The standard starting point for Buckskin Gulch is Wire Pass Trailhead, about 8 miles down an unpaved road from US-89 near the Utah-Arizona border. The access road is fine in dry weather for ordinary cars but can become impassable when wet — the clay-heavy dirt becomes extremely slippery. Check conditions before heading out.
The approach hike from Wire Pass is a short canyon in its own right: a tight, winding slot about a mile long that provides a preview of what Buckskin Gulch offers at far greater scale. Day-hikers who are not attempting the full traverse often turn around at the Buckskin junction after exploring a mile or two of the main canyon. The trailhead has parking and a self-pay permit station; there are no other facilities. The nearest town is Kanab, Utah, about 40 minutes away.