South Coyote Buttes is one of my favorite hiking places. The scenery is amazing! The landscape is so unique you feel like you’re on another planet. South Coyote Buttes is a vast area where you can escape the crowds. If you happen to see other people, it won’t be for long.
How the South Coyote Buttes Permit System Works
Permits are required to enter this area and they must be awarded in advance through a lottery system. You can obtain a permit through a daily lottery or an advanced permit.
Daily Lottery
The daily lottery occurs online by going to recreation.gov within a geofence area. Click here to see a map of the geofence boundaries.
Permits for the daily lottery are granted two days before the permit date. To apply, a group member must be within the geofence during the application window of 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, two days before the permit date.
Advanced Permits
If you’d like to plan your trip, you can apply for a permit online three months before the month you would like a permit. Reservations are accepted at noon (MT) on the 1st of each month for a permit during the third month ahead.
Directions to South Coyote Buttes Access Points
There are three possible access points to Coyote Buttes South:
- Lone Tree | 2WD accessible (high clearance recommended, though not absolutely necessary)
- Paw Hole | 4WD (not AWD!) high clearance vehicle required, 2.5 miles past Lone Tree
- Cottonwood Cove | 4WD (not AWD!) high clearance vehicle required, 7 miles (by road) past Paw Hole
Directions to the Lone Tree Access Point
Once you’re on House Rock Valley Road, you’ll drive about 16 miles until you reach BLM Road 1079. At this point, you’ll see a road to the left (BLM Road 1079) and some big signs that warn visitors not to go any farther if they don’t have high clearance and 4WD.
The small parking lot to the left of the signs is the Lone Tree Access Point. If you don’t have high clearance or 4WD, this is where you’ll park.
Directions to Paw Hole & Cottonwood Canyon
If you continue along BLM Road 1079, you’ll reach the Paw Hole entrance point in about 2.5 miles. To reach Cottonwood Cove, you’ll continue along the sandy road for another 7 miles.
If you park at Lone Tree, you must hike 2.5 miles along the road to Paw Hole on the way in and out.
Tours of South Coyote Buttes
If you want to visit Coyote Buttes South but don’t have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle or are unfamiliar with the area, I highly recommend taking a tour! I promise it will be worth your money.
I had hiked around South Coyote Buttes with friends who knew the area, and it was great, but I eventually took a tour with Steve from Paria Outfitters, and I discovered so much more! The tour was worth it, and it helped me become more familiar with the area so I could explore on my own.
Hiking
There is a lot of freedom when hiking South Coyote Buttes because there are no designated trails. However, not having trails makes navigation and travel a lot harder. Having offline navigation, such as a map downloaded on AllTrails or a GPS, is beneficial.
Two distinct areas in South Coyote Buttes are Paw Hole and Cottonwood Cove. Paw Hole covers the southern area, while Cottonwood covers the northern area. Both areas are incredible, but I recommend spending more time in Cottonwood.
Cottonwood Cove
Cottonwood Cove is located just north of Paw Hole. It has a lot of interesting rock formations and colors! Some of the most famous sites in Cottonwood Cove are the Control Tower, the Sorting Hat, Half and Half, and the Second Wave, amongst many others. There are also a few dinosaur tracks west of the control tower.
Another good formation is a hoodoo named “The Chess Queen.” The Chess Queen is northeast of the Cottonwood Cove parking area on the right side of the road. It is outside the permit area and is best shot at sunset.
Everywhere you look, you will find beauty; if you don’t know the name of a rock, come up with one of your own. The Sorting Hat was always called the Witches Hat, but I thought it was much more appropriate once I saw it!
Paw Hole
The Paw Hole area of Coyote Buttes South is more accessible but does not have as much to see. Paw Hole is known for its large orange “teepees” of rock that rise out of the ground in swirling patterns.
It is possible to hike between Paw Hole and Cottonwood Cove, but it isn’t easy, and you will consume a lot of energy without experiencing the best view of either place. I would recommend doing one and then the other. Some possible itineraries are listed below.
Some of My Favorite Rocks
Tips for visiting Coyote Buttes South
- Carry a printed copy of your permit with you. You must be able to show your permit if stopped by a ranger. Technically, you’re supposed to have it printed, but a screenshot on your phone will also do (we called the ranger station to confirm). Remember, you won’t have service to pull it up.
- Be prepared to visit a remote and rugged desert environment. Coyote Buttes South is extremely remote, and you are responsible for your safety. Only attempt to drive on roads you or your car are equipped to handle. There is no cell service; help could be hours or days away. Make sure to carry plenty of water, be prepared with offline navigation, and always tell someone where you are going.
- There are no trails. There are no trails in Coyote Buttes South, so you are responsible for navigating the area and finding your way back.
- Carry plenty of water, food, and sun protection. This is the desert. The sun will be intense, and temperatures can be scorching. There is very little shade. Make sure you bring plenty of food, water, and sun protection.
- Do not attempt to access the area if rain is in the forecast. Both House Rock Valley Road and BLM Road 1079 become impassable when wet.
- There is no cell service. Before you leave, download your offline maps and tell someone your plans. You won’t have any contact with the outside world once you leave the Kanab area.
Leave It Better Than You Found It
Remember to respect nature and follow ethical practices when engaging in outdoor activities. Always leave a place better than you found it, and practice the principles of Leave No Trace. Enjoy your time exploring the trails and discovering the area’s hidden treasures!
More Hikes on House Rock Valley Road
Buckskin Gulch
Buckskin Gulch is one of the world’s longest and deepest slot canyons, located in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness area near the Utah-Arizona border. The entire length of the canyon is approximately 15 miles, but many hikers opt for shorter out-and-back hikes or combine it with nearby canyons like Paria Canyon for longer backpacking trips. The difficulty of the hike depends primarily on weather conditions; if there is water or flooding, the canyon can be difficult to navigate. The canyon also poses extreme risks of flash flooding.
Double Barrel Arch
Double Barrel Arch consists of two distinct arches side by side, resembling the barrels of a double-barreled shotgun. The distance to Double Barrel Arch is typically around 1 to 2 miles round trip from the nearest parking area. The difficulty of the hike to Double Barrel Arch is considered to be moderate.
Edmaiers Secret
Edmaiers Secret is a hidden gem in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument near the Arizona-Utah border. It’s not a single destination but rather a collection of intricate sandstone formations known for their vibrant colors and unique shapes. There isn’t a fixed distance for exploring Edmaiers Secret, as it’s more of an area than a specific trail.
Maze Rock Art Site
The Maze Rock Art Site along House Rock Valley Road is a significant archaeological site in the remote backcountry of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah. The distance to the Maze Rock Art Site is 1.4 miles round trip and is considered moderate.
The Wave (North Coyote Buttes)
North Coyote Buttes is home to various fascinating rock formations, including wave-like ridges, towering hoodoos, and swirling sandstone patterns. “The Wave” is the most iconic feature of North Coyote Buttes, attracting visitors from around the world. The hike to the Wave is 6.5 miles round trip and considered moderate to strenuous.
White Pocket
White Pocket is famous for its unique and otherworldly landscape. The distance to White Pocket varies depending on the route taken. There isn’t a specific trail; most hikers walk 2-5 miles exploring the scenery. Getting to White Pocket is half the adventure, requiring a long drive on a dirt and sand road.
Wire Pass
Wire Pass is a slot canyon that leads to the main access point for exploring Buckskin Gulch. The distance to Wire Pass is 3.5 miles round trip. The difficulty is considered moderate. Most of the hike is easy, but there is one large drop-off that can be scrambled or avoided by venturing to the right. Hiking to Wire Pass is a great adventure on its own, or it can be combined with Buckskin Gulch.