Vermillion Cliffs Hiking Day Trips
Learn about and book tours for The Wave, White Pocket and Coyote Buttes Hikes
The Wave Hike
Guided tour
(permit required)
Experience for yourself one of the most world-renowned geologic formations near Utah and Southwestern U.S. With its sweeping rock landscape and vibrant colors, The Wave hiking tour is truly a bucket list item.
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This 6 mile round trip guided hiking day tour will take you to visually stunning hidden gems just off the main trail. Experience one of the best hiking tour adventures in Kanab. The Wave is located in the north Coyote Butts area of the Utah/Arizona border.
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*A permit is required to hike the Wave. You must obtain a permit before contacting us.
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Click here to put in for a permit.
Duration: 6-8 hours
Tour type: Guided
Group Sizes: 6
Ages: All
Permit required: Yes
What to bring: Hiking shoes, pants, at least 2 liters of water, and snacks
Difficulty: Moderate
See pricing details and availability by clicking above
Buckskin gulch
Guided tour
Immerse yourself in the world’s longest slot canyon—Buckskin Gulch. This full-day hike takes you deep into the Vermilion Cliffs, winding through narrow sandstone corridors with towering walls above. Our knowledgeable local guides are there to ensure a safe and smooth experience as you explore this stunning landscape. Whether you're drawn by the canyon’s rock formations or simply looking for a unique adventure, Buckskin Gulch offers an experience like no other.
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We’ve taken care of all the logistics—permits, transportation, and gear—so you can focus entirely on the journey ahead. The hike, while moderately challenging, is accessible to most hikers and rewards you with jaw-dropping scenery at every turn. From the towering canyon walls to the ever-changing colors of the rock, it’s an adventure that’s well worth the effort and a perfect way to experience the remote beauty of the Southwest.
Duration: 6-8 hours
Tour type: Guided
Group Sizes: 10
Ages: All
Permit required: None
What to bring: good shoes, at least 2 liters of water, and snacks
Difficulty: Moderate
See pricing details and availability by clicking above
White Pocket TOur
Hiking adventure
Many people try for The Wave hiking lottery and never draw out. Which is why we call this hiking tour the "Better than the Wave" Hiking tour.
Located in the same area, White Pocket boasts the same Alien desert landscape with geological formations that are other worldly. And the best part?
THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE A PERMIT.
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Come see the vast color striations, twists, and formations - Rivaling the Wave in size, variety, and complexity making this one of the most photogenic stops in the Southwest.
Duration: 6-8 hours
Tour type: Guided
Group Sizes: 6
Ages: All
Permit required: No
What to bring: Hiking shoes, any snacks/drinks you want. Cooler with waters provided in vehicle.
Difficulty: Easy
See pricing details and availability by clicking above
Coyote Buttes (South)
Hiking adventure
(Permit required)
Yet another incredible alternative to The Wave for those in search of a similar landscape with breathtaking views and unique formations.
Located nearby, South Coyote Buttes is a complete hidden gem with unique formations including one called "The South Wave" which rivals it's sister "The Wave" up in North Coyote Buttes. Dogs are allowed on this trail and obtaining a permit is much easier than The Wave lottery system.
Go to recreation.gov and request a permit for South Coyote Buttes 3 months in advance if you have the time for the best chance at locking in your permits.
Don't waste any time applying for a permit for this incredible trip of a lifetime and if you need help just let us know and we'll be happy to point you further in the right direction.
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Duration: 6-8 hours
Tour type: Guided
Group Sizes: 6
Ages: All
Permit required: Yes
What to bring: Hiking shoes, any snacks/drinks you want. Cooler with waters provided in vehicle.
Difficulty: Easy
See pricing details and availability by clicking above
ABOUT
THE WAVE
The Wave is located in the north Coyote Butts area of the Utah/Arizona border. The Wave is a famous geological formation made of beautiful Navajo sandstone rock. The formation dates back to the Jurassic period. The wave began as a cluster of u-shaped troughs that were sand dunes. Over the course of 200 million years these dunes compacted and solidified, resulting in sandstone. The troughs were carved into Navajo sandstone by irregular floods and streams in which runoff-deposited minerals such as manganese, iron oxide, or calcium concurrently eroded rock giving them a soft, rounded appearance.
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The spectacular rock formations to experience include The Alcove, Sand Cove, The Second Wave, Melody Arch and The Grotto, and Fatali’s Boneyard. In order to get to the wave a hike is required as there is no trail for access.
An important fact that should be considered is a permit from The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is required for the Wave. Only 64 people per day (48 permits granted three months in advance and 16 permits granted one day in advance) are allowed in the area and demand far exceeds supply. During the most popular months (April, May, September, October) there can be an estimated 300 people applying for the sixteen daily permits. In the other months you usually have much less than a 50% chance of getting one at the daily lottery. You will need to acquire your permit before booking your tour.
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During The Wave Hiking Tour you will experience a landscape of breathtaking rock formations and vibrant colors. Your experienced guide will lead you on a hike through the desert landscape. During your hike you will experience stunning hidden gems. When you arrive at the Wave you will take in the breathtaking rusty hues that lead to beautiful blue skies. Confirmation of why The Wave is such a special destination.
ABOUT
WHITE POCKET
Six miles southeast of The Wave and Coyote Buttes is White Pocket. White Pocket is a group of domes and ridges that cover one square mile, and are just below a larger mesa lined by similar rocks. White Pocket consists of sandy plains that are sparsely covered in small trees and bushes. Rocks in other area formations are red in color, but there is a distinct difference in White Pocket. White Pocket rocks are light gray and white in color. Although the colors are contrasting, the thin layered strata and swirling are similar. There are also similar layers of erosive features.
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On your White Pocket Hiking Tour you will experience a vast array of desert landscape, formations, and colorful striations. This tour is called the “Better than the Wave” Hiking Tour because you experience some of the same formations as The Wave Tour, but no permit is required. Your highly experienced and trained tour guide will take you on one of the most photographic tours in the southwest. It is rivalrous to The Wave Tour because of its complexity, variety, and size. You don’t want to miss this beauty.
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co. was founded by locals who know and love this area, who grew up exploring the red hills around Kanab, Orderville, Zion, and the greater Southern Utah. We have a passion for sharing our home with others!