What Is It?

Near the Arizona-Utah border, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument encompasses more than 280,000 acres of vibrant geologic features, including tall cliffs and swirling rock formations.

History

Over thousands of years, wind and rain eroded layers of sandstone to create Vermilion Cliffs’ stunning geologic features. The most notable is The Wave—pictured here—within Coyote Buttes. Much of the monument is so remote that it is used to reintroduce California condors to the wild.

Hiking

The wave is a difficult 6.4-mile hike, which demands wayfinding skills. To make the challenging journey, advance permits are required through
recreation.gov, with a daily lottery and an advanced lottery for those looking to plan months in advance.

Camping

To stay at the monument overnight, consider camping or backpacking. The monument offers three- and five-day backpacking permits. Two developed campsites—Stateline and White House—sit just outside the monument’s borders.

More Information

There are no paved roads within Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. To see the sights from the road, consider driving along Vermilion Cliffs Scenic Highway. To start planning your trip, visit www.blm.gov/visit/vermilion-cliffs-national-monument or call 435-688-3200.