Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona/Utah
When To Go: The Wave (Coyote Buttes North)
Enter the advance online lottery four months ahead, or the daily geofenced lottery two days out — and go in spring or fall, never midsummer.
Advance lottery runs the entire month, four months before your trip; daily lottery runs two days before, inside the geofenced area
Results: First of the month for the advance lottery; 6:15 p.m. MT for the daily
March–May and October–November
lottery — Coyote Buttes North day-use permit
Bureau of Land Management — Coyote Buttes NorthMonth by month at The Wave (Coyote Buttes North)
- JanuaryShoulder
Cold, quiet, occasional ice in shaded pockets.
- FebruaryShoulder
Cool and clear; short daylight.
- MarchPrime
Ideal temperatures and light.
- AprilPrime
Best all-around month. Highest lottery demand.
- MayPrime
Warm but still safe with an early start.
- JuneTough
Dangerous heat. Multiple fatalities have occurred in summer.
- JulyTough
Extreme heat plus monsoon storms.
- AugustTough
Extreme heat plus monsoon storms.
- SeptemberShoulder
Cooling off; still hot at midday.
- OctoberPrime
Superb light and comfortable temperatures.
- NovemberPrime
Cool, clear, and quiet.
- DecemberShoulder
Cold mornings; short shooting window.
Crowds
Only 64 people per day are allowed. Crowding is not the issue — drawing the permit is.
Weather
Summer surface temperatures on the slickrock exceed 120°F and there is no shade or water. Winter can bring ice in the shaded bowls.
What actually decides the trip
- There is no marked trail. Carry the BLM photo route card, a GPS track, and a paper map.
- Permit holders must attend an orientation or watch the required safety video.
- Hikers have died of heat exposure here. Turn around early and carry far more water than feels necessary.
- Coyote Buttes South and White Pocket are excellent, far easier alternatives.
Activities: Day hiking · Photography
Size it yourself
Free Wild10 calculators for this kit — no signup, formulas published.