Coyote Buttes and The Wave

Coyote Buttes is a permit-controlled area within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, west of Page on the Utah-Arizona border. It includes two separate permit areas: Coyote Buttes North, home to the formation known as The Wave, and Coyote Buttes South, a more remote landscape of colorful sandstone terraces, fins, and teepees.

Both areas require advance planning. A Coyote Buttes North permit does not cover Coyote Buttes South, and vice versa. Access roads can become dangerous when wet, summer heat can make the hike hazardous, and there are no developed trails, water sources, or dependable services inside the permit areas.

Coyote Buttes North and South

Area	Best known for	Access character	Primary challenge
Coyote Buttes North	The Wave and nearby sandstone formations	Wire Pass Trailhead reached by House Rock Valley Road	Limited permits, route finding, heat, and changing road conditions
Coyote Buttes South	Remote sandstone terraces and teepee formations	Cottonwood Cove or Paw Hole access points	Rough roads, deep sand, longer navigation, and limited services

Page is one of the main eastern bases for visiting Coyote Buttes. Kanab, Utah, is the other common gateway. Lodging, fuel, food, permit pickup, and guide services are more readily available in those towns than near the trailheads. Compare Page lodging through where to stay in Page.

Permits for Coyote Buttes

A permit is required for both Coyote Buttes North and Coyote Buttes South. Permits are issued through Recreation.gov under Bureau of Land Management rules. They are not transferable, group-size limits apply, and all members of the permit group must remain together.

Coyote Buttes North Permit Lottery

Coyote Buttes North permits are distributed through an advanced lottery and a mobile daily lottery. The advanced lottery generally opens about four months before the hiking month. The daily lottery uses a geographic boundary around the Page and Kanab areas, so applicants must be physically located within the approved geofence when applying.

The daily process typically begins two days before the intended hike date. Winners must follow the current instructions for accepting the permit, attending a briefing, and picking it up in Page or Kanab. Do not assume that winning the daily lottery means you can go directly to the trailhead without the required pickup or orientation step.

As of 2026, visitation is commonly described as being limited to about 64 people per day, divided between the advanced and daily systems. Verify the current allocation and deadlines before applying because permit procedures can change.

Coyote Buttes South Permits

Coyote Buttes South uses its own permit system and is not covered by a North Coyote Buttes or Wave permit. South permits have historically been offered through an advance calendar about three months ahead and a smaller daily geofence lottery. Availability is more limited than many travelers expect, and popular dates can disappear quickly.

Follow the permit instructions for the exact area and access point you plan to use. Carry the permit in the format required by current BLM guidance, and make sure every member of the group understands where the permit allows you to go.

Hiking Coyote Buttes North

The standard hike to The Wave begins at Wire Pass Trailhead and crosses into Arizona. The route is approximately 6.4 miles round trip with roughly 1,000–1,300 feet of elevation change. It is not a maintained trail. Hikers navigate by map, natural landmarks, and in some cases GPS.

The Wave Route from Wire Pass

Most hikers follow the BLM route toward a notch, around the Twin Buttes, and across open slickrock to The Wave. Footprints may help in sandy sections, but they should not be treated as a substitute for map reading. The sandstone, wash, and open-rock terrain can look similar on the return route, and getting disoriented is common enough that hikers should take navigation seriously.

Carry more water than you expect to use, food, sun protection, a printed BLM map or route description, a compass or GPS backup, and clothing appropriate for the season. Check the trailhead register and sign out when finished. There is no dependable water source along the route.

Beyond the Main Wave Area

Permit holders with enough time, navigation confidence, and suitable weather can explore nearby features beyond the central formation. Those extensions require more cross-country travel and can make the route significantly longer. Do not continue beyond the main destination if wind, heat, approaching storms, or fading light will make the return more difficult.

The permit area is day use only. Overnight camping is prohibited in Coyote Buttes North. Nearby camping is available outside the permit area, but it should be planned separately through current BLM and campground information.

Hiking Coyote Buttes South

Coyote Buttes South receives fewer visitors than The Wave, but it is not necessarily easier. The area is remote, routes are largely unmarked, and access can involve deep sand, rough roads, and long periods away from help. Navigation and vehicle preparation matter as much as hiking fitness.

Cottonwood Cove is a common South access point and provides access to many of the area’s colorful formations. It generally requires a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle and experience driving in sand. Paw Hole can provide another access approach, but it may involve a long sandy hike depending on current road conditions and where vehicles can responsibly stop.

Do not attempt South Coyote Buttes with a low-clearance rental car, an unfamiliar two-wheel-drive vehicle, or a route that depends on roads being dry. Guided trips can reduce some navigation and driving risk, but a guide does not replace the need for a permit.

Review current road conditions and guided alternatives through guided adventures. If your plans include nearby slot canyons, compare separate permits and access rules through slot canyon tours.

Trailheads, Roads, and Page Access

Coyote Buttes is reached from US 89 by way of House Rock Valley Road. From Page, the drive to the Wire Pass area is roughly 35–40 miles, but the final unpaved section can be slow. Actual travel time depends on road conditions, weather, vehicle clearance, and other traffic.

House Rock Valley Road is often manageable for carefully driven passenger vehicles when it is dry, but conditions can change quickly. Wet clay can make the road impassable even for four-wheel-drive vehicles. Do not attempt the road after rain or snow, and check current conditions before leaving Page or Kanab.

Fuel up before leaving town. There are no reliable services along the road, and cell coverage may be weak or unavailable. Carry a paper map or downloaded route, tell someone your plans, and allow enough time to return before dark. A satellite communicator is useful for remote-road and off-trail travel.

Page and Kanab follow different time-zone rules for much of the year. Confirm lottery, pickup, briefing, and meeting times in the local time used by the permit instructions.

Season, Safety, and Wilderness Rules

Late fall through spring is generally the most forgiving period for hiking Coyote Buttes. Summer temperatures can make an otherwise moderate route dangerous, and monsoon storms can produce lightning and flash-flood risk. Winter can bring ice, snow, mud, and very cold conditions, especially on sandstone and unpaved roads.

Check Page weather and current BLM road information before the trip. Wind, heat, wet roads, and ice can each force a cancellation even when a permit has already been issued.

Key wilderness rules include:

Keep the permit with the group and make it visible as instructed.
Stay together as one permit group.
Register at the trailhead when required.
Do not use drones or other motorized or mechanized equipment.
Do not build campfires or burn trash.
Pack out all trash, including toilet paper and pet waste.
Stay on durable surfaces and avoid damaging sandstone or vegetation.
Do not remove or disturb natural or cultural objects.

Dogs may be allowed in Coyote Buttes North under current rules, but they must be included on the permit, kept under control, and given enough water and paw protection for hot sandstone. Confirm the current dog policy for the specific permit area before bringing an animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coyote Buttes the same as The Wave?

No. The Wave is one formation inside Coyote Buttes North. Coyote Buttes South is a separate permit area with different access and formations.

Do you need a permit for Coyote Buttes?

Yes. A permit is required for both Coyote Buttes North and Coyote Buttes South. The two areas use separate permits.

Can you visit Coyote Buttes from Page in one day?

Yes, if you have a permit, suitable road conditions, reliable transportation, and enough daylight. Page is one of the closest bases for both permit pickup and trailhead access.

How difficult is the hike to The Wave?

The distance and elevation change are moderate under mild conditions, but the route is unmarked and can become demanding in heat, cold, wind, or poor visibility. Navigation and weather are as important as mileage.

Do you need four-wheel drive for Coyote Buttes?

North Coyote Buttes may be reachable in a carefully driven passenger vehicle when House Rock Valley Road is dry. South Coyote Buttes, especially Cottonwood Cove, commonly requires a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle and sand-driving experience.

Can a guide get you a Coyote Buttes permit?

Guides may help with logistics or conditional trip planning, but a commercial guide does not remove the permit requirement. Confirm who is responsible for obtaining the correct permit before booking.

Are dogs allowed at Coyote Buttes?

Dogs have been allowed in Coyote Buttes North under current rules, but they must be included on the permit and kept under control. Verify the current policy and consider heat, water, sandstone exposure, and waste removal before bringing a dog.

What can you do if you do not win a permit?

Consider White Pocket, Wire Pass, Buckskin Gulch, Toadstool Hoodoos, or another permitted route. These places have different access requirements and do not replace Coyote Buttes, but they can fill a Page-area itinerary. See activity-focused day trips from Page.

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