The Wave
The legendary sandstone formation—one of the most photographed geological wonder...
View The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) permit details and availabilityPermitSnag checks Recreation.gov every 2-3 minutes. When a cancellation posts, we send an alert so you can book before the spot is gone.

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Equally stunning but easier to get than The Wave.
“Experience Coyote Buttes South in Vermilion Cliffs.”
Applications are open now. Coyote Buttes South opens permits on a rolling monthly schedule. Get reminders for the deadline and results, and apply with a pool to boost your odds.
Applications are open now. Coyote Buttes South opens permits on a rolling monthly schedule. Get reminders for the deadline and results, and apply with a pool to boost your odds.
Two ways to land it
We remind you when the Coyote Buttes South lottery opens, before the deadline, and when results post, so you never miss your window. (This permit runs a lottery only. Leftovers roll into the next lottery, so there are no cancellations to catch.)
Set lottery remindersApply with a crew. Each person multiplies your combined odds. We coordinate invites, deadlines, and outcomes.
See plans to start a poolBest odds: run a pool and let us remind you before every deadline.
Better odds with a crew
Coyote Buttes South is a lottery. Every friend who applies adds another entry, so a crew gets more shots at the same permit than any one of you alone.
One of you runs the pool (Pro or a $12 alert). Everyone else joins free.
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Verify your email and add payment info ahead of time.
Permits get cancelled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.
Get instant notifications when cancellations happen. We check availability every 2-3 minutes, 24/7.
Summer offers the most reliable conditions for most wilderness areas.
Fitness and endurance required
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Route finding and trail clarity
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Hikers of moderate fitness willing to put in the effort.
Basic hiking experience. Start with shorter trails if new to hiking.
Coyote Buttes South in Vermilion Cliffs offers a wilderness experience protected by the permit system. Quotas help maintain trail conditions and ensure visitors can enjoy the natural setting without overcrowding.
Required and recommended gear for Coyote Buttes South
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttlesExperienced wilderness guides
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Competitive
estimated success rate
Get detailed lottery statistics and tips. Sign up to track this permit.
Apply with a crew to multiply your combined odds, and let auto win-detection tell you the moment you win — you never have to check Recreation.gov. Pool and auto win-detection are on Pro or a $12 permit alert.
12,453 permits and 8,294 campsites secured by PermitSnag users
Coyote Buttes South permits use a lottery system. PermitSnag sends lottery open, deadline, and results reminders.
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
This permit has a demand score of 6/10, making it moderately competitive.
This permit is awarded by lottery, so there's no cancellation inventory to track. PermitSnag reminds you when the next lottery opens, before the deadline, and when results post — and you can apply with a pool to boost your odds.
Coyote Buttes South is most photogenic during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset when the light is warm and soft.
Morning light is typically best, with clearer air and softer shadows. Afternoon can bring haze in summer.
Arrive before 7am for the best chance at crowd-free photos. The hour after sunrise is magical.
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Coyote Buttes South trip
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