This 4-day backpacking trip into Coyote Gulch is built for hikers who want to go beyond the viewpoints and into the heart of Utah’s canyon country. We move through a landscape of towering sandstone walls, natural arches, flowing water, and surprisingly lush canyon floors, carrying everything we need along the way. Days are long and rewarding, with time to explore side canyons and soak it all in, while nights are spent camping under wide desert skies. With permits, meals, and group gear taken care of, we can focus on the experience from start to finish.
You’ll meet the guides at 7 am in Escalante, Utah, for orientation and a gear check, and then you’ll be transported to the trailhead (90 min drive). From there, we will hike down into Coyote Gulch and set up camp in a side canyon.
Accommodation: Backcountry camping (tents)
Meals: Dinner
Hiking: 9.7 km (6 mi)
Elevation: start 1,433 m (4,700 ft), end 1,250 m (4,100 ft)
After breakfast, we’ll climb up and cross King Mesa, then drop down into Escalante Canyon. Then we’ll camp near Stevens Arch and eat dinner before going to sleep under the starry sky.
Accommodation: Backcountry camping (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 16.9 km (10.5 mi)
Elevation: start 1,250 m (4,100 ft), end 1,128 m (3,700 ft)
We head out on two side trips to explore Stevens Canyon and Stevens Arch, then turn up into Coyote Gulch. Later on, we’ll camp near Coyote Bridge and have a nice dinner together.
Accommodation: Backcountry camping (tents)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 13.4 km (8.3 mi)
Elevation: start 1,128 m (3,700 ft), end 1,250 m (4,100 ft)
We hike up and out of the gulch, reaching the trailhead around noon, then drive back to Escalante, which marks the end of this amazing backpacking adventure.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 5.3 km (3.3 mi)
Elevation: start 1,250 m (4,100 ft), end 1,433 m (4,700 ft)
Included:
Add-ons:
Not included:
This is a strenuous and challenging backpacking trip and solid preparation is required. You’ll be hiking up to 16–19 km (10–12 miles) per day, often on rocky, steep, and unmaintained terrain, while carrying a backpack weighing around 16 kg (35 lbs), plus an additional 4–5 kg (8–10 lbs) of shared gear.
To be ready, you should train specifically for backpacking. That means hiking with a weighted pack, in the same footwear you’ll use on the trip, over long distances and uneven terrain. You’ll also be walking in and crossing water regularly, so getting used to hiking in wet shoes is important.
Some sections include exposure near cliffs and brief Class 3 scrambling, so you should feel comfortable with heights and moving over uneven terrain. This trip is not recommended for those with vertigo.
Proper preparation is essential. Being physically ready ensures you can enjoy the experience safely and fully, as evacuations in this remote backcountry are complex and not always guaranteed.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Grand Canyon hiking tours here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Make sure your gear is tested and comfortable before the trip—especially your footwear and pack—as you’ll be carrying everything with you throughout the adventure.
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Group sizes and pricing
A hiking Coyote Gulch adventure can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 16, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The price for this hiking Coyote Gulch adventure is based on twin-share tents, but a single occupancy tent can be arranged at an additional fee. Please leave a note at checkout if interested.
The starting point of your hiking Coyote Gulch adventure is Escalante, UT. To get there, most people fly into Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) or Las Vegas Airport (LAS). From there, you can rent a car to reach Escalante, UT.
You will meet your guide at 7 am on Day 1 in Escalante.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.