VISIT THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATION
IN THE ENTIRE AREA!
THE WAVE – NORTH COYOTE BUTTES TOURS
The most popular, sought after visual treasure in the entire Vermilion Cliffs-Grand Staircase Monuments. Everybody wants to see The Wave in North Coyote Buttes. And, yes we’d have to say it’s good.
There’s also more to see in the North Coyote Buttes area, and we’ll take you to all the best stops, showing you the best of what the North Buttes has to offer. Our guides will take you to all the best photo destinations for world class photography.
It is at least a 6 mile hike with tall hills, sand, and uneven slick rock to negotiate. You must be in good physical shape to attempt this.
If you’re in an RV or the roads are bad but feel confident to do it yourself, we can provide a shuttle to the trailhead and back for $150 per group, though there are times the road is completely impassable and even we can’t do it.
Everyone remembers their day at The Wave. Our guides will make it even more memorable, sharing local knowledge and guiding you to all the best places to see and photograph in the North Coyote Buttes.
Only 20 people are allowed in the North and South Coyote Buttes per day. If you have not obtained one of the 10 permits previously available online, you can go to the BLM visitor center in Kanab, Utah for the famous North Coyote Buttes Wave Lottery at 9 a.m. There will be a lot of competition for the 10 permits that are issued for the next day.
Hiking The Wave: Trail Basics
Access to The Wave is from the Wire Pass Trailhead located in the North Coyote Buttes permit area of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The moderate 6-mile hike consists primarily of sand and red rock. Part of the trail is cross-country, so you should be prepared for potentially harsh desert conditions, including fierce winds, blowing sand, and little shade.
- Trail Type: Out-and-back
- Length: 6 miles
- Elevation Change: +/- 400 feet
- Dogs Allowed: Yes, for an additional $7/per dog/per day (They must be under your control at all times and you are required to pack out your waste)
- Best Season: Spring and Fall (best weather)
- Time: All day tour, 6 hrs minimum round trip hike
- Permit Required: YES – see Permit Section below
- Water Availability: None. Must carry own water – up to 4 L per person
Advance Online Lottery for The Wave
Coyote Buttes North Lottery Schedule
| Apply between | for a permit during | Lottery run at 9:00 am remaining permits available |
| January 1-31 | May | February 1 |
| February 1-28 | June | March 1 |
| March 1-31 | July | April 1 |
| April 1-30 | August | May 1 |
| May 1-31 | September | June 1 |
| June 1-30 | October | July 1 |
| August 1-31 | November | August 1 |
| September 1-30 | January | October 1 |
| October 1-31 | February | November 1 |
| November 1-30 | March | December 1 |
| December 1-31 | April | January 1 |
IMPORTANT: The North Coyote Buttes requires a special permit from the B.L.M. You must obtain your own permit before reserving with us for this area. SEE THE PERMIT INFORMATION BELOW.
$200 + TAX per person ($220 TOTAL)
To book a guided photography, scenic, adventure, or hiking tour, photography workshop, overnight camp out, or make a reservation, please call or email us directly so that we can discuss your personal itinerary, in order to customize to your emphasis, interests and ability.
Call us at (928) 691-1047
or email outpost@paria.com
IMPORTANT
RESERVATIONS MUST CHECK IN WITH US
24-HOURS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE TOUR.
MEMORY MAKING MOMENTS
TOUR DETAILS
- You can go to the BLM Visitor Center on highway 89 in Kanab, Utah to try for the ten available permits for the next day at ten a.m.
- Driving Times: It is a 30 minute drive from the Outpost to the Wave trailhead.
- At least a six mile hike. For good hikers only.
- Usually 2 hours hiking each way, plan on a little more time to see and photograph other locations in the area.
- When extremely hot must be hiking at sunrise.
- All daytime and sunset tours are at least 8-9 hours.
- We supply lunch, water and cold drinks.
- You must carry water and lunch.
- Campouts and photo workshops are 24 hours.
- Available all year dependent upon weather and especially road conditions.
- PERMIT IS REQUIRED
- Price (same for all tours)
- Departure Times: Though somewhat flexible, departure times vary with the weather and the length of the day through the year. In spring we generally depart at 8 a.m., but when it gets really hot we recommend leaving by at least 7 a.m. or even earlier.
- Meeting Point: All our tours depart from the Paria Outpost, which is located directly on Highway 89 at mile 21 in Utah.
GPS COORDINATES: 37.1075° N, 111.9109° W - We are a thirty minute drive from Page, Arizona and a ten minute drive from Big Water, Utah. We are forty-five minutes from Kanab, Utah, and aa little over two hours from Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. We are located right on the highway and have a big sign out front.
- What to bring: You bring a backpack to carry lunch and water, sunscreen, and your camera.
FAQs
Where do the tours start?
All tours start at the Paria Outpost on Highway 89 and Paria River, thirty minutes from Page, Arizona and forty five minutes from Kanab, Utah.
What should I bring?
Enclosed hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat, backpack. Hiking poles if you use them. Lunch, water, and cold drinks are included.
Do I need a permit?
Only in the Coyote Buttes, nowhere else is a permitted area.
How many in group size?
Group size maximum is 5 clients per guide , with 10 clients and 2 guides max. We reserve the right to fill groups. If guests want “private tour” (a car and guide to themselves) they must pay for 4 seats 175×4=$700 in the car. We also have a 2 person minimum price, so if solo, cost is $350 minimum.
What time do we start?
Starting times are somewhat flexible according to the heat factor as well as your preference. We can discuss this when you write or call to check in twenty-four hours or so before the tour.
Are we located in Big Water?
Our mailing address is in Big Water but our business is located ten minutes or so farther down the highway toward Kanab, Utah, just across the Paria River,
How do I pay?
Though we don’t take money upfront for reservations, we do not accept credit cards. We always accept cash and personal checks are fine, if from America.
In an effort to be as user-friendly as possible we do not take money up front for reservations. We put your name on our calendar and count on you to show up. Weather can be unpredictable and other factors can change your itinerary and we do not want your money, if we cannot do your tour.
PERMITS
Bureau of Land Management – Coyote Buttes Permits
Link to apply for permits
Both the North and South Coyote Buttes are limited to twenty visitors per day.
10 permits are available to try for to enter each area per day online, 4 months ahead of time for the North Coyote Buttes Wave area, and three months ahead of time for the South Coyote Buttes.
10 permits for each area are also available to try for at the BLM Visitor Center on Highway 89 in Kanab, Utah.
The Wave lottery is at 9 a.m. and the South Coyote Buttes lottery opens at 10 a.m.
Permits issued are for the next or coming day. If you are lucky enough to obtain a North Coyote Buttes Wave permit, we can take you on a great, comprehensive tour of the North Coyote Buttes, or we can give you a shuttle to the trailhead if you feel confident to do it yourself.
TESTIMONIALS
EXCELLENT GUIDE!
Our trip to the Wave had been great with Dallas! He was experience and know where to bring us to see the beautiful views. We went to the boneyard, dinosaur tracks and the 2nd Wave! We had enough time to spend at The Wave and Dallas had never rush us at any points! Btw, avocado sandwich made by Susan was delicious! You can’t go wrong with Dallas and Paria Outpost! Highly recommended!
MenglembuMag
NEW YORK
LOOKING FOR MORE ADVENTURE?
HAVE ANOTHER DAY TO SPEND WITH US?
SOAP CREEK
Let us take you through the heart of the VERMILION CLIFFS out to the colorful, extremely photogenic formations of the remote, largely unvisited Soap Creek. A really great tour.
VERMILION CLIFFS
We can show you more of the remote part of the VERMILION CLIFFS, such as a hike through Pinnacle Valley, out to Middle Reservoir, the “Cowboy Hat” formation, Double Barrel Arch or see Petroglyph panels and ruins as well.
WHITE POCKET
Take another day to visit the increasingly famous WHITE POCKET, an other-worldly formation of brain rocks and colors. World Class and World-Famous photography. Easy hiking. images.
SIDESTEP CANYON
If you’re a good hiker hike the three miles or so to see largely unvisited SIDESTEP CANYON, a giant green-colored valley full of literally hundreds of balanced rocks, from 3 feet tall to 150 feet tall. Great for viewing a spectacular example of unique geology and excellent photographic opportunities.
YELLOW ROCK
Again, if you are a good hiker, make the short but somewhat steep climb up to YELLOW ROCK, for lovely, stunning colors and great views of the Cockscomb area.mages.
NORTH COYOTE BUTTES & SOUTH COYOTE BUTTES
The famous NORTH COYOTE BUTTES or SOUTH COYOTE BUTTES. IF you can be in Kanab, Utah at 9 a.m., try the North Coyote Buttes Wave Lottery at the Kanab BLM visitor Center on Highway 89, or be there at 10 a.m. to try for a permit to the South Coyote Buttes, which, though less known, is easily as good or perhaps even better than the famous “Wave” that everyone wants. It’s easier to get this permit as well. However, only ten permits are available for each area per day at the Visitor Center. Permits are issued for the next day.
GRAND STAIRCASE
If you don’t want to hike much we can take you on a mostly DRIVING TOUR OF THE GRAND STAIRCASE, the COTTONWOOD CANYON ROAD and the SMOKEY MOUNTAIN ROAD are unbelievably eye-catching and photogenic, with lots of short stops and short hikes.mages.
FREE CAMPING AND RV PARKING FOR OUR CLIENTS AT PARIA OUTPOST.
GREAT PORCH & RESTROOMS.