The Wave – Coyote Buttes North

Swirling bands of crossbedded sandstone form a natural amphitheater so surreal it has become a global pilgrimage for photographers — and one of the hardest permits in the American West, awarded by daily BLM lottery for a handful of hikers. The unmarked 10 km round-trip route through Vermilion Cliffs National Monument demands navigation skills, ample water, and an early start.