Escalante, Utah
Coyote Gulch
Glowing sandstone corridors almost nobody walks.
Closures & alerts
Checking official closures and alerts…
Straight from the managing agency, but postings lag. Always call or check the park page the week you go.
Moderate
Difficulty
13 mi
Distance
1,200 ft
Elevation
8 h
Drive time
Apr – May, Sep – Oct
Best season
Trail map
Trail to take
Coyote Gulch — 13 mi · Moderate
The map loads automatically. Open Trailforks below for trail names and difficulty ratings.
Overview
Down Hurricane Wash into a gulch of arches, alcoves and reflected orange light. Ankle-deep water most of the way and cottonwoods for shade.
Permits: Free self-issue permit at the trailhead. High-clearance road access.
Where to get your permit
- Grand Staircase-Escalante (BLM)
Free self-issue permit at the trailhead register.
Fees, lottery dates and quotas change every season — confirm on the agency page before you plan around them.
Where to camp or stay
- BLM dispersed camping (Escalante)
No reservation; pack out everything.
Popular sites open on a booking window months ahead and sell out fast.
Highlights
Jacob Hamblin Arch
Coyote Natural Bridge
Cliff Arch
Reflected light at 4pm
Suggested itinerary
Day 1
Hurricane Wash in
Sandy miles to water, camp below Jacob Hamblin Arch.
Day 2
Downstream and back
Wander to Cliff Arch, nap in an alcove, return to camp.
Day 3
Out
Cool morning walk out, drive the Hole-in-the-Rock road slowly.
Packing list
Checked against your gear closet — 5 items to sort out.
- Sandals + trail shoes
- Water filter
- Sun hoodie
- Sand-proof tent
- Wag bag
Add gear for this trip
Suggestions shift with the trip length, activities and the forecast above.
2.5 L
Per person, per day
2 L
Heaviest carry
4.4 lb
Water weight (2.2 lb/L)
4.4 lb
Gear 0.0 lb + water
- Sources unconfirmed — this assumes one mid-day refill. Check conditions before you go.
Food plan
- Cold-soak oats
- Hummus powder + pita
- Two freeze-dried dinners
Weather & conditions
Next few days
National Weather Service
Alerts & notices
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
BLM · Glen Canyon NRA / Grand Staircase-Escalante
- • Hole-in-the-Rock Road is impassable when wet.
- • Slot canyons flood from storms many miles away — check the regional outlook.
Land-manager notices are curated; the Forest Service and Park Service don't publish an open alerts feed, so confirm on the official page before you drive.
Nearby camping
Gear recommendations
Know before you go. Routes, distances, elevation and conditions shown here are estimates and may be inaccurate or out of date. Trail conditions change, and closures happen. Check with the managing land agency, carry a topographic map and compass or GPS, tell someone your plans, and know your limits — you're responsible for your own safety in the outdoors.