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Coyote Buttes North

📍 The Wave, Coyote Buttes North, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, USA
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4.6/ 5.0
★★★★★

Introduction

The Wave, in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument on the Arizona–Utah border, is wind-eroded sandstone shaped into wavelike red rock layers, called 'Earth's most photogenic rock'. Its surface looks kneaded into flowing lines, graded orange, ochre and white under raking light — utterly surreal. To protect the fragile site, the BLM issues very few daily permits (online lottery + next-day walk-in), with win rates often under 5%, making 'seeing the Wave' a lottery of luck. The hike has no clear trail; sand and slickrock intertwine, needing GPS and often a guide, and the return is easy to lose amid similar terrain.

✨ Highlights

1
Wavy Red Rock
Flowing lines from eons of erosion.
2
Tiny Odds
Daily cap; lottery like winning.
3
Surreal Light
Raking sun, orange-white gradients.
4
Trail-less
GPS and guide essential.
5
Geo Epic
A Navajo Sandstone masterpiece.
6
Photo Holy Grail
Coveted by landscape shooters.

🛈 Practical Info

→Best season：Mar–May, Oct–Nov
→Duration：Half a day+
→Getting there：From Kanab
→Permit：BLM lottery
→Gear：GPS/guide
→Note：No water, no signal

💡 Tips

• Apply online at least 4 months ahead.
• Next-day walk-in: queue at dawn.
• Offline maps and GPS are essential.
• Midday rock is hot and glary.
• Pack out all trash; protect micro-eco.
• Add White Pocket as an alternative.

FAQ

Any practical tips for visiting Coyote Buttes North?

Apply online at least 4 months ahead. Next-day walk-in: queue at dawn.

Information on this page is compiled from public sources. Opening hours, ticket prices and other details may change — please verify with official sources before your visit.

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