Coyote Buttes Road
Gateway to the Wave and Paria wilderness
Coyote Buttes Road leads deep into the Paria Plateau wilderness, providing the only vehicular access to Arizona’s world-renowned Wave formation and surrounding slot canyon country. The 20-mile route begins as maintained dirt but quickly deteriorates into deep sand washes and rocky two-track that can swallow unprepared vehicles whole. Navigation becomes critical as the main route splinters into dozens of social trails, many leading to dead ends in the vast sandstone maze. Wire Pass Trailhead marks the endpoint for most, though experienced drivers can continue deeper into the backcountry toward Buccaneer Trail and White Pocket.
This is a moderate to difficult route demanding high-clearance 4WD and sand driving experience — street tires will get you stuck fast in the deep washes. The real challenge isn’t technical difficulty but navigation and sand recovery skills. Spring and fall provide optimal conditions; summer heat is dangerous and winter can bring impassable snow. Wave permits are notoriously difficult to obtain through the lottery system and absolutely required. No services exist for 50+ miles — carry extra water, food, and recovery gear. Dispersed camping is prohibited in most areas, making this typically a long day trip from Kanab.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 20 mi / 32.2 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4800 ft |
| Best season | March-May, October-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Kanab, Utah |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| 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 Coyote Buttes Road?
Yes, but it needs to be a high-clearance 4WD — stock Tacomas and 4Runners are right at the minimum. The deep sand sections will punish 2WD and low-clearance rigs. Airing down to 18-20 PSI is not optional here, it's how you get through.
When should I avoid this trail?
Summer is brutal — heat regularly hits 100°F+ and the sand gets punishing. Winter brings snow and ice on the Paria Plateau that can make the road impassable. Stick to March–May or October–November for the best conditions.
Do I need a permit just to drive the road, or only if I'm hiking to the Wave?
The permit requirement is for entering Coyote Buttes North to hike — specifically to reach the Wave. The Wave permit is extremely competitive and lottery-based through Recreation.gov. Driving the road itself to access the trailhead doesn't require a separate vehicle permit, but there's no point driving it without your hiking permit sorted first.
What's the hardest part of the drive and what should I watch for?
The deep, loose sand sections are the main challenge — vehicles without proper 4WD engagement and aired-down tires get stuck here regularly. There are no dramatic ledges or rock obstacles, but getting beached in soft sand 10+ miles from pavement with no cell service is a real scenario if you're unprepared.
Is there any cell service or water along the route?
Zero cell service the entire 20 miles — plan your navigation offline using a downloaded map in Gaia GPS or similar before you leave Kanab. There is no water available on the trail; carry everything you need for the full day including hiking.
Trail track
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