Coyote Gulch Loop Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Commonly Backpacked · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

A long day hike or a great overnight loop, this hike explores the scenic and rugged terrain of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Bring a water filter and water tablets if you plan on refilling water in the Gulch, as there have been high levels of E.coli reported. You must also bring a wagbag as all waste must be carried out. If backpacking, be sure to bring at least 20 feet of rope to lower your pack through the Crack in the Wall.

This trail starts at the Coyote Gulch Trailhead and can be done as an overnight loop trail. You must get backcountry permits at the Escalante Visitor Center if you plan on camping. It takes about an hour and a half to drive to the parking spot, which is on a hill next to a large water tank. It is not advised that you go further than this unless you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. After parking the car, you head back to the road and continue down and you'll eventually see a sign for the trailhead.

Although the parks department does not maintain this trail, there are some directional cairns that we followed successfully, but be sure to bring a map and compass. Most of the premier camping is closer to Jacob Hamblin Arch, but you can find decent camping throughout the loop.

Note that you must bring about 20 feet of rope to lower your packs, as at one point you have to descend through a thin “crack-in-the-wall” which is not possible with large backpacks. From the crack in the wall, you can continue north towards the confluence of the Escalante River and the Coyote Gulch or follow a path to the left and follow the Coyote Gulch back west, towards Jacob Hamblin Arch.

I went in mid-April and the water was VERY cold and about ankle deep. There were definitely spots where hiking through water was unavoidable so I’d recommend you bring a pair of hiking boot and a pair of water shoes. At the end near JH Arch, there are ropes fixed to the rock that you can use to hike out of the canyon. Once out of the canyon, you head due south on the Jacob Hamblin Arch Trail to return to the water tank.

Trailhead: 37.389971, -111.034848
Crack-in-the-Rock: 37.41911, -110.984897
Down the Dunes to the River
Stevens Arch: 37.433528, -110.979202
Coyote Natural Bridge: 37.416267, -111.027685
Jacob Hamblin Exit: 37.419008, -111.043115

Deer, free-range cows, birds.