Coyote ButtesAbout Coyote Buttes
Coyote Buttes is a compact, highly eroded sandstone area on the Arizona-Utah border within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs region, noted for spectacular cross-bedded, banded sandstone formations. It is world-famous for the formation known as The Wave in Coyote Buttes North.
The area contains both Coyote Buttes North and South, each with distinctive geological features, colorful striated rock, and narrow slot-like gullies and ridges formed by wind and water erosion. Hiking in the area involves unmarked routes and fragile surfaces that are easily impacted by foot traffic.
The region is managed to limit visitor numbers and protect the fragile sandstone; access requires a permit issued by the Bureau of Land Management with a strict daily quota for Coyote Buttes North. Visitors should be prepared for remote desert conditions, navigation without formal trails and limited shade or water.
Situated in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs landscape, the buttes sit on the Arizona-Utah border and are accessed from trailheads off local roads near the small towns on the edge of the Vermilion Cliffs area.
- Permit quota: Permits are required year-round for visits; Coyote Buttes North (home to The Wave) is limited to 20 advance online permits and 10 walk-in permits each day to reduce erosion and crowding.
- Management and conditions: Located within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs area and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, offering fragile sandstone features and narrow access routes that require navigation skills and desert preparedness.
What to See#
- Coyote Buttes North: Coyote Buttes North - famous for the sandstone formation known as The Wave, a narrow, undulating sandstone ridge with vibrant cross-bedded banding; access is by daily permit only and entry is strictly limited.
- Coyote Buttes South: Coyote Buttes South - larger area with a wide range of eroded sandstone formations, bowls and striped badlands accessible by permit, with different visitor patterns and fewer restrictions than the North in some seasons.
Best Time to Visit Coyote Buttes
Spring and autumn offer the best balance of temperature and daylight; summer can be dangerously hot and winter very quiet and cold.
Weather & Climate near Coyote Buttes
Coyote Buttes's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -7° - 6° | -4° | 31 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -5° - 9° | -1° | 29 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -2° - 12° | 2° | 35 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 1° - 17° | 7° | 19 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 23° | 14° | 15 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 10° - 29° | 19° | 10 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 14° - 32° | 23° | 30 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 13° - 30° | 21° | 40 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 9° - 26° | 17° | 27 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 3° - 19° | 11° | 27 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -3° - 11° | 2° | 26 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -7° - 6° | -3° | 23 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Coyote Buttes
Trailheads depend on sector and permit: Coyote Buttes North (Wave) is typically accessed from the Wire Pass/White House trailhead near Kanab, Utah/House Rock Valley Road; permits and details are managed by the BLM Kanab Field Office. Check the official BLM Vermilion Cliffs page for current permit procedures and trailhead locations.
Tips for Visiting Coyote Buttes
- If aiming for The Wave (Coyote Buttes North), enter the online lottery at least three months ahead-the online lottery allocates most permits.
- Start pre-dawn from Lees Ferry or the Wire Pass trailhead depending on permit sector; midday sun and heat are the real obstacles, not technical difficulty.
- Bring GPS and paper map; trail is faint and landmarks are crucial-cell reception is unreliable.