Coyote Buttes North — The Wave Permit Road
Lottery-gated slickrock in the Vermilion Cliffs.
Most people know The Wave from photographs that look like digital art. Getting there is a different story. You’ll leave US-89 south of Kanab and follow House Rock Valley Road — a washboard and clay nightmare when wet — south into the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The Wire Pass Trailhead sits at the end of the drivable route, and from there it’s a 3-mile hike across open slickrock to the Navajo sandstone formations that drain color and logic out of your eyes. The road itself crosses open desert bench, and a single rainstorm turns the clay surface into a vehicle-swallowing trap. Know your weather window.
This is a high-clearance route — most stock SUVs make it dry, but a lifted rig with aired-down tires handles the washboard without punishing your spine. The hard stop here is the Bureau of Land Management lottery permit system: walk-up permits available at the Kanab BLM office at 9am, online lottery for advance slots. No permit, no entry — they enforce it. Best season is March through May and September through November. No water on route, no cell service, and no dispersed camping at the trailhead lot. Carry everything in.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4900 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD or better |
| Nearest town | Kanab, UT |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management — Kanab Field Office |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | blm.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle the road to the Wave trailhead?
Yes — high-clearance 2WD is the minimum, and a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handles it fine in dry conditions. The road has soft sand and washboard sections that can catch low-clearance vehicles, but nothing requiring lockers or aggressive tires if you're not pushing it.
What months should I avoid driving this road?
Summer (June–August) is brutal — temps regularly hit 100°F+ and the desert offers zero shade. Winter can bring ice and impassable mud to the dirt road after rain or snow. Stick to March–May or September–November.
How does the Wave permit system actually work?
There are two ways in: an online lottery at recreation.gov (apply 4 months ahead, $9 application fee) and a daily in-person lottery at the Kanab BLM office ($9 per application). Only 64 people per day are allowed in total — 48 from the online lottery, 16 from the walk-in. Without a permit, you're turned around.
What's the hardest part of the hike once you park at the Wire Pass trailhead?
The hike itself is about 6 miles round trip with no marked trail — you navigate by map and BLM-issued photo guide across open slickrock and sand. The hardest part isn't technical, it's route-finding in featureless terrain. People get lost here every season; take the permit map seriously.
Is there any water or cell service out there, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Zero cell service and no water on the route — carry at least a gallon per person. The trailhead is roughly 45 miles from Kanab, UT, which is your last stop for gas, food, and any gear you forgot.
Trail track
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