is on the property was moved and restored. It has the distinction of being formerly owned and lived in by Miss Kitty, an actress from the series Gun Smoke.
After the inn was built, Brigham Young University asked to start an excavation job on the cliffside near the inn. The four-year project was successful in finding items dating back to 9000 BC, making the area the oldest site in the Northern Colorado Plateau. Many of the artifacts, rocks, fossils, and trinkets on display at the inn were discovered on the property.
3680 W State Highway 12
Escalante, Utah 84726
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Joette-Marie Rex
