Coyote Gulch Loop — Grand Staircase-Escalante Slickrock and Canyon Circuit
Arches, slickrock, and soft sand. Earn it.
Red Canyon trailhead off Hole-in-the-Rock Road is where the pavement ends and the real Utah starts. Coyote Gulch is justifiably famous among canyon country travelers — this loop links the Hurricane Wash, Red Well, and Fortymile Ridge access tracks to put you in striking distance of Jacob Hamblin Arch, Coyote Natural Bridge, and the Escalante River confluence. The driving itself is a mix of packed sand, soft wash bottoms, and stretches of bare Navajo sandstone that demand you read the terrain before you commit. One wrong line on the slickrock and you’re high-centered with nobody coming past for days.
Sand is the primary enemy here — aired-down tires (18–20 psi) are non-negotiable, and a good set of recovery boards lives on your rack, not buried under your gear. Stock 4WD with decent clearance gets most of it done; a locker earns its keep in the wash crossings after rain. Best season is March–May and September–November; summer heat is genuinely dangerous and flash flood risk in the washes is real. Fuel in Escalante — the last town with a pump before a very long tow. No permit required for vehicle travel, but the area is managed by BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Escalante, UT |
| Land manager | BLM Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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 4Runner or Wrangler handle this trail without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but it'll work for it — deep sand sections can swallow low-profile tires and the slickrock demands real 4WD, not just AWD. Airing down to 20-25 PSI is non-negotiable. Lifted rigs with all-terrains will have a noticeably easier time.
When is Coyote Gulch actually drivable, and what shuts it down?
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are the windows. Summer heat is dangerous and monsoon rains turn the sand into traps and can flash-flood the canyon crossings with zero warning. Winter can be passable but cold snaps freeze water crossing approaches and make slickrock sketchy.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp in Coyote Gulch?
No permit is currently required for vehicle travel or dispersed camping here, but you're in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument under BLM jurisdiction — follow Leave No Trace, camp 200 feet from water, and don't expect a fee station. Rules can change, so check with BLM Escalante before you roll out.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it hard?
The deep sand stretches are where most rigs get humbled — it's not steep, it's sustained, and momentum management matters more than lockers. The slickrock requires reading the line carefully; one wrong angle and you're high-centered on nothing but sandstone. Budget extra time here, not extra speed.
There's zero cell service out there — how far is the nearest gas and water resupply from the trailhead?
Escalante is your last stop for gas, water, and anything else — it's roughly 30–40 miles from the trailhead depending on your approach. Carry all your water; the canyon crossings are not a reliable drinking source without heavy filtration. File a trip plan with someone before you leave, because no one's coming to look for you based on a dropped pin.
Trail track
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