Coyote Buttes South Jeep Expedition: Remote Sandstone Hike from Kanab

On a sun-baked mesa south of Kanab, Utah, Coyote Buttes South unspools like a private museum of sandstone forms. This remote sector of the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness sits in southern Utah near the Arizona border, and the daylong Jeep-supported trek visits narrow fins, sweeping cross-bedded slabs, potholes and wind-sculpted bowls that feel sculpted by slow, patient geology. A permit is required for access, and the trip is offered as a 7–8 hour outing with pickup from Kanab (meet at Coral Cliffs Tours, 681 E Chinle Dr, Kanab, UT 84741, USA) or at the House Rock Valley Road turnoff if you’re coming from Page.

The route is not marked and the terrain alternates between deep sand, slickrock and loose talus; expect roughly 3–4 miles of on-foot exploration depending on how far you roam. These are not the famous Wave’s repeating bands, but the southern neighbor offers equally arresting layers of ancient sand dunes turned stone, dramatic erosional bowls, and isolated towers that throw long shadows in late afternoon. Solitude is common here; groups may go hours without seeing another human, which is part of the draw.

Guides handle logistics and the permit process, but come prepared: desert navigation, strong footwear, and three liters of water are baseline. Summer temperatures can push into the extreme with almost no shade; spring and fall give cooler windowed days for photography and scrambling. The trip’s difficulty rating is high—the company notes a 5/5—and the grade reflects unmarked routes and sustained exertion rather than technical climbing.

Beyond the rock forms, you’ll find brittle desert flora—sage, rabbitbrush—and signs of wildlife such as coyote prints and occasional raptor thermals overhead. The area is managed as part of the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, federal land that protects this 112,500-acre swath of canyon and cliff country. That protection keeps the character raw and the visitor experience intimate, but it also means permits and strict Leave No Trace practices keep impact low.

Practically: book early to secure a permit, plan for long daylight hours, carry a map and GPS, and intend for a full 7–8 hour window with vehicle time included. Photography rewards patience—soft morning light and the deep oranges of late afternoon reveal textures that mid-day flatness erases. For travelers based in Kanab or Page, this is a full-commitment day that repays effort with quiet expanses of sandstone that feel, quite literally, ancient.

This offering is labeled 'CALL TO BOOK ONLY'—guides can pick you up anywhere local to Kanab and will provide the permit link after booking. If you are driving in independently, expect a dusty jeep approach and a short unpaved road; groups of seven or more must call ahead to confirm vehicle and staffing arrangements and timing.