The Wave Tour
- Permit Required -
The Wave Lottery Hike
(Permit Required)
Duration:
Group Size:
What to Bring:
What's Provided:
Ages:
6-8 hours
6
Hiking shoes, pants, 2 liters of water, snacks
Water
1+
Embark on a journey to witness one of the world's most renowned geological formations in the heart of the Southwest. The Wave hiking tour takes place near the Utah/Arizona border and promises an unforgettable experience.
The six-mile round-trip guided hike is a bucket list item, offering a surreal landscape of sweeping rock formations and a vibrant color palette that will leave you in awe.
On this immersive hiking day tour, you’ll discover visually stunning hidden gems just off the main trail. The Wave is not just a hike; it’s an exploration of one of the best hiking tour adventures in the world, where the natural wonders of the North Coyote Buttes region await.
About the wave tour
​Located within the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, on the Utah-Arizona border, The Wave is a world-famous sandstone formation in Coyote Buttes North. The incredible sight was carved by wind and water over the course of millions of years. Up close, the stone has a swirling red, gold, and orange wave-like pattern with a smooth feel to the touch. In some areas of the stone, you will even find some Jurassic-era fossils. Because of the fragile nature of the stone, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) restricts access to just 64 hikers per day. Permits to visit are granted through a lottery system. ​​
Trip Details
This 6-mile round-trip guided hike takes you deep into Coyote Buttes North to experience The Wave—one of the most world-renowned geologic formations in the American Southwest. With sweeping sandstone landscapes, vivid colors, and hidden gems just off the main trail, this adventure is a true bucket-list experience.
Duration: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging (uneven terrain, sand, and sun exposure)
What’s Included:
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Expert local guide (one per group)
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Water provided
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Coolers to keep your snacks and drinks cold
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Transportation to the trailhead in a high-clearance 4x4
Important Information:
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A permit is required to hike The Wave — you must obtain one before booking.
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Group sizes: Up to 6 guests per standard booking (call for groups up to 10).
Custom times may be available — contact us if your preferred slot is full.
Gallery of The Wave Tour
Why Choose ROAM for The Wave
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ROAM Outdoor Adventure Co. is an award-winning company run by locals who were born and raised here in the Southern Utah desert.
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We provide private and small-group tours designed to give you the most time inside Coyote Buttes North while avoiding crowds.
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Our guides will handle all the logistics, transport, safety, and navigation so you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty of The Wave.
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And to top it off, our guides will show you ancient fossils and guide you to secret rock formations and stunning landscapes you’d never find on your own.​​​
REVIEWS FOR THE WAVE TOUR
TRACI M.
What an amazing experience! We won a permit to The Wave and hiring a guide is highly recommended. We went with Roam, and Coleman was our guide. We met in Kanab and he drove us to the trailhead. He grew up locally and has explored every possible place there is around to explore! He is very knowledgeable about the geology and history of not just The Wave but everywhere around.
JESSICA G.
They didn’t stop after guiding us to the jaw-dropping beauty of the iconic Wave, they made sure we saw all that this area has to offer- the gorgeous Melody Arch, the second wave, and so much more. They took photos for us, pointed out things we would have missed (dinosaur tracks, cool geologic formations, etc), and even absolutely awed my youngest son with backflips!
DEBRA P.
The roads out to the Wave were pretty rough due to bad weather. They were the only company willing to go out because of this and because it was New Year’s Day. Their guide for the Wave was TC and TC was outstanding. He answered tons of questions, allowed plenty of time for pictures and to just relax and take in the scenery. We never felt rushed and got to enjoy a full day at the Wave. He even showed us dinosaur tracks on the rocks.
