Wave Canyon is located in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, near the Arizona-Utah border. It is known for its unique, swirling sandstone formations and is a popular destination for hikers and photographers.
Wave Canyon History
The sandstone formations in Wave Canyon were created over millions of years by the forces of wind and water. The area is considered sacred by several Native American tribes and is now protected as part of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
How to get a permit to hike Wave Canyon
Due to the fragile nature of the landscape, permits are required to hike in Wave Canyon. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issues a limited number of permits each day, and they are highly sought after. To obtain a permit, you must apply through an online lottery system four months in advance of your desired hiking date. The lottery is highly competitive, with thousands of applicants for a limited number of permits. BLM issues total of 20 permits per day.
Drive to the Trailhead
Wave Canyon is located in a remote area and requires a 4WD high-clearance vehicle to reach the trailhead. The drive to the trailhead is along unpaved roads and can be challenging, especially after rain or snow. From Kanab, Utah, drive east on US Highway 89 for 35 miles to the House Rock Valley Road (BLM Road 1065). Turn left onto House Rock Valley Road and continue for 8.3 miles to the Wire Pass Trailhead parking lot. From there, follow the signs to the Wave Canyon Trailhead, which is located approximately 3.5 miles down the unpaved road.
Wave Canyon Hike
The Wave is located in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, near the Arizona-Utah border. While there are multiple trailheads that lead to the Wave, the most popular route starts from the Wire Pass Trailhead. The hike is approximately 6 miles round trip and is rated as moderate to strenuous due to the rugged terrain and steep elevation changes.
To reach the Wire Pass Trailhead, you’ll need to drive down a dirt road that requires a high-clearance vehicle. From the town of Kanab, Utah, drive east on US Highway 89 for 35 miles to the House Rock Valley Road (BLM Road 1065). Turn left onto House Rock Valley Road and continue for 8.3 miles to the Wire Pass Trailhead parking lot.
The hike begins at the Wire Pass Trailhead and follows a sandy wash into the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. The first mile or so of the trail is relatively flat, following the sandy wash through a narrow canyon. Along the way, hikers will pass by towering sandstone walls, colorful rock formations, and unique geologic features.
After about a mile of hiking, the trail reaches a junction with the Buckskin Gulch Trail. Here, hikers should turn right (west) and continue on the main trail. The next section of the trail is more challenging, as hikers will need to navigate through a series of sandstone formations and narrow passages. The trail follows a series of cairns (stacks of rocks) that mark the way through the maze-like canyon.
After about 2.5 miles of hiking, the trail reaches the main attraction – the Wave formation itself. The Wave is a delicate, swirling sandstone formation that resembles a giant wave frozen in time. The patterns and colors of the sandstone are truly mesmerizing, and it’s easy to see why the Wave is such a popular spot for photographers.
To reach the top of the Wave, we had to climb a steep sandstone hill. The final ascent is challenging, with loose sand and steep drop-offs on either side. However, the views from the top are well worth the effort. From the top of the Wave, we enjoyed panoramic vistas of the surrounding desert landscape, with distant mountains and mesas visible in every direction.
After taking in the views from the top of the Wave, we went back to the trailhead. The hike out was somewhat challenging, as it involves a steep climb up the sandy canyon walls. We descended down, spent some time looking for dinosaurs footprints, found them and then followed the same trail back to the parking lot.
Hiking Wave canyon was amazing and I recommend doing it during your trip to Utah.
