Coyote Gulch to Red Breaks — Hole-in-the-Rock Road Desert Slickrock Run
Mormon wagons went here. Your rig can too.
Drop south off Highway 12 onto Hole-in-the-Rock Road and the pavement ends fast — replaced by red Entrada sandstone dust and wide-open Escalante desert. This route threads roughly 35 miles from the Dry Fork Coyote trailhead area down toward Red Breaks, passing Hurricane Wash, Red Well, and the infamous Dance Hall Rock alcove where Mormon pioneers camped in 1879 before chiseling their wagons through a slot in the canyon wall. The road itself is straightforward when dry, but the Escalante clay turns to grease in rain, and more than one rig has sat sideways in a ditch waiting for the sun to return.
Moderate difficulty on dry days — a stock high-clearance 4WD handles it — but weather changes the game entirely. Check conditions with the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument office in Escalante before you leave town. No permit required for the road itself, though Coyote Gulch day use has seen increased ranger presence. Fuel in Escalante, water from town — none on route. Cell service disappears at the pavement edge. Best window is April through June and September through October. What you get: slot canyon access, Anasazi ruins, and total isolation on a road that feels like the edge of the known world.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 35 mi / 56.3 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5500 ft |
| Best season | April-June, September-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Escalante, UT |
| Land manager | Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, BLM |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| 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?
Yes. A stock 4WD high-clearance rig is the minimum and will get through fine under normal conditions. Where people get into trouble is soft sand sections — airing down to 20-25 PSI front and rear is non-negotiable out here.
What months should I avoid, and what kills access when conditions go bad?
Avoid July and August — extreme heat and afternoon monsoons turn the clay and sand sections into axle-deep mud that can strand you for days. Winter closures are possible after snowfall. April–June and September–October are the reliable windows.
Do I need a permit to drive Hole-in-the-Rock Road or camp along it?
No permit required to drive the road. Dispersed camping in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is free with a 14-day limit per site. There are no fees, no reservations — just keep camps 200 feet from water sources and pack everything out.
What's the hardest section of this run, and what makes it sketchy?
The slickrock and eroded wash crossings approaching the Red Breaks end of the route are where difficulty spikes. The surface shifts between loose sand, exposed rock shelves, and soft bermed edges with no guardrails and significant drop-offs — slow down, pick your line, and don't let your passenger distract you.
How far is it from Escalante to the trailhead, and should I top off fuel and water before leaving town?
Escalante is your last reliable fuel and supply stop — period. The route runs 35 miles of remote desert with zero services, no cell signal anywhere on the trail, and water sources that are not safe to drink without treatment. Carry at least 5 gallons of water per person and top off your tank before you leave town.
Trail track
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