Hi,
There is a great place.
It is a gravel pit, just above the Contact Station.
Turn off the hwy like you are going to go to the Contact Station. Then turn right (west) and wrap around the hill till you see a route headed up the hill. Go up there (walk it first to verify). Beautiful view, great solar and Verizon coverage from the top of the hill. Easy to get to the Contact Station for the morning lottery and to fill up with water (bring a couple 5 gallon containers). Good luck getting a Wave permit.
If the idea of a "gravel pit" doesn't float your boat, then just a short way down the Paria (same turn off as above) toward the Paria trailhead, is a nice dispersion campsite with a one or two small to medium sized Cottonwood trees. We chose not to stay there because, being right on the river, the dogs would have been constantly muddy...but happy.
You would have to go down House Rock Valley road quite a distance to find a even a fair spot, so I wouldn't recommend that option.
You could go up the Cottonwood road (Cockscomb), but that will put you a long way from the Contact Station for the morning Wave lottery.
There is a spot just on the East side of the ridge between the Contact Station and House Rock Valley road that might work.
You could go out toward the Old Paria Movie Set, but it would be a long way back to the Contact Station and other hikes.
Right out in front of the Contact Station (on the right as you turn off the hwy) is a OK place to spend a night or two. You could start there and then scout around.
Have fun. We'll be arriving in the Escalante area in a couple weeks ourselves. If you get bored of the Paria area (which is unlikely), feel free to come join us.
Steve
