Coyote Buttes South

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Nestled within the vast Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Coyote Buttes South stands as one of the American Southwest’s most extraordinary and least-visited landscapes — a sprawling canvas of vibrant sandstone, surreal formations, and silent desert expanses that rival the famous Wave without the crowds. 

Unlike its northern counterpart (which requires winning a notoriously competitive permit lottery), South Coyote Buttes offers a more accessible yet equally breathtaking alternative, perfect for seasoned explorers, photographers, and anyone who wants to experience otherworldly terrain with a guide who knows the land intimately. 

This long-form guide dives deep into what makes Coyote Buttes South one of the region’s most rewarding destinations, why a guided tour delivers exceptional value, and how this experience complements the rest of your Lake Powell Scenic Tours itinerary.

Coyote Buttes South is a true desert gallery — a 3-mile-wide expanse of swirling color, sinuous rock shapes, and endless visual compositions that feel sculpted by imagination itself. Unlike North Coyote Buttes, where The Wave draws attention to a single iconic feature, South Coyote Buttes unfolds as a landscape of many wonders. Here, visitors encounter:

• The Control Tower — a dramatic monolith rising from the desert floor
   
• The Witch’s Hat — an elegant sandstone pinnacle with striking profile
   
• Half & Half — where contrasting bands of color split the rock in dramatic fashion
   
• Fossilized Dinosaur Tracks — rare evidence of ancient life in Jurassic sand
   
• The Southern Wave — a lesser-known but equally mesmerizing set of undulations
   
• and countless other ridges, fins, pockets, and abstract formations waiting around every bend.
   

These features are not arranged along a marked trail — instead, South Coyote Buttes invites exploration and discovery, with ever-changing light, shadow, and texture making every step feel like entering a new gallery in a natural museum.

Like all sensitive wilderness zones in the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, South Coyote Buttes requires a permit issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Permit quotas are limited, and official access via Recreation.gov includes both advance reservation and a geofenced lottery system similar to The Wave. 

What makes guided tours especially valuable here is that your outfitter can often assist with last-minute permit opportunities and has deep experience in successfully navigating the system, vastly reducing stress and increasing your chance of actually accessing the area you want to explore.

Once permit access is in hand, the adventure begins with a rugged drive into the remote Paria Plateau, where deep sand roads and rolling desert terrain set the stage for true wilderness exploration.

Reaching South Coyote Buttes isn’t like following a paved park road — it’s a journey into raw, open country. Roads across the Paria Plateau are unmaintained, comprised of deep sand and mixed terrain that reward capable drivers and reinforce the feeling of leaving modern life behind. 

Your tour includes:

• Pickup at your Page, AZ location — seamless start to the day
   
• Off-road drive into the Paria Plateau — scenic and exciting
   
• Entry near Cottonwood Cove and Paw Hole — strategic starting zones for exploration
   

Many iconic features — and the best light — are reached by short walks from the vehicle, allowing the tour to focus on exploration instead of long shifts of monotonous hiking.

While South Coyote Buttes is undeniably wild, it is also accessible to many capable hikers. Distances on guided tours average several miles of wandering through sand and slickrock, but there’s no fixed trail or technical climbing required unless guests choose to explore deeper pockets. A guided setting allows your pace, interest level, and energy to shape the experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned desert hiker or someone who simply loves beautiful places, South Coyote Buttes offers a shared sense of discovery that feels personal and profound.

What distinguishes a South Coyote Buttes tour from other regional attractions — including your own Wave or Alstrom Point experiences — is its scale of variety:

• More geological diversity in less distance than many famous hikes
   
• No single “must-see” throne view — instead, an environment that feels alive as you explore
   
• Extreme crowd dispersion, even on busy seasons
   
• A true wilderness feel with minimal infrastructure or signage
   

This is not a day at a scenic overlook — this is full immersion in ancient terrain.