The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Coyote Buttes South is located in the lower half of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness in northern Arizona opposite of Coyote Buttes North, or the Wave, in the upper half. This area is characterized by scenic natural rock formations and erosion landmarks. The Coyote Buttes South area is owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a United States governmental organization that ensures the area's formations and wildlife are protected from human damage. When you visit Coyote Buttes South, you can hike, climb, and photograph the rock formations, and you can also explore the unique Dinosaur Trackway, which is an area about 0.75 acres packed full of preserved dinosaur footprints.
There are several national parks you can visit that are in Arizona and nearby Utah, including Grand Canyon National Park, which is three hours and 16 minutes south of Coyote Buttes South; Zion National Park, which is three hours and 10 minutes northwest of Coyote Buttes South in Utah; and Bryce Canyon National Park, which is also in Utah approximately three hours and 33 minutes north of Coyote Buttes South.
In order to visit Coyote Buttes South, you will need to register yourself and your group of up to six people for a hiking permit to the area. Only 20 people are allowed to use the area each day, so it may be necessary to register months in advance for your trip. However, some walk-in permits are issued at the Kanab Visitor Center in Utah for next-day use. Permits are priced at $5 per person, and dogs are allowed if they are leashed for an extra $5 per dog. Horses and other pack animals are prohibited on the land, and most travel must be done by either foot or an eligible off-roading vehicle.
This unofficial trail of the Coyote Buttes South area is unmarked but has been carved out over time because of lots of foot and vehicle traffic on the path. The Coyote Buttes South via Pine Tree Road trail itself is lengthy but gives hikers the opportunity to see wildflowers among the rock formations of the Coyote Buttes South wilderness.
Length: 22 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Cottonwood Teepees Trail follows a route through the rock teepees of the Coyote Buttes South area. This trail is somewhat difficult because it is a path made of deep sand pockets.
Length: 12.5 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Wire Pass Trail in the Coyote Buttes South area leads users up to what is considered the longest slot canyon in the United States.
Length: 3.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
There are lots of animals that may be seen in the Coyote Buttes South desert area, including species of rodents and lizards. Some larger mammals are also native to the area, like coyotes and mountain lions, though they may be more difficult to glimpse.
Picnicking is permitted in the Coyote Buttes South area, but there are no picnic tables or shelters to use in the wilderness. Be sure to bring your own supplies, like camping chairs or blankets to sit on, and remember that you will be responsible for packing out your trash as there are no garbage cans in the area. It should also be noted that feeding the wildlife is prohibited, and you should choose spots to eat that are far from any animals.
Perhaps the biggest reason Coyote Buttes South attracts so many visitors is the scenic landscape. There are tons of unique rock formations that have been created by geological erosion over centuries, and there are some rock sculptures that were created over time with natural wind damage with Turtle Rock, Dali Rock, and The Frog being a few of them. Some of the best photos of the formations can be taken either at dawn or dusk, though those wanting to take photographs at sunset should note that the area will be closed to hikers after dark.
If you are interested in RV camping but do not want to camp in a primitive area, consider staying at Wahweap RV Campground, which is an RV park with electricity, water, and shower and laundry facilities that's two hours and six minutes northeast of Coyote Buttes South. You can also check out Kaibab Camper Village, an hour and 45 minutes southwest of Coyote Buttes South. It is located on the Grand Canyon's North Rim and provides full-hookup RV sites, coin-operated shower, laundry facilities, picnic tables, and a camp store.
There are no options for Bureau of Land Management free camping at the Coyote Buttes South region as overnight stays are prohibited. However, you can still stay at different Bureau of Land Management campgrounds nearby, such as Stateline Campground, an hour and eight minutes northwest of Coyote Buttes South in Utah, and White House Campground, an hour and 46 minutes northeast of Coyote Buttes South in Utah. To find other nearby primitive options, try searching for "BLM camping near me."
When you want to visit Coyote Buttes South, be sure to plan ahead and apply for a hiking permit online or in person. When you have your day permit, try to plan your schedule around the date that you will be permitted to go hiking in the area because it will be difficult to reschedule your permit date. When you get ready to go to Coyote Buttes South, pack everything you will need for your day trip since there will be no places to get potable water or dispose of your trash on the land. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
The Coyote Buttes South area follows the Leave No Trace Policy put in place by the BLM in order to protect the environment and wildlife of the land. When you visit Coyote Buttes South, you will need to follow this policy by picking up anything you bring into the area and burying both human and dog waste away from water sources. Keep your distance from the wildlife since this is their home, and you are merely a visitor to their habitat.
To reach Coyote Buttes South from Paige, Arizona, take Highway 89 for 72 miles until you reach Kanab, Utah. From there, immediately turn right onto Fairway Drive, and then, turn right onto the unnamed road that will take you to the Coyote Buttes South entrance.
Ready to visit Coyote Buttes South? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night, where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice, soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.