Curved layered sandstone walls and sandy path within The Wave Coyote Buttes North Arizona

    Curving sandstone walls form a narrow passage within The Wave in Coyote Buttes North.

    ← Back to Vermilion Cliffs & Paria Plateau

    The Wave

    Landmark

    The Wave is a sandstone formation defined by smooth, undulating rock layers forming curved lines across a compact surface. The formation sits within open desert terrain with minimal obstruction around it. The composition resolves through the flow of lines and the relationship between surface patterns and light.

    36.99596, -112.00633

    See what's nearby on the map

    Gallery

    Curved layered sandstone walls and sandy path within The Wave Coyote Buttes North Arizona

    Curving sandstone walls form a narrow passage within The Wave in Coyote Buttes N…

    The Wave sandstone formation with flowing red and orange rock layers in Coyote Buttes Arizona

    Curving sandstone layers forming The Wave in Coyote Buttes, Arizona.

    Hiker standing within curved layered sandstone walls at The Wave Coyote Buttes North Arizona

    A lone hiker stands within the sweeping sandstone curves of The Wave in Coyote B…

    Aerial view of The Wave with layered sandstone patterns and hikers for scale in Coyote Buttes North Arizona

    Aerial view of The Wave revealing flowing sandstone patterns and scale in Coyote…

    Curved sandstone layers and flowing rock patterns at The Wave in Coyote Buttes North Arizona

    Flowing sandstone layers and curved formations at The Wave in Coyote Buttes Nort…

    Layered sandstone ridges and desert terrain along The Wave trail in Coyote Buttes North Arizona

    Layered sandstone ridges and domes along The Wave approach in Coyote Buttes Nort…

    Curved layered sandstone forming The Wave in Coyote Buttes North Arizona

    Sweeping sandstone curves define The Wave formation in Coyote Buttes North.

    Curved layered sandstone basin at The Wave in Coyote Buttes North Arizona

    Flowing sandstone lines form the central basin of The Wave in Coyote Buttes Nort…

    Quick Facts

    Access

    Serious Hike

    90–180 min

    Elevation Gain

    150 m

    Best Light

    Golden Hour
    Midday

    Low-angle light enhances the curvature of the rock layers, while overhead light reveals color variation and pattern across the surface.

    Why This Light

    Low-Angle Relief

    Season

    Seasonally Distinct

    Summer provides strong light that enhances color and contrast across the sandstone layers. In cooler periods, lower sun angles create softer transitions and more defined shadows within the formations.

    Crowds

    Usually Quiet

    Restrictions

    Permit Possible

    Access is strictly limited by a permit lottery system with daily visitor caps; navigation is unmarked across open desert terrain.

    Photography Notes

    The formation is photographed from within a compact area, with composition controlled by position relative to the curved rock lines. Small shifts significantly change how lines flow through the frame. Framing focuses on isolating patterns, curves, and transitions across the sandstone surface.
    ← Back to Vermilion Cliffs & Paria PlateauView workshops in Vermilion Cliffs & Paria Plateau