As stated in our other Coyote Gulch post, Coyote Gulch is slowly starting to gain traction as one of the newest, must-do hikes in Utah. If you’re planning on day hiking down the Gulch, permits are not required allowing you get in and get out easily, but you’re honestly missing out if you don’t stay the night.
Coyote Gulch Permits
Even if you don’t plan on staying the night, it’s recommended that you sign in at the trail register that way if anything goes wrong, they know where to find you as well as how many people to look out for.
If you are one of the ones who would like to camp in the canyon, permits are required but don’t worry about having to jump through hoops to get them.
Getting permits for overnight camping in Coyote Gulch is incredibly easy and surprisingly free with very few restrictions to obtain and use.
All you have to do to get Coyote Gulch permits is simply show up to the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center, tell them your party size with 12 being the maximum allowed, listen to any rules that you may not have known, and drive to the trailhead.
[irp posts=”48471″ name=”The Wave Permit – Guide to Getting Yours”]
From the Coyote Gulch page on the National Park Service website:
The group size limit for Coyote Gulch is 12 people. Groups larger than 12 people must break up into smaller groups and maintain a minimum distance of ½ mile from each other while hiking and camping. Group size limits are strictly enforced. Permits will be denied and violators will be cited if limits are exceeded.
If you are planning to day hike, permits are not required for Coyote Gulch but for your own safety, you are encouraged to sign the trail register before beginning from any of the trailheads.
Do note that they will require you to give them the license plates of all vehicles going to the trailhead as well as letting them know which trailhead you’re parking at.
Don’t worry, they’re not trying to stalk you or make a profile on your vehicle, they just want to make sure everyone and everything is accounted for just in case the worst happens and they have to come and find you.
Just a quick refresher for those who may not know, Coyote Gulch is a leave no trace camping and hiking trail so be prepared to take all waste, that means people waste too, and trash out.
There are also no pets allowed as well as no campfires. Camp stoves are allowed for cooking but that’s it.