Coyote Buttes South Access Road — Kanab to Wire Pass Trailhead via House Rock Valley
Lottery permit. Sandstone payoff. Worth it.
House Rock Valley Road cuts south off US-89 through the Arizona Strip toward the Utah border, delivering you to the Wire Pass Trailhead and the edge of the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. This is the access corridor for Coyote Buttes South — the wave-carved, rust-and-cream Navajo sandstone terrain that looks like somebody freeze-framed a breaking ocean. The road crosses open desert with the Vermilion Cliffs burning orange to the west; the surface turns to slick, greasy clay after rain and becomes genuinely impassable even for 4WD rigs. Dry conditions are non-negotiable. The last 8 miles to Wire Pass are rough enough to punish low-clearance vehicles on a good day.
This is a permit-required area — the Bureau of Land Management runs a lottery system through Recreation.gov for Coyote Buttes South (10 permits per day, far less crowded than the North unit with The Wave). High clearance is necessary; 4WD strongly recommended given how quickly conditions change. No water, no shade, no services past Kanab. Best run October through November or March through April — summer heat is dangerous and monsoon rains turn House Rock Valley into a skating rink. Carry all your water, a paper map, and enough common sense to turn around if weather is rolling in.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Best season | March-May, October-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD minimum; 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Kanab, Utah |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Arizona Strip Field Office |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Coyote Buttes South page Recreation.gov permit lottery |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle the House Rock Valley road to Wire Pass?
A stock high-clearance 4WD handles this fine in dry conditions. The road is mostly washboard dirt and gravel with some sandy sections — 4WD is recommended, especially near Wire Pass where sand gets loose. Aired-down tires (25-28 PSI) will make the washboard more tolerable.
When does the road close and is it passable in winter?
There's no official seasonal closure, but the dirt road through House Rock Valley turns to deep mud after rain or snow and can strand even 4WD vehicles for days. March through May and October through November are the sweet spots — summer heat is brutal and monsoon storms in July–August can flash-flood the area without warning.
Do I need a permit just to drive the road, or only to hike into Coyote Buttes South?
The road and Wire Pass Trailhead itself don't require a permit. The permit is required to enter the Coyote Buttes South zone for hiking and exploration — it's a day-use lottery through Recreation.gov, limited to 20 people per day. Permits are competitive; apply well in advance at recreation.gov/permits/4675317.
What's the hardest part of this trail and what should I actually be ready for?
The road itself is rated moderate and isn't technically brutal — the hardest part is the extended washboard that will rattle your gear loose if you're not packed tight. Sandy stretches near Wire Pass can swallow unprepared rigs. The real challenge is remoteness: no cell service, no water on route, and help is not close if something goes wrong.
Is there water available anywhere along the 28-mile route, and where can I camp?
There is no reliable water source along House Rock Valley Road — carry everything you need for the full trip plus emergency reserve. Dispersed camping is allowed in BLM land along the corridor; flat pullouts along House Rock Valley Road work well, but camp at least 200 feet from the road and any drainage. Kanab is your last resupply point before heading out.
Trail track
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