Coyote Gulch to Wolverine Petrified Wood Area — Grand Staircase Desert Bench via Horse Canyon
Petrified logs on a clay bench nobody visits.
Most people blow past the Wolverine Petrified Wood Area chasing arches and slot canyons, which is exactly why it stays uncrowded. The approach from Escalante heads south on Hole-in-the-Rock Road before cutting east on Wolverine Road — a chunky, clay-and-cobble two-track that crosses Horse Canyon wash at least twice depending on recent flood scour. The petrified wood scatter near Wolverine Creek is surreal: ancient logs turned to colorful jasper and agate lying right on the desert floor, no ropes, no crowds. Continue east toward the remote benches above the Circle Cliffs for views that’ll rearrange your internal geography.
This one demands a capable high-clearance 4WD, not because any single obstacle is death-defying, but because the clay surface becomes a greased skillet after rain — sections near the wash crossings will swallow a stock SUV whole when wet. Stick to dry conditions only, typically May through June and September through October. No permits required, but carry at least four gallons of water per person — there is zero reliable water and zero cell service out here. Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land throughout. Nearest fuel and services are in Escalante, about 30 miles back.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5800 ft |
| Best season | May-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Escalante, Utah |
| Land manager | BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM GSENM visitor info BLM travel management map |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner can manage this trail in dry conditions. The clay benches and rutted sections through Horse Canyon are the concern — stock is fine, but low-slung crossovers and 2WD rigs have no business here.
What happens to this trail when it rains?
The clay surface turns into a slick, axle-deep mess after any meaningful rain — Grand Staircase clay is notorious for this. Don't attempt it if rain is in the forecast or if the ground is still wet; you will get stuck, and nobody is coming to pull you out quickly.
Do I need a permit to drive this trail or camp out here?
No permit is required to drive the trail or dispersed camp within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Collecting petrified wood is illegal — federal law prohibits removing any natural or cultural resources from monument land, including loose fragments.
What's the hardest part of this route and what should I actually be ready for?
The sketchiest sections are the clay bench traverses after wet weather and the loose, eroded drop-ins through Horse Canyon where the trail narrows and shelf edges are soft. At moderate difficulty this isn't a rock-crawler's trail, but one bad line on a slick clay slope can put you on your side.
How far is the nearest gas, and is there any reliable water source on the trail?
Escalante is your last fuel stop — top off before you leave town, roughly 28 miles from the trailhead. There are water crossings on the route but treat everything you pull from them; carry at least 2 gallons per person since there's zero cell service and no bailout options once you're deep in the backcountry.
Trail track
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