Choose an entry before choosing a distance
Coyote Gulch is reached from several entry points off Hole-in-the-Rock Road near Escalante, Utah. Red Well, Hurricane Wash, Fortymile Ridge Water Tank, and Crack in the Wall lead into the same canyon, but they create different approaches. The rough dirt access road and trailhead conditions make it important to check road status before driving. NPS
From Red Well, the road reaches a signed junction at 30 miles, followed by 1.5 miles to the trailhead. Hurricane Wash is at the 33-mile point, with parking beside the road and the trailhead across it. Red Well to the Escalante River is 13 miles one way; Hurricane Wash to the river is 12.3 miles one way. NPS
The canyon changes as it gathers water
From Red Well or Hurricane Wash, the route begins in wide, sandy washes and tightens into a narrow canyon with towering walls as it approaches the Escalante River confluence. The canyon’s defining landmarks include two arches, a natural bridge, several waterfalls, and seeps and springs. A spring flows from the canyon wall just downstream from Jacob Hamblin Arch. NPS
Water changes the walking as well as the scenery. The perennial stream begins about one mile from Red Well and about 3.5 miles from Hurricane Wash; from the other two trailheads, hikers meet it upon reaching the canyon bottom. Expect repeated crossings or stretches of walking in the stream, so wet feet are part of the route. NPS
Other approaches demand more
Fortymile Ridge offers shorter measured approaches to the gulch: Water Tank is 2 miles one way, while Crack in the Wall is 2.5 miles one way. The Water Tank route requires 100+ feet of class 5 friction climbing. For Crack in the Wall, the last two miles of access road pass through deep sand and are unsuitable for low-clearance vehicles; the route also climbs a strenuous 700-foot sand dune. NPS
The trail itself follows an unpaved riverbed and may include deep sand, slickrock, wet slickrock, water, and sheer cliffs that may require technical gear. Low-mobility visitors are not advised to use the route, and the trailheads have no accessible parking. For an overnight trip, a backcountry permit is required; day use requires signing the trail register. NPS
Match timing and preparation to the canyon
Spring and fall are the more popular seasons; winter is too cold and summer too hot for comfortable hiking, though the area is open year-round. Flash floods can be triggered by storms far from the canyon, so check weather before setting out and before entering narrow canyon sections. Crowds are common in spring and fall, making another route a better fit for hikers whose priority is solitude. NPS
Groups are limited to 12 people. Fires are not permitted, cairns can mislead other hikers, and all trash must be carried out. Human waste solids must also be packed out using a portable toilet or an approved engineered bag system. Those requirements, along with the wet crossings and choice of entry, are part of deciding whether to make this a long day hike or an overnight canyon trip. NPS
Sources & further reading
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