You’ve seen the photos. Those swirling, psychedelic ribbons of Navajo Sandstone that look more like a frozen ocean than a rock formation. But here is the thing: a lot of people look at the Wave AZ map and think they’re just going for a casual stroll in the desert.
They aren't.
North Coyote Buttes is a wilderness area, not a national park with paved paths and gift shops. Honestly, it’s a topographical maze. If you don't have a solid grasp of the terrain before you step off the Wire Pass trailhead, you’re basically betting your safety on a hope and a prayer. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) actually gives you a physical map with photo landmarks when you win the permit lottery, and there is a very specific reason for that. GPS fails. Batteries die. The desert looks the same in every direction once the sun starts to dip.
Getting the Wave AZ Map in Your Hands
Let’s talk about the permit first, because you can't even legally use the Wave AZ map to hike there without one. It’s one of the hardest tickets to get in the American West. You’re looking at two options: the advanced online lottery held four months in advance or the daily "geofence" lottery you enter via the Recreation.gov app while you’re physically in the Kanab or Page area.
Once you win—and if you do, consider yourself incredibly lucky—the BLM rangers don't just send you a PDF. They give you a high-quality, printed packet. This isn't just bureaucratic fluff. This packet contains the official Wave AZ map which includes 12 specific photo landmarks. Why photos? Because there is no trail. No cairns. No signs. You are navigating by sight, matching the physical horizon to the pictures in your hand.
People get lost here every year. Some have died. The heat in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness can hit 100°F before noon in the summer, and when you’re staring at a map trying to figure out if that "twin butte" on the paper is the one 300 yards in front of you, things get stressful fast.
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Navigating the Landmarks
Starting at Wire Pass, you’ll head down a wash. Easy enough, right? But shortly after, you have to exit the wash and head up onto the slickrock. This is where most people lose the "trail" because, well, the trail stops existing.
If you’re looking at your Wave AZ map, the first major milestone is the "Twin Buttes." You have to aim for a gap between them. If you go too far left, you’re heading toward Buckskin Gulch. Too far right, and you’re just wandering into the vast, scorching emptiness of the Vermilion Cliffs.
The Infamous Sand Hill
There’s a section on the map that looks like a short distance but feels like a marathon: the sand hill. It’s a steep, grueling climb in deep, loose sand. Most hikers describe this as the hardest part of the six-mile round trip. It’s frustrating. You take one step up and slide half a step back. But once you summit that ridge, the "entrance" to the Wave starts to reveal itself.
The Wave itself is tucked into a side canyon. It’s smaller than people expect from the wide-angle photos they see on Instagram. It’s tucked away, hidden by the high walls of the butte. Even with a Wave AZ map, you might walk right past the entrance if you aren't paying attention to the specific shape of the "Black Crack" on the wall above the formation.
Why GPS Isn't Enough
I know what you're thinking. "I have Gaia GPS" or "I downloaded the AllTrails map." Great. Use them. But don't rely on them.
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The sandstone walls in this area are high and iron-rich. This can sometimes mess with your signal or cause "GPS drift," where your blue dot suddenly jumps 200 feet to the side. In a place where a 200-foot deviation puts you on top of a cliff you can't get down from, that’s a problem.
Also, your phone screen is nearly impossible to read in the blinding Arizona sun. The Wave AZ map provided by the BLM is matte-printed for a reason. It doesn't glare. It doesn't run out of juice.
The Return Journey is Different
Here is a pro tip that most guides won't tell you: the way back looks nothing like the way in.
When you turn around to leave the Wave, the landmarks look completely different from the reverse angle. This is where the majority of "lost hiker" calls originate. People spend hours at the Wave, get tired, lose their orientation, and start walking toward the wrong notch in the horizon. On your Wave AZ map, pay close attention to the landmarks marked for the return trip. Specifically, look for the "Coyote Teepees." These are conical rock formations that serve as a beacon to guide you back toward the Wire Pass wash.
Seasonal Hazards You Won't See on the Map
The Wave AZ map shows you the "where," but it doesn't show you the "when."
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- Monsoon Season (July - September): Flash floods are a real, lethal threat. The Wire Pass wash can turn into a churning river of mud and boulders in minutes, even if it’s not raining where you are. If the sky looks dark upstream, you stay out of the wash. Period.
- Winter: It snows in Northern Arizona. Seeing the Wave covered in white is stunning, but the slickrock becomes a literal ice rink. The "map" doesn't tell you that the descent off the sand hill can be a dangerous slide when frozen.
- The Heat: If you’re hiking in June, the rock radiates heat back at you. It’s like being in a convection oven. You need a minimum of a gallon of water per person. If you run out, the best map in the world won't save you from heatstroke.
Beyond the Wave: The "Second Wave" and More
Most people get to the Wave, take their photos, and head back. They’re missing out.
If you look at the extended Wave AZ map areas, you’ll see spots like the "Second Wave" just to the south. It’s flatter, more brownish-orange, and incredible at sunset. Then there’s the "Great Alcove" and "Top Rock."
Top Rock is a beast to climb. It involves some serious scrambling that might make you a little dizzy if you’re afraid of heights. But the view from up there? You can see the entire layout of the Coyote Buttes. You can see why the map is shaped the way it is. You can see the "Melody Arch" and the "Windows." Just realize that adding these to your trip turns a 6-mile hike into a 9 or 10-mile day.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
Don't just wing it. This isn't a "show up and hike" situation.
- Download Offline Maps: Use the Avenza Maps app. The BLM actually provides a georeferenced version of the official Wave AZ map that works with your phone's GPS even without cell service. This is the gold standard for navigating this specific spot.
- Check the Weather via NOAA: Do not trust generic weather apps. Check the specific forecast for "Coyote Buttes North" on the National Weather Service website. Look for wind speeds too—sandstorms out there will sandblast your camera lenses and your eyeballs.
- The "Visual Breadcrumb" Method: Every time you pass a major rock formation, turn around and take a photo of it from the back. This creates a visual "trail" for your return journey. It’s a low-tech backup that works every single time.
- Footwear Matters: This isn't the place for your trendy white sneakers. You need deep lugs. Sandstone is grippy when dry but can be like glass if there’s a fine layer of sand on top.
- Leave No Trace: This should go without saying, but the Wave is fragile. The "fins" of rock are only a few inches thick in some places. They snap easily. Don't step on the thin edges. Don't carve your name into the 190-million-year-old rock. Don't be that person.
The Wave AZ map is your lifeline in one of the most stunning landscapes on Earth. Treat it with respect, study it before you leave the parking lot, and remember that the desert doesn't care about your Instagram feed. It only cares if you’re prepared. Bring more water than you think you need, keep your eyes on the landmarks, and you’ll have the trip of a lifetime.