USA — Kanab
Hike to The Wave, a moderate 9.6 km desert walk in USA's Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. This 3-4 hour route leads to a mesmerising, multi-coloured sandstone formation, a testament to ancient wind and water. The pristine wilderness offers a unique, isolated landscape with a challenging yet rewarding path.
Distance: 9.6 km
Elevation Gain: 152 m
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 3-4 hours
The Wave is perhaps the most coveted hiking destination in the United States, if not the world. Located within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness on the border of Arizona and Utah, this mesmerising sandstone formation is a testament to the patient power of wind and water. The hike to The Wave is a 9.6-kilometre round trip through a trackless desert landscape, leading to a multi-coloured swirl of Jurassic-age Navajo Sandstone that defies photographic capture. Because of its extreme fragility and the desire to preserve the wilderness experience, access is strictly limited by a highly competitive lottery system managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Walking through The Wave is less like a traditional hike and more like stepping into a surrealist painting, where the ground beneath your feet undulates in frozen waves of ochre, crimson, and gold.
The Wave is a spectacular trough carved into the Navajo Sandstone during the Jurassic period, approximately 190 million years ago. What makes this location globally famous is the intersection of two major troughs, creating a "wave" effect where the rock appears to flow in rhythmic, undulating patterns. The vibrant colours—ranging from deep purples and reds to bright oranges and yellows—are the result of iron oxide and manganese deposits that have leached through the porous sandstone over eons. The result is a landscape that feels entirely alien, a fragile sanctuary of stone that has been protected from the ravages of mass tourism by one of the strictest permitting systems in the world.
The journey begins at the Wire Pass Trailhead, located off the unpaved House Rock Valley Road. From here, hikers must navigate across open desert, over sandy washes, and across vast expanses of "slickrock" (smooth sandstone). There is no maintained trail; instead, the BLM provides permit holders with a photographic guidebook featuring key landmarks to ensure they find their way without the need for intrusive trail markers or cairns. This lack of formal infrastructure preserves the "wild" feel of the Coyote Buttes North area, but it also demands a higher level of self-reliance and navigational skill from those lucky enough to secure a permit.
While The Wave itself is the primary drawcard, the surrounding area of Coyote Buttes North contains a wealth of other geological wonders, including the Second Wave, the Alcove, and Top Rock. The experience is defined by silence, scale, and the incredible tactile nature of the rock. Every step reveals a new angle of the cross-bedded sandstone, where thin layers of sediment, once ancient sand dunes, have been compressed and tilted into the swirling patterns seen today. It is a place that requires slow movement and deep appreciation, as the "fins" of the sandstone are incredibly thin and can be easily snapped by a misplaced footstep.
The geological history of The Wave began nearly 200 million years ago when this region was part of a vast desert, larger than the modern Sahara. The towering sand dunes of the Jurassic period were eventually buried and compressed into Navajo Sandstone. Over millions of years, the uplift of the Colorado Plateau and subsequent erosion by wind and seasonal rain carved the troughs we see today. The specific "wave" shape was formed by the drainage of water through the troughs, followed by wind erosion that polished the surfaces into their current smooth, flowing state.
Culturally, the land surrounding the Vermilion Cliffs has been home to Indigenous peoples for millennia. The Ancestral Puebloans (Anasazi) and later the Southern Paiute and Navajo (Diné) inhabited and travelled through these canyons. While The Wave itself does not feature the prominent petroglyphs found in nearby Buckskin Gulch, the entire Paria Plateau is a landscape of profound spiritual and historical significance. To the Navajo, these colourful formations are part of a living landscape, tied to the stories of the earth's creation and the movement of the sun and wind.
In the modern era, The Wave remained a relatively obscure local secret until the late 20th century. Its popularity exploded in the 1990s after it was featured in European travel documentaries and high-end photography books. Recognising that the fragile sandstone could not withstand thousands of visitors, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) implemented a permit system to limit impact. Today, it is managed as part of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, ensuring that the "discovery" of The Wave remains a quiet, personal experience for the few who are granted entry each day.
Want more background? Read extended notes on history and cultural context → Learn more
The Wave is located in a high-desert environment where weather conditions can be extreme and life-threatening. Choosing the right time of year is critical for both safety and the quality of the photographic light.
Spring (March to May): This is widely considered the best time to visit. Temperatures are mild, typically ranging from 15°C to 25°C, making the 9.6-km trek comfortable. Wildflowers may bloom in the sandy washes, providing a rare splash of green and purple against the red rocks. However, this is also the most popular time for permit applications, and winds can be quite strong, occasionally creating sandstorm conditions.
Autumn (September to October): Similar to spring, autumn offers stable weather and pleasant temperatures. The light is particularly beautiful during these months as the sun sits lower in the sky, casting longer shadows that accentuate the textures of the sandstone. The "monsoon" season usually ends by mid-September, reducing the risk of flash floods that can make the access road impassable.
Summer (June to August): Summer is the most dangerous time to hike to The Wave. Temperatures frequently exceed 40°C, and there is virtually no shade on the entire route. The sandstone reflects heat, making the ground temperature even higher. Flash floods are a significant risk during the July and August monsoon season; even a distant storm can send a wall of water through the washes. If you hike in summer, an 5:00 AM start is mandatory to be off the trail by midday.
Winter (November to February): Winter brings a different kind of beauty, occasionally dusting the red rocks with white snow. Temperatures can drop well below freezing, and ice can make the slickrock sections treacherous. However, the low sun provides excellent light for photography all day long. The main challenge in winter is the House Rock Valley Road, which becomes a quagmire of impassable clay mud after snowmelt or rain.
Phase 1: Wire Pass Trailhead to the Twin Buttes
Phase 2: The Slickrock Traverse to the Sand Dune
Phase 3: Entering The Wave
Phase 4: Beyond The Wave (Optional Exploration)
Important Notes:
Planning for The Wave begins months in advance. Because the permit system is so restrictive, you must first secure your permit before making any other travel arrangements. The closest towns are Kanab, Utah (77 km west) and Page, Arizona (72 km east). Both serve as excellent bases with plenty of accommodation, supermarkets, and outdoor stores. If you are travelling from further afield, Las Vegas is the nearest major international airport, approximately a 4.5-hour drive away.
Fitness requirements are moderate, but the environment is harsh. You should be comfortable walking 10 kilometres over uneven terrain, including soft sand and steep sandstone slopes. Navigational competence is essential; while the BLM provides a map, being able to use a compass or a GPS app (like Gaia GPS or AllTrails) is a critical safety requirement. Ensure your vehicle is suitable for House Rock Valley Road; while often passable for sedans in dry weather, a high-clearance 4WD is strongly recommended, especially if there has been recent rain.
Coyote Buttes North is a day-use area only. No overnight camping is permitted within the permit zone, and there are no facilities, shelters, or huts on the trail.
Nearby Options:
The permit system for The Wave is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) via recreation.gov. There are two ways to obtain a permit: the Advanced Lottery and the Daily Lottery. Both are extremely competitive, with thousands of applicants vying for just 64 daily spots.
1. Advanced Lottery (Online):
2. Daily Lottery (Mobile App):
Permit Costs:
Detailed route notes, maps, logistics & tips for the The Wave Hike Coyote Buttes (PDF).
Precisely traced GPX for the The Wave Hike Coyote Buttes, ready for your GPS or favourite mapping app.
If you are unsuccessful in the lottery or have extra time in the region, the Paria Plateau offers world-class alternatives:
Heat and Hydration: The primary danger at The Wave is heat exhaustion. There is no shade and no water. Hikers have died here from dehydration and heatstroke. You must carry at least 4 litres of water and start your hike as early as possible. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or stop sweating, find what little shade you can (usually against a north-facing cliff) and rest immediately.
Navigation: It is very easy to become disoriented on the slickrock, as there are no trails or footprints to follow. The return journey looks completely different from the approach. Always carry a GPS with extra batteries and the BLM photo map. Do not rely solely on your phone, as batteries drain quickly in the heat and GPS signal can occasionally bounce off canyon walls.
Flash Floods: While The Wave itself is high enough to be safe from floods, the access road (House Rock Valley Road) and the initial wash are not. Check the weather forecast for the entire drainage area, not just the trailhead. If rain is forecast, do not attempt the drive or the hike. The clay on the road becomes as slippery as ice when wet, and even 4WD vehicles can become hopelessly stuck.
Wildlife: Rattlesnakes are present in the area, particularly in the sandy washes and near the Twin Buttes. Watch where you place your hands and feet. Scorpions and black widow spiders may also be found under rocks. While rare, mountain lions do inhabit the wilderness area.
Emergency Services: Cell phone service is non-existent for most of the hike. If you have an emergency, you may need to send someone for help or use a satellite messenger (like a Garmin inReach). Search and rescue operations in this remote area are expensive and can take many hours to initiate.
The Second Wave: Located about 5 minutes south of the main Wave. This formation is flatter and features incredible "cauliflower" textures and deep purple and orange banding. It is best photographed in the late afternoon when the sun hits the rock at a low angle, making the colours "pop."
The Alcove: A massive, wind-carved semi-cave located high on the cliffs above The Wave. It contains a large sand dune and offers a cool, shaded place to rest. The climb up is steep but provides a unique perspective on the surrounding desert.
Melody Arch and the Grotto: Located on the top of the plateau (Top Rock). This requires a steep scramble up a slickrock bypass. The arch is a delicate window of stone, and the nearby grotto features a small "hanging garden" of vegetation if there has been recent rain. The view from Top Rock is the best in the entire Coyote Buttes North area.
The Big Mac: A large, rounded rock formation that looks remarkably like a giant hamburger. It is located on the slickrock traverse between the Twin Buttes and The Wave and serves as an excellent navigational landmark.
Dinosaur Tracks: There are several sets of fossilised dinosaur tracks in the area, dating back to the Early Jurassic. They are difficult to find and are not marked to protect them from vandalism. If you find them, do not touch or pour water on them, as this accelerates erosion.
The Wave is one of the most fragile environments on Earth. The thin "fins" of sandstone are only a few millimetres thick and can be broken by the weight of a single person. Once broken, they can never be repaired. Your goal should be to leave the area exactly as you found it.
Leave No Trace Principles for The Wave:
