The Wave (Coyote Buttes North)
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Situated within the stunning Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, The Wave in Coyote Buttes North is a pristine natural area filled with sculpted cliffs and colorful sandstone formations. To preserve the beauty of this area, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) heavily limits access to the region. Although overnight camping isn't permitted at The Wave itself, RV travelers can stay at nearby developed campgrounds or dispersed camping areas within Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Because access requires a permit and House Rock Road becomes impassable after rain, this destination is best suited for well-prepared RV travelers planning a day hike from a nearby campsite.
Quick Facts About RVing in The Wave (Coyote Buttes North)
• RV Friendly: Limited • Max RV Length: Varies • Camping Type: None • Reservations: Permits required • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None onsite • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed (pets need their own permit) • Roads: Dirt and sand • Best Season: Fall and spring
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• Incredibly scenic drive along House Rock Road • Easy day trip from nearby RV campgrounds • Excellent basecamp for exploring Vermilion Cliffs National Monument • Access to nearby dispersed camping • Dark skies for stargazing
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
The Wave
The Wave is a spectacular site accessible from the Wire Pass Trailhead at the Coyote Buttes North Permit Area. The hike to The Wave is a physically demanding 6.4-mile round trip — hikers must be in good physical health and possess reasonable fitness ability. The trail is often covered with loose sand and red rock, so wearing proper footwear is essential. Hikers here should carry maps and have a basic understanding of navigation skills because although this is a bucket-list hike for many, there are no established trails.
Length: 6.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate to strenuous
Wire Pass Trail
The Wire Pass Trail is a 3.7-mile moderately challenging trail running through the Paria-Canyon Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. This route requires an average of one hour and 15 minutes to complete. It is a popular area for hiking from April through October. You need a permit to hike this trail, which you can obtain at the Recreation.gov website.
Length: 3.7 miles
Intensity: Moderate to strenuous
Fishing and Boating
There are several fishing and boating sites near The Wave. Visitors can fish at Paria Beach, located 51 miles from The Wave. This is a popular location for boating and camping. The Paria River runs from Marble Canyon at the Utah border to the Colorado River. On this stretch of the river, you can fish for trout, bass, and catfish.
Wildlife Viewing
One of the unique wildlife creatures visitors can observe in The Wave is the desert bighorn sheep. Other wild animals in this BLM area include mule deer, coyotes, squirrels, collared lizards, ferruginous hawks, and red-tailed hawks.
Picnicking
There are various picnic areas near The Wave that offer good views of the area and access to water. Located 17 miles away, White House Trailhead and Campground offers a beautiful picnic area and clean restroom facilities. This campground has picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite.
Stargazing
The Wave provides an excellent stargazing opportunity for visitors looking to get away from city lights and enjoy an unobstructed view of the galaxy. The best time to stargaze is during the new moon when there is no moon in the sky.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
If you're looking to spend a few nights in the area, there are a few RV camping options nearby. Dark Sky RV & Campground is located 50 miles away and offers full hook-ups, pull-through sites, and back-in sites. This campground has 30/50-amp service and phone, cable TV, Wi-Fi, an outdoor kitchen, a refill station, private bath suites, and laundry services for campers. It also has an enclosed leash-free dog park, a kids' playground, hiking trails, and barbecue sites.
J&J RV Park is an RV park with level parking pads, back-in sites, and pull-through sites. Some amenities offered at this site are hot showers, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, 30/50-amp electrical hookups, water, and sewer hookups. One great Bureau of Land Management campground is the previously mentioned White House Campground.
Developed Campgrounds
The Wave is usually a day trip that RVers make while staying at the nearby Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. This area has two developed campgrounds: Stateline and White House. Both sites feature graveled parking, fire rings, picnic tables, and access to vault toilets. Drinking water and trash disposal are available at the beginning of the access road. They do not have dump stations, electrical hookups, or water hookups. Sites are first-come, first-served, and there are a total of 15 RV camping sites. Both campgrounds charge modest nightly camping fees and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dispersed Camping
The closest dispersed camping site to The Wave is within the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. This area only allows dispersed camping in areas that are not designated as undisturbed nature. The area near the Wirepass trailhead is particularly popular with people planning on hiking The Wave. Keep in mind that it's best to go during the dry months since roads are often impassable after summer and winter storms. April, May, September, and November are especially good times for dispersed camping. The BLM limits dispersed camping to 14 days within 28 days for the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument region. Camp only in previously disturbed sites whenever possible and pack out all trash to help protect this fragile desert landscape.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: These small, lightweight vans are ideal for the rougher roads like House Rock Road. Keep in mind that the BLM recommends four-wheel drive for best results. • Travel Trailers: If you're going to The Wave with a travel trailer, stick to the paved roads along US-89. The lack of four-wheel drive can cause trailers to get stuck. • Fifth Wheels: Fifth wheels can be driven on the paved roads, such as US-89, but the BLM does not recommend bringing them on the clay roads closer to The Wave. • Class A Motorhomes: The roads in this area are fairly level and straight. Class A motorhomes are best suited for paved highways and developed campgrounds rather than the unimproved access roads leading toward the trailhead. • Class B Motorhomes: Due to their smaller size and four-wheel drive potential, Class B motorhomes are a great choice for this area. They'll fit in the gravel driveways of the developed campgrounds, and they can handle the clay roads in dry conditions. • Class C Motorhomes: Smaller Class C motorhomes may be suitable on dry roads, but larger models should remain on paved routes unless road conditions are ideal.
Free Camping 
There are various Bureau of Land Management free camping sites in the area, such as Stateline Campground, which is located 22 miles from The Wave. This campground has pit toilets, shade structures, and picnic tables. However, there is no water or electricity available at this campground.
RV Rentals Near The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) Plan your next adventure
Planning your The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) BLM trip
When planning your Coyote Buttes North trip, make sure you scout the weather and road conditions. This area's temperature reaches over 100 degrees in the summer months. When hiking, pack plenty of food and water and wear a hat and sunscreen. You should also pack your cell phone or satellite phone in case of emergencies. Visitors must bring the proper permits required for this hike — permits for The Wave are given out using a lottery system, so apply for yours as early as possible. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
If you want to visit The Wave in your RV, it pays to be prepared. You'll need to research weather conditions carefully and only drive off the paved roads when it's dry. Potable water is not available near The Wave or Vermilion Cliffs developed campsites, so fill up before you go. Depending on which direction you approach from, the closest area to stock up on water, fuel, and food will most likely be Kanab or Bitter Springs. As an area of pristine natural wilderness, The Wave asks that all visitors operate on "Leave No Trace" principles. You'll need to be prepared to pack out all of your trash and dispose of it once you leave.
Leave No Trace 
The BLM's Leave No Trace policy is a code of outdoor ethics that must be adhered to when exploring this area. You are required to leave all natural resources as you found them. Resist any urge to take home rocks or sand as souvenirs. Clean up all your trash, pack it out, and always be respectful of wildlife and other hikers. The aim of Leave No Trace is to keep the country's natural riches in the best condition possible for present and future generations to enjoy.
The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) Location
To reach The Wave from Page, Arizona, drive west on Highway 89 for 72 miles. After reaching Kanab, turn right onto Fairway Drive and immediately turn right again. The destination will be on the right.
Ready to visit The Wave? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at The Wave
• Early Morning: Pack up supplies from your campground and set off in your RV before the sun begins to rise. Drive along the scenic desert roads until you reach The Wave trailhead. • Midday: Load up with plenty of water and freshly charged cellphones, and hike the approximately 6-mile round-trip trail to The Wave. Make sure to take a lot of photos of the gorgeous natural canyon walls. • Afternoon: Retrace your path along the dune, and stop by your RV for lunch and a little time in the air conditioning. Walk along some of the smaller trails to see fossilized dinosaur tracks and other sandstone formations. • Evening: Drive back to your campground in time for dinner. Enjoy a delicious cookout by your RV and then stargaze before going to bed.
Nearby Attractions
• Lees Ferry Recreation Area: Stop by this spot on the Colorado River if you want to fish or kayak. It's about a half hour away. • Cliff Dwellers Stonehouse: This historic home built into a massive boulder is an exciting visit for architecture and history fans, and it's only a 20-minute drive away. • Four Corners: If you'd like to see this unique spot where four states meet, plan for about a 4-hour drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are generators allowed at The Wave? You can't bring a generator to The Wave itself, but they are allowed in the campgrounds near The Wave. Keep in mind that you'll need to turn your generator off during campground quiet hours. What happens if I can't get a permit for The Wave? Permits are only required for The Wave and a few other specific areas within the region. Most of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is open, so you'll still have plenty of areas to explore. What amenities are available in the parking lot for The Wave? The parking lot right by The Wave does not have electrical or water hookups for RVs, but it does have a vault toilet if you'd like to keep your RV's septic system as empty as possible. What time of day is the best time to visit The Wave? Many photographers report that the best sunlight for The Wave occurs about an hour after sunrise. If possible, hikers suggest you park your RV in the parking lot by dawn, so you can get an early start and see The Wave before shadows cover it. Where should you go if you want more amenities for camping? The campgrounds closest to The Wave are primitive. If you want hookups, activities, and other amenities, the closest option will be the Lees Ferry Campground. How much water should you bring to The Wave? The Wave does not have any potable water for travelers, and the springs that some hikers visit can dry up at random times. To avoid any issues, make sure your RV has at least one gallon of drinking water per person.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
If you'd like to see all the natural beauty of The Wave, it's important to be prepared. The soaring curves of wind-carved sandstone are worth a visit, but they aren't for the faint of heart. Start your preparations by making sure you have the right RV. While any length of RV is fine, it's important to pick a sturdy vehicle that can drive on clay and dirt roads. Look for lightweight Class B or Class C RVs with four-wheel drive. Start planning your adventure by browsing RV rentals near Kanab.