Rock Formation · Arizona
The Wave (Coyote Buttes North)
The undulating sandstone bowl made famous worldwide
TypeRock Formation
StateArizona
Best seasonSpring & fall (no shade or water — never summer midday)
How to visitPermit by lottery only (very limited daily); Vermilion Cliffs
A rippling, candy-striped bowl of Navajo sandstone in the Vermilion Cliffs — one of the most coveted hikes on earth, protected by a strict daily permit lottery. Get the permit and you walk into a desktop wallpaper made real.
The shot
The striped sandstone trough.
Nearby & worth pairing
- Vermilion Cliffs
- White Pocket nearby
- Buckskin Gulch
- Kanab
Plan around it
Access, fees, permits, and tour availability change with the season and the managing agency (tribal park, state park, BLM, or NPS) — confirm current rules and reservations before you go, tread lightly on sacred and fragile sites, and pack out everything you bring.
Build a trip around landmarks like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: