Day Trip or Backpack Hike to Coyote Gulch

Buttes line the way along Coyote Gulch

NPS

Nestled in the heart of Escalante’s canyon country, Coyote Gulch contains two arches, a natural bridge, and several waterfalls. This concentration of outstanding natural features, relatively easy route finding, and water availability make Coyote Gulch the most popular backpacking destination of all the canyons of the Escalante.

To ensure this area of proposed wilderness remains a special place for future generations, please follow all regulations and plan accordingly. Thorough trip planning is not only your first step in having a safe and enjoyable trip, but also in protecting the natural and cultural resource in the area.

When hiking in Coyote Gulch plan on encountering other visitors, particularly in the spring and fall. If solitude is one of your primary objectives, consider another route.

Water Availability 

Coyote Gulch contains a number of seeps and springs in addition to a perennial stream. One particularly good spring flows from the canyon wall just downstream from Jacob Hamblin Arch.

Be Ready to Get Wet
The perennial stream in Coyote Gulch begins about one mile from the Red Well trailhead. The stream in Hurricane Wash begins about 3.5 miles from the trailhead. The stream is encountered upon reaching the canyon bottom from the other two trailheads. Most of the hike includes many stream crossings or walking in the stream. Your feet will get wet. From Red Well or Hurricane Wash trailheads, the canyon develops from wide, sandy washes to a narrow canyon with towering walls as you travel toward the confluence with the Escalante River.

Flash Floods—In canyon country, always be Flash Flood Aware! Flash flooding can result from heavy rains and thunderstorms. Even if the skies above you are clear, a storm miles away can trigger a flash flood in your area. Check weather conditions before hiking, and especially before entering a slot canyon.

Group Size Limit

Large groups create large impacts in the backcountry. The group size limit for Coyote Gulch is 12 people. Groups larger than 12 people must break up into smaller groups and maintain a minimum distance of ½ mile from each other while hiking and camping. Group size limits are strictly enforced. Permits will be denied and violators will be cited if limits are exceeded.

Leave No Trace

Make every attempt to leave the backcountry nicer than you found it. “Take only pictures and leave only footprints” is a good reminder. Do not remove anything from the canyon. Leave the flowers, rocks and everything else for others to enjoy. Do not feed wildlife. Food and trash should be stored in a manner impervious to entry by birds and other wildlife. Carry all of your trash out of the canyon, including toilet paper and other hygiene items. Do not burn or bury it.Your voice carries farther than you think in canyon country. Respect other visitors by keeping your group quiet and not playing amplified music. If you must have music in the backcountry wear headphones.

Human Waste Disposal 

Human waste must be removed from Coyote Gulch. With the increase of recreational use, the National Park Service has introduced a human waste disposal program in the Escalante River corridor and its tributaries within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. All human body waste solids shall be contained and carried out using a portable toilet or a specifically engineered bag waste containment system in Coyote Gulch. Use of a plastic or paper bag as a receptacle for solid human waste and/or for disposal of solid human waste is prohibited unless part of a specifically engineered bag waste containment system containing enzymes and polymers to treat human solid waste, capable of being sealed securely and state approved for disposal in ordinary trash receptacles. Visitors are responsible for providing their own removal system that is adequate for the size of their group and length of stay. There are many “portable toilet” human waste bags available on the market. Some examples are Restop II Bags, Wag Bags and Biffy Bags. These products can be found at many outdoor product retailers. Homemade PVC “poop tubes” or other hard sided screw top containers can be used directly or in conjunction with a bag system.

Fires

Fires are not permitted in Coyote Gulch.

Rock Cairns

Do not build rock cairns.They can mislead other visitors who rely on landmarks for wayfinding. Building them causes resource damage. Rely on your map and compass and know your route. 

Details

Duration

1-14 Days

From any given trailhead, Your hike may last two miles to two days. Prepare for the trailhead you will be using, and which route you will be taking.

Hiking Distances:

• From Red Well trailhead to the Escalante River - 13 miles (one way)

• Hurricane Wash trailhead to the Escalante River - 12.3 miles (one way)

• Fortymile Ridge: Water Tank to Coyote Gulch- 2 miles (one way)

• Fortymile Ridge: Crack in the Wall to Coyote Gulch– 2.5 miles (one way)

Activity

Backcountry Hiking

Age(s)

This is wilderness. Minors should be accompanied with an adult.

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are not permitted in Coyote Gulch. This includes pack animals such as horses, llamas and goats.

Activity Fee

No

Hiking and overnight permits are free, but make sure you get yours before you start hiking!

Location

Coyote Gulch

Coyote Gulch is a tributary of the Escalante River. Multiple hiking entry points are located off of the Hole-in-the-Rock Road in Escalante, Utah. The trail may be enjoyed as an overnight backpacking trip or as a long day hike. The mileage and length of time required will depend on your point of entry into the canyon. Please check road conditions before your trip to a trailhead.

1. Red Well - Follow the Hole-in-the-Rock road 30 miles to the signed junction, then drive 1.5 miles to the trailhead.
2. Hurricane Wash - Follow the Hole-in-the-Rock road 33 miles to the parking area beside the road. The trailhead is located across the road.
3. Fortymile Ridge: Water Tank- Follow Hole-in-the-Rock road 35 miles to the signed junction, then drive 4 miles to the trailhead. This route requires 100+ feet of class 5 friction climbing.
4. Fortymile Ridge: Crack in the Wall - Follow Hole-in-the-Rock road 35 miles to the signed junction, then drive 7 miles to the trailhead. The last two miles of this road is through deep sand and is not suitable for low-clearance vehicles. This route contains a large sand dune (700 feet of elevation) that can be strenuous to climb.

 

Water Availability

Coyote Gulch contains a number of seeps and springs in addition to a perennial stream. One particularly good spring flows from the canyon wall just downstream from Jacob Hamblin Arch.

Be Ready to Get Wet
The perennial stream in Coyote Gulch begins about one mile from the Red Well trailhead. The stream in Hurricane Wash begins about 3.5 miles from the trailhead. The stream is encountered upon reaching the canyon bottom from the other two trailheads. Most of the hike includes many stream crossings or walking in the stream. Your feet will get wet. From Red Well or Hurricane Wash trailheads, the canyondevelops from wide, sandy washes to a narrow canyon with towering walls as you travel toward the confluence with the Escalante River. In canyon country, always be Flash Flood Aware! Flash flooding can result from heavy rains and thunderstorms. Even if the skies above you are clear, a storm miles away can trigger a flash flood in your area. Check weather conditions before hiking, and especially before entering a slot canyon.

Group Size

Large groups create large impacts in the backcountry. The group size limit for Coyote Gulch is 12 people. Groups larger than 12 people must break up into smaller groups and maintain a minimum distance of ½ mile from each other while hiking and camping. Group size limits are strictly enforced. Permits will be denied and violators will be cited if limits are exceeded.

Leave No Trace

Make every attempt to leave the backcountry nicer than you found it. “Take only pictures and leave only footprints” is a good reminder. Do not remove anything from the canyon. Leave the flowers, rocks and everything else for others to enjoy. Do not feed wildlife. Food and trash should be stored in a manner impervious to entry by birds and other wildlife.Carry all of your trash out of the canyon, including toilet paper and other hygiene items. Do not burn or bury it. Preserve the SoundscapeYour voice carries farther than you think in canyon country. Respect other visitors by keeping your group quiet and not playing amplified music. If you must have music in the backcountry wear headphones.

Human Waste Disposal 

Human waste must be removed from Coyote Gulch. With the increase of recreational use, the National Park Service has introduced a human waste disposal program in the Escalante River corridor and its tributaries within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. All human body waste solids shall be contained and carried out using a portable toilet or a specifically engineered bag waste containment system in Coyote Gulch. Use of a plastic or paper bag as a receptacle for solid human waste and/or for disposal of solid human waste is prohibited unless part of a specifically engineered bag waste containment system containing enzymes and polymers to treat human solid waste, capable of being sealed securely and state approved for disposal in ordinary trash receptacles. Visitors are responsible for providing their own removal system that is adequate for the size of their group and length of stay. There are many “portable toilet” human waste bags available on the market. Some examples are Restop II Bags, Wag Bags and Biffy Bags. These products can be found at many outdoor product retailers. Homemade PVC “poop tubes” or other hard sided screw top containers can be used directly or in conjunction with a bag system.The pit toilets by Jacob Hamblin Arch have been closed. The composting toilet by Big Spring Alcove is currently open. Please do not leave trash at this facility.

Fire

Fires are not permitted in Coyote Gulch.

Rock Cairns

Do not build rock cairns.They can mislead other visitors who rely on landmarks for wayfinding. Building them causes resource damage. Rely on your map and compass and know your route. 

 

Reservations

Yes

Backcountry permits are required for all overnight stays in the Escalante District of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Obtain permits at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center in the town of Escalante or at one of the entry trailheads. Day use does not require a backcountry permit, but please sign the trail register.

Large groups create large impacts in the backcountry. The group size limit for Coyote Gulch is 12 people. Groups larger than 12 people must break up into smaller groups and maintain a minimum distance of ½ mile from each other while hiking and camping. Group size limits are strictly enforced. Permits will be denied and violators will be cited if limits are exceeded.

Season

Year Round

Hikes along Coyote Gulch are more popular in the spring and fall, as it is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer to truly enjoy the hike. But the area is open year-round. Check weather conditions and water availability before you go. 

Time of Day

Any Time

You can hike along the route any time, but we suggest camping during the night and watching the stars.

Accessibility Information

Coyote Gulch is not recommended to people with low mobility.

The road to access any of the trailheads is rough dirt and does not have accessible parking.

The route is along an unpaved riverbed. Along the route, one may encounter deep sand, slickrock, wet slickrock, sheer cliffs that may require some technical gear, and water.