South Coyote Buttes Sunset Tour
8 Hour Sunset Tour - $299 per Person
Quick Summary
South Coyote Buttes is a huge area full of great surprises for the visiting photographer. You can really let your creativity run wild here and take many unique photos. This tour is rated Moderate for physical intensity with 2-4 miles of hiking. There are myriad formations, stripes, and textures to photograph and you'll be busy pressing that shutter button! Professional photography instruction included to help you take your best shots.
Highlights
- South Coyote Buttes is a huge area full of great surprises for the visiting photographer. You can really let your creativity run wild here and take many unique photos.
- We have found that the Cottonwood Cove area is best for photographers and unless otherwise requested, that is where we'll go.
- Leave the difficult 4x4 driving and route finding to us and maximize your photography time. Professional photo instruction and critique included on all trips.
- Small group size capped at 5 people to ensure personalized instruction and individualized attention.
- If you already have permits, you're set to go. If you don't have permits, you'll want to attend try your luck at the Daily Lottery Click Here to learn more about permits.
Permits
- Permits are required to access South Coyote Buttes and must be obtained via lottery. As commercial guides, we have our own permits for South Coyote Buttes and we will not count against the quota on your personal permit. However, all clients must procure their own permits.
- To apply for the online lottery, simply visit THIS LINK and look for available dates on the calendar. For the best chances, go to the calendar 3 months ahead of time at 12PM on the 1st day of the month. Dates can fill quickly after the 1st of the month. For example, if you wanted to visit in August, you would visit the calendar on May 1st at 12PM and select an August date for your permit.
- The other option is the walk-in lottery which is held at the Kanab Convention Center. You’ll want to be there between 9:45 and 10AM Utah Time to submit your application. If fewer than 10 people are there, permits are issued on the spot. If not, there will be a drawing. There is not usually as much competition for South Coyote Walk-In permits compared to the Wave.
- More information on the permit system can be found here: Coyote Buttes Permits
Trip Details
- Tour Length: 8 hours
- Drive Time: A little over 2 hours each way with 1 hour on pavement and 1 hour on rough roads.
- Time Spent on Location: Approx 3.5 hrs
- Tour Departure Time: Departure times vary throughout the year. Please refer to the time listed on your booking. Plan to arrive 10 mins early to load your gear and finish the check-in process. The return time is approximately 8 hours after the departure time. Note that we operate on Utah time which is one hour ahead of Las Vegas. During the months of Daylight Savings (approx mid-March through early Nov), Utah is also one hour ahead of Arizona.
- Minimum Group Size: Our tours require a minimum of 2 people for the base price. After you book, we will try to combine single travelers with others. In the event the minimum is not met, you will have the option to pay the 2-person rate and go on a private tour, reschedule to a different date, or cancel and get a full refund.
- Tour Meetup Location: You will meet at our home in Kanab, UT. The address will be given in your confirmation email. This is a safe place to park your vehicle and you can leave any valuables inside. Once you arrive, you'll load your gear and sign a liability release waiver. Las Vegas is the closest major airport to Kanab. There is no public transportation to Kanab, so you’ll need your own rental car or private vehicle. We recommend that you stay in a hotel in Kanab the evening of your tour. There are many good hotels in the area like the Best Western, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn & Suites, and the Canyons Botique.
- Areas: South Coyote Buttes is a large area that simply cannot be fully explored in a single day (or even a week). We’ve found the Cottonwood Cove area to be the most photogenic and this is where we take the majority of our clients. However, we may decide to visit the Paw Hole section if we are short on time or due to client interest. The South Teepees can be accessed via a long hike from Cottonwood Cove.
More Trip Details....
- Tour Meetup Outside of Kanab: If you are coming from Page, AZ, we can pick you up at the Scenic Overlook on Highway 89A: Google Maps. Expect at least a 1hr 15min drive from Page, AZ. If you want us to pick you up here, PLEASE CONTACT US AHEAD OF TIME TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS. We will come by approx. 60-90 mins after the tour departure time (note that this is Utah Time, not Arizona Time). Look for the vehicle marked as Action Photo Tours.
- Weather Conditions: We can still access South Coyote Buttes even in the most inclement of conditions. If the weather is truly ugly, your tour guide may suggest you visit an alternate destination. This decision will be made the day of the outing based on the consensus of the group. Note that we cannot offer refunds due to weather unless we cannot go out at all. Don’t despise bad weather as that is when you can get the most dramatic photos! Just make sure you are prepared for the conditions the day of your tour.
- Hiking / Fitness: For Cottonwood Cove, it’s a sandy 0.6 mile hike to the first brainrock sections. The hike is a little shorter from Paw Hole. Once on the brainrock, we’ll show you many of our favorite photo spots. Some will require more agility than others. You will hike anywhere from 2-5 miles on this outing depending on the mobility of the group and how long we spend at each spot. The hiking is not strenuous, but it is over uneven terrain with some short, steep sections. All participants should ensure their fitness level is adequate for this trip.
- Instructors: Due to scheduling complexities, we often don't know which instructor will accompany your group until a day or two prior. If you want a specific instructor, then please Contact Us to make your request. Although we'll do our best to make it happen, please note that there are no guarantees.
More Trip Details
- Food/Water: We do not provide food on our outings. All participants should bring food/water to hold them through dinner and while hiking. Many folks will eat their dinner during the drive back to Kanab. We will have a cooler where you can store food and drink.
- What to Wear: Check the weather forecast prior to coming on the trip (search for Kanab, UT and Page, AZ on Weather.com). If it’s going to be hot, wear light-colored clothing and a hat. If the temperatures are cold, bring warm layers and long pants. Don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen. Even when it’s warm outside, the temperature can drop quickly after the sun sets so you may wish to bring a light jacket. If it’s very cold and or windy, don’t forget a warm hat and some gloves. If rain, wind, or snow are in the forecast, bring a rain jacket, a warm hat, and gloves. We recommend wearing sturdy closed-toe footwear in due to the uneven terrain and sand.
- Restroom Facilities: There are no facilities at South Coyote. We will stop at a restroom if needed about an hour into the drive. If you need to use the restroom at South Coyote, we will have toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a shovel available. You can dig a hole back behind a bush to do your business.
- Cell Phones: Bring your cell phone along! They are great for capturing candid images. Plus, most folks will have cell service out at South Coyote. Note that cell service is limited during the drive. There are USB ports in our vehicles so bring a charging cable if you need one.
- Group Size: Our groups will never exceed 5 people per instructor. We like to keep our photo tours small so we can give adequate individual attention. For those photographers that feel more independent, we will allow you to wander away from the group and explore on your own within reasonable limits.
- Safety: Our guides are trained in CPR/First-Aid. All 4WD vehicles are equipped with extraction equipment and a first-aid kit. We carry a satellite beacon with us in case of emergencies outside of cell range.
Camera Gear
- Camera Gear: A wide angle zoom lens is most useful at South Coyote (equivalent 16-35 on a full-frame camera or 10-22mm on a crop sensor). There are opportunities for mid-range, telephoto, and macro shots so you can bring any of those lenses if you like - just ensure your pack isn’t too heavy. But do note that the bulk of your photos will come from the wide angle lens. All participants should bring a tripod. For filters, a circular polarizer can come in handy as long as it’s not a clear, blue-sky day. A neutral density filter can be nice to smooth out rough water or create long exposures for fast moving clouds. Don’t forget extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies. Please contact us if you’d like to rent any camera gear for your outing.
- Cancellation/Re-Scheduling: Please see our Terms and Conditions.
Need more information?
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions
