Coyote Buttes North — The Wave Approach Road via Wire Pass Trailhead
Sandy wash road into lottery-permit canyon country.
The dirt road off House Rock Valley Road that drops toward Wire Pass Trailhead is deceptively mellow — until it isn’t. You’re threading through Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness on a sandy two-track that crosses the wash multiple times before depositing you at one of the most permit-restricted pieces of ground in the country. The Coyote Buttes North unit, home to The Wave, sits at the end of this approach. Even if you didn’t win the lottery permit, the drive itself through the slickrock benches and Navajo sandstone formations on either side of Wire Pass is worth every mile. The wash crossings are genuine — soft sand that will swallow an unprepared rig whole if you don’t air down and carry momentum.
This is not a trail for two-wheel drive or low-profile vehicles under any conditions. The wash crossings shift after every rain event, and the BLM closes the road without notice when the clay surface turns greasy. Best season is March through May and September through November — summer heat is brutal and winter freezes the clay into a rutted mess. No fuel or water at the trailhead; top off in Kanab or Page. The lottery permit for The Wave is required to hike beyond the trailhead, but the drive itself is open to anyone. A limited number of walk-up permits are also available daily at the Kanab BLM office.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 8 mi / 12.9 km |
| Duration | Half day to full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4900 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD, aired-down tires |
| Nearest town | Kanab, Utah |
| Land manager | BLM Kanab Field Office |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | BLM Coyote Buttes North permit info The Wave lottery permit — Recreation.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 Wire Pass approach road?
Yes, but air down to 20–25 PSI — the road runs through deep sandy washes that will bog a street-pressure tire fast. Stock high-clearance 4WD rigs do fine; lifted isn't required, but locking the center diff or engaging 4Lo in soft sections saves headaches.
When is this road impassable or closed?
Summer monsoon season (July–August) can flash-flood the wash crossings with zero warning — the BLM will close access and people have died ignoring it. Spring and fall are the window; winter is generally drivable but freezing temps and occasional snow make the sandy sections firmer and trickier to read.
Do you need a permit just to drive the approach road, or only to hike The Wave?
The permit (lottery-only, $9 to enter, $7/person if you win) covers entry into Coyote Buttes North and The Wave itself — not the road. You can drive Wire Pass Trailhead road and hike Wire Pass slot canyon without a Wave permit, but you cannot legally continue into the Wave formation area without one. Get your lottery entry in at Recreation.gov well ahead of your trip.
What's the hardest part of the drive and what can go wrong?
The deepest sandy wash sections mid-route are where most people get stuck — particularly after wind events redistribute loose sand. The consequences are low (no major ledges or exposure), but you can be miles from help with no cell service, so a recovery kit and a partner vehicle are smart calls, not optional extras.
Is there any water or camping along the approach road?
Dispersed camping is allowed in the area but there is zero potable water on the route — pack in everything you'll drink, cook with, and wash with. The nearest reliable resupply is Kanab, Utah, roughly 40 miles out, so top off fuel and water before you leave town.
Trail track
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