Coyote Gulch is a dynamic, choose-your-own-adventure destination with routes from 11-mile loops to 45-mile out-and-backs. It features sweeping canyon walls, diverse riparian ecosystems, massive natural arches, bridges, and waterfalls. This spectacular wilderness canyon provides world-class backpacking opportunities.
Region: Southwest (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah)
Distance: 11-45 miles (route depending)
Physical Difficulty: Difficult
- The trail is undefined and often involves walking through water and over deep sand.
- This route involves careful attention to weather to avoid flash flood danger.
- Like many canyon ecosystems, Coyote Gulch requires attention to navigation to avoid accidentally venturing into side canyons.
Logistical Difficulty: Moderate
- Coyote Gulch access lies down Hole-in-the-Rock Road, which is washboarded with possible washouts.
- Permits are required for Coyote Gulch in addition to several canyon-specific regulations. Though permits are currently free and either self-filled-out at the trailheads or picked up at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center, keep an eye on the latest regulations involving trips in Coyote Gulch.
- Some route variations require a shuttle between trailheads.
- You have numerous choices on how to approach Coyote Gulch.
Elevation Gain: 1,000-2,000 feet
Max Elevation: 4,100 feet
Hiking Coyote Gulch
Coyote Gulch is a tributary canyon of the Escalante River in South-Central Utah running for slightly over 20 miles from the top (near Dry Fork) to the bottom where it meets the Canyon of the Escalante River. Several access points provide a choose-your-own-adventure experience depending on the mileage and challenge you’re looking for. The routes through Coyote Gulch described below travel through some of the finest canyon country ecosystems in Southern Utah, lush with vegetation and wildlife, natural bridges and arches, waterfalls, and cultural sites. These areas necessitate respect in traveling through commensurate with the awe Coyote Gulch views elicit given the fragile resources present.
This guide describes multiple routes to explore Coyote Gulch. Trailheads can be used to access Coyote Gulch as an out-and-back hike or using a shuttle. The longest possible variation would be doing an out-and-back hike from the Dry Fork Trailhead, which would total over 45-miles. The shortest way to access all the most notable features of the canyon is the technical Crack-in-the-Wall to Sneak Route Loop. Trailhead access points and route options are discussed below but Coyote Gulch’s access points and the larger area provide myriad opportunities to find the route that fits what you’re looking for. This guide is not exhaustive on the possible ways to link these access points. Desire to suffer, water levels, or possession of a packraft are all factors that might determine your trip in Coyote Gulch. The author has personally hiked the Crack-in-the-Wall to Sneak Route Loop (both directions, multiple times), the Dry Fork to Crack-in-the-Wall route, the Red Well to Crack-in-the-Wall route, and Hurricane Wash (on its own, out-and-back).
Main Canyon
The lower canyon, beginning near the confluence of Coyote Gulch and Hurricane Wash, involves mixed hiking through sand and the almost constantly flowing main branch of Coyote Gulch, which carved this oasis 900 feet into the sandstone layers above on its course toward the Escalante River. This mixed hiking descends farther into the canyon as the soaring heights of the walls above grow until you reach Jacob Hamblin Arch. The arch is massive and forms a large amphitheater on a bend in the canyon with several large campsites nearby. From there, you can scramble up the loose talus slopes underneath the arch or follow flowing water around the bend to continue down-canyon. The next feature you come across is Coyote Natural Bridge, which forms a massive doorway in the sandstone. Descending farther leads you through more sand, water, and jungles of tamarisk, Gambel’s oak, cottonwoods, willows, horsetail, and other riparian vegetation.
As you near the Escalante River, Coyote Gulch snakes through large canyon-bottom boulder fields as the waterway cascades toward its terminus. Picturesque waterfalls and sweeping walls above beckon hikers to take their time through this section. This section is where it’s most visible that Coyote Gulch is a dynamic system. Shifting boulders may necessitate Class 3 scrambling to navigate around features.
Near the bottom of Coyote Gulch, the waterway deepens, and reaching the river beyond requires the most permanent scramble of the primary canyon after the canyon-right turnoff to climb out via Crack-in-the-Wall (described below). The final scramble to the river is fairly obvious and traverses the rock face on canyon-right heading down-canyon. Reaching the river provides the reward of entering the larger Canyon of the Escalante and gazing up at Stevens Arch, one of the largest natural arches in the world.
Dry Fork
At ~25-miles, Dry Fork to Crack-in-the-Wall is the longest route (not involving an out-and-back) to explore Coyote Gulch and starts at the Dry Fork Trailhead (the BLM recently installed an Upper Dry Fork Trailhead too, complete with a parking area and pit toilets; either can access Coyote Gulch). These trailheads lie approximately 25 miles down Hole-in-the-Rock Road. If you have additional time, the Dry Fork area is popular due to its access to several short slot canyons, including Peekaboo, Spooky, and Brimstone Canyons. Depending on how you access Coyote Gulch from the trailhead(s), you pass directly by the entrances to these side destinations. More information about the slot canyons can be found on the Bureau of Land Management’s website for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Beyond the slot canyon access, the Dry Fork trail continues into Coyote Gulch. It is aptly named as this part of the route is exposed hiking through deep sand. There is no water in the Dry Fork of Coyote Gulch (reliable water only becomes available after the confluence with Hurricane Wash) and this route is recommended if the goal is only to increase the mileage of your overall trip. Given its relative lack of scenery and length (compared to other routes described), the Dry Fork route remains an unpopular way to access Coyote Gulch.
Red Well
The Red Well Trailhead sits approximately 30 miles down Hole-in-the-Rock Road in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and provides access to Coyote Gulch after crossing the boundary into the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (more information about land designations can be found below). Red Well is a much quicker way to access the main canyon than the previous route and is similar to Hurricane Wash in terrain and mileage. Reliable water becomes more available after the confluence with Hurricane Wash. The Red Well route is roughly 17 miles if exiting at Crack-in-the-Wall.
Hurricane Wash
Hurricane Wash is accessed from a large parking area directly on Hole-in-the-Rock Road in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument 3 miles beyond the turnoff to Red Well. This route is roughly 16 miles if exiting at Crack-in-the-Wall. Reliable water is not available until you enter the main canyon of Coyote Gulch ~5.5 miles from the trailhead.
Crack-in-the-Wall to Sneak Route Loop
This ~10.5-mile loop from the Crack-in-the-Wall Trailhead along the 40-Mile Ridge spur road is increasing in popularity, though it requires technical consideration for navigating out of the canyon. This route begins at the trailhead and travels across the plateau above Coyote Gulch to Crack-in-the-Wall, a feature above the canyon near where it meets the Escalante River. The route to the canyon edge is well-defined and travels through deep sand. After reaching the Crack-in-the-Wall, scramble down the feature (a narrow fissure in the rock face) to the top of a large sand dune above the canyon. Navigating this feature may necessitate using a rope to lower packs as it is quite narrow and requires Class 3 scrambling. Beyond Crack-in-the-Wall, descend the 700-foot sand dune to Coyote Gulch.
You enter the canyon near where it meets the Escalante River. From here, tag the river (requires more scrambling, described above) or continue up-canyon toward Jacob Hamblin Arch. Just before reaching the arch (canyon left, traveling up-canyon), you’ll be walking on a bench above the water and the Sneak Route will present itself. The Sneak Route involves a 45-degree friction climb out of the canyon, which may necessitate placing gear (most commonly a rope to act as a handline) as a fall on this Class 4 terrain could lead to a tumble down the sandstone grade back toward the canyon. Those unfamiliar with sandstone friction climbing might prefer to do this route in reverse to make placing a rope more straightforward and descending the Sneak Route rather than ascending it. For those comfortable with this kind of terrain and not placing a rope, it is much easier to climb up the Sneak Route than down. The National Park Service emphasizes that it does not maintain a rope on the Sneak Route and periodically removes them if left by Coyote Gulch hikers. After coming out of Coyote Gulch, you can navigate across the well-cairned plateau to the Water Tank Trailhead (and walk the road back to the Crack-in-the-Wall Trailhead) or cut across directly to the latter via a less-defined cut-off trail.
Getting to Coyote Gulch
Nearest City: Salt Lake City, Utah (359 miles from the Crack-in-the-Wall Trailhead via I-15).
Nearest Town: Escalante, Utah (~40 miles from the Crack-in-the-Wall Trailhead).
From Salt Lake City, it’s 359 miles to the Crack-in-the-Wall Trailhead via I-15 (7-8 hour drive). This route takes you directly past Bryce Canyon National Park and travels through the town of Escalante. Hole-in-the-Rock Road provides all-access to Coyote Gulch and begins 6 miles east of Escalante along Highway 12. Take note of Escalante Outfitters (https://www.escalanteoutfitters.com) while you pass through town as they make arguably the best pizza in Utah and is a worthy stop after any trip down Hole-in-the-Rock Road.
Google Maps Link for Coyote Gulch: https://goo.gl/maps/Q5Y2wdmvScsVmhtUA
Trailhead and notable location coordinates (note some trailheads have multiple names on various internet resources and are compiled here):
Upper Dry Fork Trailhead: 37.47902, -111.24152
Red Well Trailhead: 37.42873, -111.14847
Hurricane Wash Trailhead: 37.38254, -111.13310
Water Tank/Jacob Hamblin Arch/Sneak Route Trailhead: 37.39341, -111.04663
Crack-in-the-Wall/40-Mile Ridge Trailhead: 37.40456, -111.00580
Crack-in-the-Wall: 37.41920, -110.98513
Sneak Route: 37.42004, -111.04170
When to Hike Coyote Gulch
Coyote Gulch is best hiked in spring (March-May) and fall (September-November). These seasons allow for mild temperatures (highs often in the 70s-80s) with cool evenings typical of the Colorado Plateau. Hiking in summer requires dealing with extreme heat and winter brings the possibility of snow and subfreezing temperatures. Mosquitos may be present in riparian areas of the Colorado Plateau as late as May.
Coyote Gulch Terrain
Coyote Gulch is a riparian ecosystem full of wildlife (from deer to frogs) and vegetation and contains waterfalls and natural arches and bridges. It is a deep, wide canyon in most places but narrows at some points (into an amphitheater near Jacob Hamblin Arch and a boulder field near the Escalante River). Accessing Coyote Gulch from Dry Fork, Red Well, or Hurricane Wash necessitates navigating more exposed dry canyons to access the more lush lower canyon. Expect constant sand and wet feet in many places. Exiting (or entering) the canyon via Crack-in-the-Wall requires navigating a tight, scrambly feature and a 700-foot sandy incline, and exiting (or entering) via the Sneak Route requires a 45-degree friction climb and may necessitate placing a rope for those unfamiliar with the terrain.
Logistics: Direction, Land Management, Water
Permits: Backpacking in Coyote Gulch currently requires a self-serve permit filled out at the trailhead(s) or picked up at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center, which aids the National Park Service in managing recreation in the area. Make sure you check the National Park Service website for the latest information regarding Coyote Gulch regulations.
Land Designations: Coyote Gulch mostly lies within the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and is managed by the National Park Service. Trailheads including Dry Fork, Red Well, Hurricane Wash, and Water Tank technically lie in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, but the National Park Service sets the regulations for hiking in Coyote Gulch. It is managed as wilderness (https://wilderness.net/learn-about-wilderness/default.php). There are currently no restrictions on campsite selection beyond camping away from water. Considering how human noise travels in the canyons is good practice in site selection. Large, defined campsites are frequent and camping in these well-used areas mitigates further resource impacts from creating new sites.
Water: Water is plentiful in lower Coyote Canyon which follows flowing water to the Escalante River. Reliable water can be found most anywhere down-canyon of the confluence with Hurricane Wash. Do not expect water in other parts of possible routes, though it may be found after rain in perennial streams (like Hurricane Wash) or in potholes and tenajas. All water must be treated given the popularity of the area for recreation and cattle-grazing.
Human Waste: the National Park Service requires all human waste and toilet paper to be packed out of Coyote Gulch using a portable waste containment bag (or Wag Bag). These are widely available at most outfitters in Utah, including in the town of Escalante. This regulation exists because of concerns over human waste proliferation and water quality in Coyote Gulch. A pit toilet exists in Coyote Gulch (on canyon-left, down-canyon from Cliff Arch) for recreational use. A second pit toilet is present on many maps and internet sources near Jacob Hamblin Arch, but this toilet is no longer present. Pit toilets are present at the Dry Fork Trailheads and beyond the turn to 40-Mile Ridge Road at Dance Hall Rock. No pit toilets are present at the Water Tank, Crack-in-the-Wall, Red Well, or Hurricane Wash Trailheads.
Campfires: Campfires are not allowed in Coyote Gulch given the lack of available firewood.
Dogs: Dogs are not allowed in Coyote Gulch.
Cultural Sites: Coyote Gulch used to be inhabited by the Ancestral Puebloans and contains remnants of that habitation, including dwellings and rock art. These are nonrenewable resources and need to be treated with the utmost respect and reverence.
Special Gear: Waste containment bags are essential if traveling overnight in order to pack out human waste. A rope may be desired to aid in navigating the Sneak Route or to lower packs at Crack-in-the-Wall. Breathable shoes (like trail running shoes) are likely the best bet for Coyote Gulch as much of the route travels through water and deep sand (a great combo). If temperatures are high during your trip, parts of the route (like Dry Fork or the plateau sections between the edge of the canyon and the Water Tank or Crack-in-the-Wall trailheads) might warrant a sun umbrella and attention to electrolytes, especially if you are traveling from a non-desert climate.
Other Considerations: Coyote Gulch is seeing increasing popularity and attention by the internet, outdoor recreation community, and for management by the National Park Service. This necessitates cooperation, especially in areas like the Sneak Route and Crack-in-the-Wall, where multiple parties may be taking their time to carefully navigate features; or around Jacob Hamblin Arch, where camping is most popular and where noise travels very easily. Coyote Gulch is a serene place and is managed for qualities like solitude by the National Park Service. We need to work together to be considerate of one another while recreating in this place which, along with all U.S. public land, is owned collectively by all Americans and deeply meaningful to many.
Know Before You Go
Coyote Gulch has specific regulations regarding permits, human waste, campfires, and dogs. Make sure you are in the know on the latest regulations from the National Park Service before beginning your trip. Be aware of the technical aspects involved in some route options (especially the Sneak Route to Jacob Hamblin Arch) and take the appropriate precautions.
As with any hike in canyon country, keep the weather in mind as flash floods are frequent in these ecosystems during rain events. The weather may also prevent access to Coyote Gulch as Hole-in-the-Rock Road is challenging even in dry conditions from frequent washboarding and washouts. Sedans can access some locations on Hole-in-the-Rock Road (Dry Fork and Hurricane Wash are usually good bets) but other locations like the Red Well, Water Tank, and Crack-in-the-Wall Trailheads require navigating things like washed-out cattle guards, washed out sections of road, and deep sand. A high-clearance all-wheel-drive vehicle is highly recommended for traveling to these locations.
Hole-in-the-Rock Road is an ordeal to travel down and takes time. Do further research on the area. The vast Escalante District of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument contain lifetimes of outdoor opportunity. A trip down the road to backpack Coyote Gulch can easily be combined with some car camping and a sense of adventure to visit destinations like Reflection Canyon or the road’s namesake, Hole-in-the-Rock.
Additional Resources
National Park Service Website: https://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/coyote-gulch.htm
Caleb Meyer (he/him) is a hiker and conservation social science researcher based in Utah. In addition to countless hikes, backpacking trips, and other generous times in the outdoors, Caleb hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2019 and the Colorado Trail in 2021. Outside of long-distance hiking, Caleb spends his time running, skiing, and working in public land management. Follow along on Instagram: @topohikes.
