Coyote Buttes South Daily Lottery FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit?

You must have a permit for hiking in Coyote Buttes South. The fees are $5.00 per person. Dogs must be included on the permit, and the fee is $5.00 per dog. 

Can I get a self-pay permit at the trailhead?

No. Self-pay permits are only available for day-use within Buckskin Gulch, Paria Canyon, and Wire Pass. These permits do not give you access to Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) or South. You must purchase permits for Coyote Buttes South on the first-come, first-served calendar through the Coyote Buttes South Advanced Permit or through the Coyote Buttes South Daily Lottery. 

How do I get a permit online?

For Coyote Buttes South, you can get online permits by selecting available dates on a calendar. These permits are first-come, first-served and are made available up to four months in advance. If you are planning a trip less than four months in advance, you have two options: check the calendar on the permit page to see if any slots are available, or you can enter the Coyote Buttes South Daily Lottery two days before you want to hike.

We accept applications beginning at noon on	for a permit during
Jan. 1	April
Feb. 1	May
March 1	June
April 1	July
May 1	August
June 1	September
July 1	October
Aug. 1	November
Sept. 1	December
Oct. 1	January
Nov. 1	February
Dec. 1	March

How many permits do you issue online?

We issue half of the available daily slots through the Coyote Buttes South Advanced Permit which is a first-come, first served calendar. The other half of the permits are issued through the Coyote Buttes South Daily Lottery. The total number of permits will vary by group size, with each option permitting 10 people per day.

What are the odds of getting a permit online?

Permits for spring and fall fill up quickly; summer and winter are less popular.

How do I get a walk-in permit?

The Bureau of Land Management transitioned the in-person, walk-in permits to a mobile based geofence system to provide a safer and more convenient lottery experience. The new Daily Lottery geofence system allows applicants to use location-enabled mobile devices to apply with intentionally set geographic boundaries. Read the release to find out more.

Am I limited to one trip per year?

No, but you cannot hold more than one permit for a permit area at the same time.

Am I limited to one trip per month?

No, but you cannot hold more than one permit for a permit area at the same time.

Is there a daily limit on people in Coyote Buttes?

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

How many groups may enter per day?

There is a maximum of 8 groups per day.

What is the group size limit?

No more than six people per group. If you exceed this limit, you may be cited. Joining people on a separate permit to exceed six people is prohibited. Everyone, regardless of age, must be included in the permit. This includes infants that are not walking.  

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

No modifications can be made for the date. Group size can be modified until the lottery runs. Once the lottery has run, no changes can be made. If the primary permit holder cannot make the trip on the permit date, the permit is invalid.

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

Day 1 – Application: Apply between 6 AM and 6 PM two days ahead of the desired entry date. Lottery results are sent out at 7:15 PM this evening. Window opens to accept winning lottery at 7:15.

Day 2 – Safety Briefing: Successful applicants must accept the permit and pay fees by 8 AM Utah time and be onsite at a permit pickup location at 9:00 AM local time for a safety briefing. Local time may be different between pick-up locations. During Daylight Savings, 9:00 in Utah is 8:00 in Arizona (except the Navajo Nation).

Day 3 – Permit date: Permit-holders have the day to explore Coyote Buttes South.

Missing any deadline will void your successful permit award.

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?

We charge permit fees for the Coyote Buttes North and South, Buckskin Gulch, Wire Pass and the Paria Canyon permit areas only. The rest of the surrounding areas are open to use without permits or limits. Permits for Coyote Buttes South are valid only for Coyote Buttes South, for the group size and date specified. They are not valid for other permit areas. They are not valid for The Wave.  

Can I get a "rain check" after I pay my fees?

No. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. We cannot issue "rain checks" for any reason.

Can I get a refund for my fee?

No, fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.