Coyote Gulch Loop — Grand Staircase-Escalante Slickrock and Arch Circuit
Utah canyon country at its most raw.
South of Escalante, the Hole-in-the-Rock Road punches south into some of the emptiest canyon country in the lower 48. Coyote Gulch sits off that corridor, accessed via Hurricane Wash or Red Well Trailhead roads — rough two-track that drops you into a labyrinth of Navajo sandstone, seasonal water, and landmarks like Jacob Hamblin Arch, Coyote Natural Bridge, and Lobo Arch. The driving isn’t the spectacle here — the canyon itself is. You earn it by navigating sandy washes, soft benches, and unmarked junctions where a wrong read of the terrain costs you miles.
High clearance with good all-terrain tires is the minimum. Four-wheel drive is mandatory in wet conditions when the clay sections turn slick beyond reason. The road is generally impassable after rain — Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument’s bentonite clay is no joke. No permit is required for vehicle travel, but backcountry permits are needed for overnight camping. Fuel up in Escalante — there’s nothing south of town. Best window is March through May and September through November. Bring your own water; sources in the gulch require treatment.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 34 mi / 54.7 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5400 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Escalante, Utah |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument |
| Permit required | Yes |
| 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 lifted Tacoma or stock 4Runner handle Coyote Gulch Loop, or do I need a more capable rig?
A stock 4Runner with high-clearance and 4WD can manage it, but you'll want at least all-terrain tires — the slickrock sections and loose sand punish street rubber hard. A suspension lift helps but isn't mandatory; what matters more is skid plates and a driver who knows how to read terrain.
When does the trail close, and is spring runoff a problem?
There's no formal seasonal closure, but March through May brings the best conditions — cooler temps, lower flash flood risk late spring. Summer (June–August) is brutal heat and serious flash flood country; don't run the canyon narrows if there's any storm activity within 50 miles upstream.
Do I need a permit to drive and camp Coyote Gulch Loop?
Yes — Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument requires a free permit for overnight camping, self-issued at the trailhead kiosk or through the BLM office in Escalante. No fee as of now, but register before you drop in; rangers do check.
What's the hardest section, and what should I actually expect?
The slickrock crossings and deep sand washes between the gulch access points are where rigs get sorted out — you'll have off-camber shelf road, embedded rock ledges, and stretches of soft sand that'll bog anything without momentum and correct tire pressure. Aired down to 18–22 psi is not optional here, it's survival.
Is there any reliable water in the canyon, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Coyote Gulch itself has seasonal water running through it, but treat everything — cattle upstream, cryptobiotic soil runoff, and wildlife make it a giardia gamble untreated. Fuel up in Escalante before you leave; it's roughly 35 miles to the trailhead and there's nothing out there — running low on the way back is a real problem.
Trail track
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