Vermilion Cliffs

A region of dramatic red and orange Navajo sandstone cliffs and eroded plateaus on the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona, designated as Vermilion Cliffs National Monument by presidential proclamation on November 9, 2000. The monument covers roughly 293,000 acres and protects extensive sandstone scenery and desert ecosystems.

The sculpted cross‑bedded sandstone of Coyote Buttes (home to the formation known as The Wave), the remote and photogenic area called White Pocket, and the Paria Plateau and canyon country with slot canyons and river corridors. The Wave requires a daily permit with a strict quota of 20 visitors per day; other locations are remote and frequently require high clearance vehicles and navigation skills.

The monument was established to protect scenic, scientific and cultural values and contains archaeological sites and evidence of long human use prior to European arrival. Land use in the area has also included historic grazing and limited mineral exploration prior to federal protection.

Vermilion Cliffs sit in northern Arizona along the Utah border on the Colorado Plateau, north of the Grand Canyon region and southwest of the Colorado River corridor. The area is remote from major cities; the nearest small towns that serve as common jumping off points include Page, Arizona and Kanab, Utah.

• Permits: Permits are strictly required for the most famous formations - Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) is limited to 20 visitors per day to protect fragile sandstone features.
• Access: Access in many parts of the monument is via unpaved roads that often need a high clearance 4x4 and can be impassable after rain, so plan logistics and timing carefully.

What to See#

• Coyote Buttes North (The Wave): The Wave is located in Coyote Buttes North and is accessed via a daily permit system that limits entry to 20 people per day, split between an online lottery and a walk‑in lottery.
• White Pocket: A separate area of swirling sandstone and colorful banding known as White Pocket sits in the monument’s more remote southern sector and is reachable via unpaved roads that generally require a high clearance 4x4 vehicle.
• Paria Plateau and Paria Canyon: Paria Plateau and Paria Canyon include slot canyons and riparian corridors that connect sections of the monument to the Paria River system; many routes are remote and can require long drives on graded dirt roads and backcountry hiking skills.

The monument sits north of U.S. Highway 89A between Page and Kanab; many access points are via unsealed roads and require high-clearance vehicles. The BLM’s Vermilion Cliffs page lists trailheads, permit rules (for The Wave and other areas) and route recommendations.

• If hoping to see The Wave or Coyote Buttes, secure permits well in advance - The Wave lottery is online and the walk is long and unmarked.
• Plan for extremes: bring plenty of water, a topographic map or GPS, and permit paperwork if visiting restricted areas.