One of our top 10 day hikes in the world.
The Wave
Only 20 hikers / day are allowed access. The BLM is considering an increase to a maximum of 96 per day .
Getting a permit is the BIG problem.
AT A GLANCE
on the Utah-Arizona border, halfway between Page, Arizona and Kanab, Utah in the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
- in 2014 about 50,000 applied for permits. Only 15% were granted.
- Wire Pass trailhead located in North Coyote Buttes permit area of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
- 5.2 miles return
- you can go any month of the year, if you can tolerate the heat
Above and slightly west of the Wave is what many call “the Second Wave“, which has fainter colours but is still of interest to most visitors and photographers.

Check our Wave information page.