If you are unable to access the permit pages, you will need to change your security settings to accommodate BLM secure web page requirements. Click "Tools" on the menu bar, then click "Internet Options", "Advanced" tab and then scroll down to the Security Section and check the box "Use TLS 1.0". Click "OK", then try the permit page again.

Coyote Buttes South, and Paria Canyon Overnight

Applications accepted beginning at 12pm on	for a permit during
January 1	April
February 1	May
March 1	June
April 1	July
May 1	August
June 1	September
July 1	October
August 1	November
September 1	December
October 1	January
November 1	February
December 1	March

Coyote Buttes North Lottery Schedule

Apply between	for a permit during	Lottery Run at 9:00 a.m. MST remaining permits available
January 1 - 31	May	February 1
February 1 - 28	June	March 1
March 1 - 31	July	April 1
April 1- 30	August	May 1
May 1 - 31	September	June 1
June 1 - 30	October	July 1
July 1 - 31	November	August 1
August 1 - 31	December	September 1
September 1 - 30	January	October 1
October 1 - 31	February	November 1
November 1 - 30	March	December 1
December 1 - 31	April	January 1

How many permits are issued online?

Half of the available daily slots for Coyote Buttes North and Coyote Buttes South are issued online. The total number of permits will vary by group size, but the total available slots for each area is 20 persons per day. Ten are issued online. The other ten are issued as walk-in permits.

Why is there a lottery and how does it work?

Coyote Buttes North is an internationally renowned hiking destination. In order to make it fair for everyone who wishes to visit, a lottery system has been put in place. (Coyote Buttes South is still on the calendar system) The lottery works like this:

• You can apply up to four months in advance.
• You have an entire month to apply.
• You can apply for up to three entry dates per application. If you are a successful applicant you will only be authorized one trip.
• There is a non-refundable $5 administrative fee to apply per application.
• You will be notified on the first of the month via e-mail whether your application was successful or not.
• See the "Lottery Example" below for a more detailed explanation.

Lottery Example

Let's say you wanted to visit Coyote Buttes North in April. Here is the procedure you would follow.

• Go to the Permit Page between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31.
• Follow the directions, choosing up to three possible entry dates. If successful, you will only be authorized one date.
• You will be notified via e-mail the first day in January whether your lottery application was successful or not.
• After being notified, you will have 14 calendar days to pay for your permit. You can pay online with your credit card. Your e-mail notification will contain a link to a secure web page, where you can go to pay and submit the remainder of your trip information.
• Your permit will be mailed to you four to six weeks after you have paid your fees, unless you chose the option to pick it up in Kanab, St. George, or the Paria Contact Station when you filled out your permit application.

What are the odds of getting a permit online?

Permits for Coyote Buttes South are usually available. If you enter the lottery for Coyote Buttes North, attempting to obtain a permit for the months of April, May, September, or October, the odds are about 10%. For other months (off-season), the odds are better.

How do I obtain a walk-in permit?

If you missed the online lottery and are visiting the Southern Utah/Northern Arizona area, you can obtain a walk-in permit for Coyote Buttes North (the Wave) and Coyote Buttes South at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah. From mid-March to Mid November, walk-in permits can be obtained seven (7) days a week. From mid-November through mid-March, walk-in permits are issued Monday-Friday, except for federal holidays (including Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and President's Day). During this time, permits for Saturday-Monday are drawn on Friday. Please call the number at the bottom of this page if you have any questions about the walk-in permit process.

Walk-in permit procedures:

• For Coyote Buttes North (The Wave), be at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah (745 E. Highway 89 in Kanab Utah across from Walkers gas station and Wendy’s restaurant) from 8:30-9 a.m. Mountain Standard Time -Utah- (9am Daylight Savings Time in summer) to submit your application. For permits to Coyote Buttes South, be at the same location and submit your application between 9:30-10:00 a.m. The lotteries for Coyote Buttes North and Coyote Buttes South will run at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively.  
• Walk-in permits must be paid with either cash or by checks. No credit cards can be accepted.
• If there are 10 persons or less seeking permits, you will be issued one on the spot for the next day.
• If all ten permits were not issued the previous day, a same day permit may be available.
• If there are more than 10 persons seeking a permit, there will be a drawing for the next day's 10 open slots.
• Only one person per group may enter the drawing.  If more than one member from your group submits an application, your group will be disqualified from the lottery.
• If you receive a walk-in permit, you must wait two weeks before you can re-enter the drawing.
• Permit holders may be required to show their government issued I.D.

Walk-in Permit Example 

• Three groups show up on a Tuesday. One group of six and two groups of four
• A drawing is held with one potential permit being available for each group
• If the group of six and the group of four are successful, all ten slots are filled
• If the two groups of four are successful, there are still two slots remaining, and the group of six is then faced with a difficult decision, because only two of their party can receive a permit.

Some people have tried to circumvent the process by having more than one person in their group enter the drawing. This is dishonest and unfair to those who follow the rules. Please respect your fellow hikers and the BLM staff.  If more than one member from your group submits an application, your group will be disqualified from the lottery.

Is it possible to get a permit without buying it in advance?

No. But it is possible to get a walk-in permit one day in advance at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah (see previous instructions for walk-in permits).

Are there overnight permits?

No. Coyote Buttes is a day-use area only. There is no water available and there are no areas that cannot be reached in a day hike, so it would not be a good overnight destination.

Am I limited to one trip per year?

No, however, each trip requires a separate application and payment of fees.

Am I limited to one trip per month?

Using the lottery system, you are limited to one trip per month. If you obtain a permit using the calendar, you can obtain as many permits as there are available, but each must be purchased individually. If you obtain a walk-in permit, you cannot obtain another for two weeks.

Are there limits on the total number of people per day in Coyote Buttes?

Yes. We allow 20 people per day into both Coyote Buttes North and Coyote Buttes South. This is a cumulative total from all trailheads/access points.

What is the group size limit?

No more than six persons per group. If the group is larger than 6 people, the group will need to split into two groups of no more than 6 people each and each group is required to enter the area on a separate day and is not permitted to travel with, or enter or exit with, the other group.

How many groups may enter per day?

The number of groups is not limited. However, group size is limited to six and the combined trailhead/access point entry is no more than 20 persons per day for each area.

Once I have my permit, can I change dates or group size?

Yes, but you are limited in what you can do. A date change requires a $30 fee and available hiking slots on the current hiking availability calendars. A group size increase is handled by obtaining a new permit for the additional group members, keeping in mind that you cannot exceed the group size limit.

• Permits are non-transferable.
• If you need to cancel your trip you can cancel the permit by mailing it back to the St. George, Utah office at:  345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah 84790.  Once the permit is received, the trip will be canceled and the permit returned to the calendar.

How long will it take to get my permit after I make my purchase?

You can expect your permit about four to six weeks after you pay the permit fee.

If you applied for a permit using the lottery, you will be notified whether you were successful or not on the first day of the following month. For instance, if you apply for a lottery application in July for the month of November, you will be notified via e-mail on August 1.

Are commercial guide permits available?

The BLM Arizona Strip and Kanab Field Offices authorize special recreation permits for commercial guide services.

Do the required permits apply to the entire wilderness?

Permit fees are charged for the Coyote Buttes North and South, Buckskin Gulch, Wire Pass and overnight Paria Canyon permit areas only. The surrounding areas are open to use without permits or limits.

Are permit fees required?

Yes. Permit fees must be paid in advance to permit authorization for each visitor.  There are no special fee considerations for Coyote Buttes North or Coyote Buttes South areas.

What are the fees?

• $5.00 per person per day for Coyote Buttes South and $7.00 per person per day for Coyote Buttes North. There is a non-refundable $5 application fee for the Coyote Buttes North lottery.
• Permits are non-transferable.
• If you need to cancel your trip, you can cancel the permit by mailing it back to the St. George, Utah office at:  345 E. Riverside Drive, St. George, Utah  84790.  Once the permit is received, the trip will be canceled and the permit returned to the calendar.

Does my America the Beautiful Pass give me a discount on permit fees?

No. America the Beautiful Passes passes are only accepted for entrance fees to areas such as national parks or some national conservation areas. Special Recreation Permits for Coyote Buttes and Paria Canyon are not part of the America the Beautiful Pass program.

Does my Senior and Access Passes give me a discount on fees?

Senior and Access passes are not accepted.

Where do I pay my fees?

Fees for online permits can only be paid by credit card. Fees for permits issued by phone can be paid by credit card or check mailed to the BLM Arizona Strip District Office; checks must be received before a permit application is authorized and a permit number is issued.

 Can I get a "raincheck" after I pay my fees?

No. Permits are nonrefundable and non-transferable. “Rainchecks” cannot be issued for any reason. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Are fee refunds made?

Fees are nonrefundable.

 Vermilion Cliffs National Monument 
Monument Manager:  Kevin Wright
345 E. Riverside Drive
St. George, UT 84790-6714
(435) 688-3200 
Hours: 7:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday 
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Saturday 
Closed Sunday