Itinerary
- Day 1
St. George to Coyote Gulch
You'll start early with a 5-hour shuttle drive from St. George heading out to the remote trailhead at Coyote Gulch headwaters. Once you arrive, the real adventure begins with a 3.5-mile hike downstream. The wash starts pretty open but gradually narrows into a canyon with Navajo Sandstone walls rising around you. You'll see waterfalls and pour-offs along the way, which makes for some nice photo spots. By evening, you'll reach a cottonwood grove where you'll set up camp for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike 3.5 miles from trailhead through upper Coyote Gulch wash to cottonwood grove campsite
- View pour-offs and short waterfalls along the wash
Landmarks Coyote Gulch Navajo Sandstone formations - Day 2
Backcountry Arch - Natural Bridge
After breakfast, you'll hike about 6 miles downstream through cottonwood and willow stands as Coyote Gulch deepens into a towering sandstone corridor. The trail involves plenty of creek crossings, so your feet will get wet multiple times during the day. Along the way, you'll come across a backcountry arch and walk under a natural bridge. After setting up camp and having dinner, head out to explore some Fremont Indian ruins and pictograph panels nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike 6 miles downstream through deepening Coyote Gulch canyon
- Pass by backcountry arch
- Walk underneath natural bridge
- Explore Fremont Indian ruins, pictograph panel, and dwelling after dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional day hikes in the area
Landmarks Backcountry arch in Coyote Gulch Natural bridge in Coyote Gulch Fremont Indian ruins - Day 3
Coyote Gulch to Escalante River Confluence
Start with a leisurely breakfast, then head out for a 3.5-mile hike downstream. You'll pass under a spectacular arch that sits several hundred feet above the canyon floor, which is really something to see. The canyon opens up more here with steeper hillsides and sandstone terraces creating interesting formations. By the end of the day, you'll reach the confluence where Coyote Gulch meets the Escalante River, and you'll get views framed through Stevens Arch. You can do optional day hikes or just relax at camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike 3.5 miles downstream to Escalante River confluence
- View spectacular arch hundreds of feet above canyon floor
- Hike on sandstone terraces above stream
- Arrive at dramatic campsite at confluence overlooking Escalante Canyon
Optional Activities
- Day hike upstream along Escalante River (approximately 2 miles)
- Day hike to remote and spectacular side canyon (approximately 2 miles)
- Relax in camp and enjoy canyon views
Landmarks Stevens Arch Escalante River - Day 4
Escalante River Confluence to St. George
After breakfast, you'll break camp and start a 2.5-mile uphill hike through soft sand toward the 'crack in the wall,' a narrow crevice that lets you escape the canyon's upper cliff wall. Once you reach the rim, the views open up across the desert landscape. From there, you'll hike another 2 miles across open terrain to reach the trailhead. The shuttle ride back to St. George takes about 5 hours, giving you time to reflect on the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Hike 2.5 miles uphill through soft sand to 'crack in the wall' crevice
- Hike 2 miles across desert to ending trailhead
Landmarks Escalante River canyon system
