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All-Women Coyote Gulch Backpacking Tour

If you’re into hiking, you’ve likely caught wind of the legend that is Grand Staircase-Escalante. Among all the possible hikes, there’s one here that steals the spotlight—Coyote Gulch, the crown jewel of Escalante. Welcoming to both backpacking rookies and veterans, we created this all-women, 6-day backpacking journey through Coyote Gulch. The terrain here is the stuff of legends: arches, alcoves, bridges and waterfalls, all framed by sky-high red cliffs and lush foliage of Cottonwood trees. We’ll camp out beneath a canopy of stars, in awe of the 175-million-year-old geologic history that surrounds us at every turn!

Dreamland Safari Tours
Dreamland Safari Tours

Adventure highlights

  • Surreal scenery
    Feel millions of years of geological history amidst arches, bridges, and lush canyonlands of Coyote Gulch
  • Backpacking with like-minded women
    Discover the incredible Escalante backcountry alongside a fantastic, all-women team
  • All-inclusive adventure
    This means all accommodation, permits, meals, ground transport, and technical equipment is covered!

Itinerary

Nestled in the heart of the vast Grand Staircase-Escalante, Coyote Gulch is a true gem. It’s a winding, narrow canyon that makes its way down through incredible red rock country and joins with the Escalante River. We’ll spend 4 days in the backcountry, cut off from our daily routine, and leave the adventure totally refreshed. Everything is arranged for you—accommodation even pre and post-backpacking, all necessary transfers, permits, all food in the wild, and more! Come join our backpacking trip and head to the lush oasis hidden deep within the canyons of Escalante!

  • Upon your arrival in Escalante, UT, check into your hotel and meet your Coyote Gulch guide(s) at around 5pm. We will then go through the details of our adventure before enjoying our dinner at 7pm. We’ll get to meet each other before heading to our rooms for a good night’s sleep.

    Meals: Dinner
    Accommodation: Hotel in Escalante

    Road to the town of Escalante, Utah.
  • After breakfast, we’ll do a gear check, followed by a drive towards Hurricane Wash Trailhead along historic Hole In The Rock Road. Enjoy the beautiful scenery before getting to the trailhead, which marks the official beginning of the Coyote Gulch backpacking tour! Once we’ve reached our first camping spot, we’ll set up our tents and enjoy our first alfresco dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, light lunch, and dinner
    Accommodation: Camping

    A proud backpacker near a red sandstone rock formation, Coyote. Gulch, Utah.
  • In the mornings, we will eat our breakfast and break down our camp, hike, enjoy a light lunch, hike some more and set up our camp again. For the next two days, we’ll backpack the length of Coyote Gulch, past Jacob Hamblin Arch, Coyote Natural Bridge, and Cliff Arch towards the Escalante River. We then reverse our steps to return along the same route that we followed on the way in. The views are spectacular in both directions!

    Meals: Breakfast, light lunch, and dinner
    Accommodation: Camping

     

    Backpackers taking a break, sitting down and admiring the beautiful scenery of Coyote Gulch.
  • After breakfast, we’ll return to Hurricane Wash trailhead, followed by a drive back to Escalante & hotel check-in. What follows is a team celebration dinner! Go over the experience you’ve just had with fellow backpackers before getting some well-deserved rest.

    Meals: Breakfast, light lunch, and dinner
    Accommodation: Hotel in Escalante

    Layered sandstone rock formations and an arch in Coyote Gulch, Escalante, Southern Utah.
  • The tour finishes in the morning. Take a last chance to take a walk in the town to grab some breakfast before heading back to the airport. Say goodbye to your Coyote Gulch guide(s), fellow backpackers and to Utah—or continue touring on your own!

    Aerial view of the town of Escalante, Utah.
Adventure brochure
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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guide

Dreamland Safari Tours
5.00
Dreamland Safari Tours
Dreamland Safari Tours have been guiding outdoor enthusiasts along Utah’s most spectacular trails since 2001. Through the last 20 years, Dreamland received customer accolades and grew to become the largest and most comprehensive tour company in the Kanab Area. Paul and Sunny, current owners of Dreamland, are lifelong backcountry adventurers with a long history of exploring the Southwest. They are excited to introduce you to the secrets of the spectacular desert landscapes in Dreamland’s backyard.

Accommodation & food

5.00 (5 reviews)
Andrea L (source: Tripadvisor )

AMAZING company! Incredible company. Personal service, kind people, experienced and knowledgeable guides. Mel and Maddi were excellent backpacking guides for two backpacking trips in Coyote Gulch and Reflection Canyon. Mike was super knowledgeable about geology and history of the area on our day tour to South Coyote Buttes. I think I could spend many days in Kanab just going out with Dreamland on their various tours! Look no further!

isabear27 (source: Tripadvisor )

Fabulous multiple times over!! Best Kanab tour company ever! If you are going to tour this Utah area, this is the company to use! Everyone on staff is super responsive, kind, helpful, informative and safety oriented. I have been on three tours with Dreamland and will continue to book them for future visits. I have been consistently impressed with their guide’s education, knowledge, sharing, and attention to detail. It is especially great to have a driver with a four-wheel-drive vehicle to take us to places we would otherwise not be able to access. In terms of cost, it is not that much more expensive to hire this tour company than to rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle! Thank you Dreamland!! I’ll be back!

Tina Q (source: Tripadvisor )

Wow! Just wow! Everything I was hoping for and more. The geology was jaw dropping, the trip organization was stellar, and Sunny’s intimate knowledge of the canyon allowed us to see the little secrets that other will miss. But the best part was Sunny’s competency in not only leading the trip, but invoking a camaraderie and chemistry amongst a group of strangers that will inevitably lead to long term friendships. That is is a gift to all of us!

Mermaidgalit (source: Tripadvisor )

If you’re in the Kanab area a Dreamland Safari tour is a must! And if you’re not planning a trip yet, put it on your list. Everyone should see these places at least once in their lifetime. They rival the national parks. Dreamland guides are truly the best. We had 2 tours with Maddi, 2 tours with Andrea and 1 tour with Mel. These guides know the area and navigate the roads like the back of their hands. They made us feel like our comfort, safety and enjoyment of the trips was their top priority. They helped navigate the trails and got us to the picture perfect spots I had hoped for. These guides work so hard and make it seem easy. I am so grateful for what they do and the services they provide. Such genuine people and we so enjoyed our week with them, and already can’t wait to go back. They all live in the area and care for the land – they provide tours in a manner that protects and respects the beauty of it. Two of our tours were overnights, which I was a bit nervous for as we hadn’t slept in a tent in a very long time. They made us feel completely at ease and pampered (Thank you Maddi and Andrea!). And even for the avid campers/outdoors people, I’d highly recommend getting to these places with Dreamland as the roads are difficult and remote – yet again they make it look easy. Andrea, Maddi and Mel – thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Liese R. (source: Tripadvisor )

Completed the Coyote Gulch and Reflection Canyon Womens backpacking trip. Mel and Maddie were exceptional guides leaving no detail unanswered. Having experienced guides and outfitter is essential to this area. I can not recommend Dreamland Safari Tours enough. You become part of the family with hosted dinners and lodging on both ends of the adventure.

Things to know

  • Included:

      • An experienced, local backpacking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 4 days of backpacking in Coyote Gulch
      • 2 additional nights in Escalante pre- and post-trail (based on double occupancy)
      • All breakfasts, light lunches, and dinners while on the trail
      • 2 dinners in Escalante pre- and post-trail
      • Trailhead transport from and to Escalante
      • Lightweight backpacking tents (unless you prefer to bring your own)
      • Team cooking equipment
      • Water purification and/or water resupply
      • Satellite messenger communication in case of emergency
      • Human waste bags where required
      • Pre-trip gear & training advice as desired
      • Overnight permits for GSENM / GCRNA

    Add-ons:

      • Sleeping bag with pads — $50 person
      • Backpack — $50 per person

    Not included:

      • Transportation to Escalante
      • Personal bowl, cup, spoon
      • Guide gratuities — optional
      • Travel and medical insurance — recommended
  • To fully enjoy this all-women Coyote Gulch backpacking adventure, it’s important to be in good cardio shape and capable of carrying 35+ lbs for four consecutive days, covering 5 to 8 miles each day on uneven terrain.

    While the daily mileage is moderate and the elevation change minimal, the trail does present some unique challenges. Expect numerous shallow river crossings and stretches of mandatory wading, along with sections that require mild scrambling. Good mobility is essential for navigating these aspects of the backpacking experience.

    However, don’t let these challenges deter you! This guided tour is designed to cater to motivated first-time backpackers as well as more seasoned adventurers. With decades of experience in desert adventures, backcountry risk management, and expedition planning, your guide(s) will ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout the journey.

  • Here’s a list of things you need to bring:

      • Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 55-65L bag) — can be rented
      • Water bottles or hydration bladders (3L capacity)
      • Quality, durable hiking boots
      • Hiking attire
      • Spare clothes for layering
      • Waterproof rain jacket
      • Down jacket
      • Sunhat
      • Headlamp or flashlight
      • Sunglasses
      • Sleeping bag rated to 30 degrees or warmer with sleeping pads — can be rented
      • Personal bowl, cup, and spoon
      • Personal snacks
      • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
      • Camera — optional (but recommended)

    Once you book the tour, your guides will provide a comprehensive gear checklist, as well as recommendations for the gear you should buy or rent for this trip. Keep in mind that your guides provide lightweight tents, but let us know upon booking if you’d like to bring your own.

    If you need to rent anything (sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpacks, trekking poles), please let us know upon booking—your guides have a limited number of rentals which may be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis.

  • There is a safe spot to park your vehicle for the duration of the Coyote Gulch backpacking trip. Please note that you require this information upon booking and your guides will get back to you with an exact spot.

  • Group sizes and pricing

      • For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 5:1.
      • The maximum number of participants for this tour is 10, with 2 guides. It takes a minimum of 3 people for this tour to operate.

    All-women Coyote Gulch backpacking tours can be arranged for private and for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • To get to Escalante, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Salt Lake City International Airport or Las Vegas Herry Ride Airport. From there, you can rent a car or carpool with other backpackers (it’s about a 5-hour drive tio Escalante). Another option is flying into Cedar City Regional Airport, which is around 2 hours away by car.

    You will meet your guide at your accommodation in Escalante in the afternoon of Day 1, followed by a trip briefing and dinner.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

    Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

    Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

  • To secure your spot, a deposit in the amount of 50% is required at the time of booking. The remaining amount must be paid 90 calendar days prior to the trip departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If you cancel the booking…

      • More than 91 days before the departure date, you are entitled to a full refund (less the booking fees).
      • 61 to 90 days before the departure date, you are entitled to a refund in the amount of 80% of the full trip price (less the booking fees).
      • 31 to 60 days before the departure date, you are entitled to a refund in the amount of 70% of the full trip price (less the booking fees).
      • 8 to 30 days before the departure date, you are entitled to a refund in the amount of 60% of the full trip price (less the booking fees).
      • 48 hours to 7 days before the departure date, you are entitled to a refund in the amount of 30% of the full trip price (less the booking fees).
      • Within 48 hours of the departure date, no refund will be issued.

    Please note that booking fees are non-refundable in all cases and will be deducted from the refund amount.

    Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!

      • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
      • Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
      • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.
  • 57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.
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