Lottery10/10
The Wave lottery
The legendary sandstone formation—one of the most photographed geological wonder...
Coyote Buttes South Advanced Permit
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument · Arizona
One date at a time
Teepee-striped sandstone in the same wilderness as The Wave, released on a calendar three months out instead of by lottery. No trails, no destinations, and a 4WD road to get there.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Coyote Buttes South were gone within 10 minutes.
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Coyote Buttes South Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelModerate6/10
SeasonYear-round
Cost$6 reservation + $5/person
Daily Quota20 people
Max Group Size6 people
Coyote Buttes South Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Coyote Buttes South in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona requires a permit issued via reservation.
- The Coyote Buttes South route covers 8 miles with 400 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate.
- Cancelled Coyote Buttes South permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Key Dates
SeasonYear-round
Permit Details
TypeDay Use
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level6/10
LocationColorado Plateau, AZ
Pro Tips
- •Set an alarm for 12:00 noon Mountain on the 1st — the whole month three months out goes on sale at once
- •Cancellations here do come back: BLM says a cancelled permit "is allocated back to the calendar so that others may reserve it"
- •You must carry a printed permit; BLM does not accept a phone screen
- •Lone Tree is the only trailhead a two-wheel-drive high-clearance vehicle may reach, and it costs you an extra 5 miles round trip through deep sand
- •Skip a summer date if you can — BLM records fatalities from heat-related illness in this wilderness
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
8 miles
Elevation Gain
400 ft
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
4-8 hours
Difficulty
ModerateElevation Range
4,600 - 4,800 ft
Highlights
- •No single iconic feature. Multiple formations to explore
- •6-10 miles of wandering depending on route
- •No marked trails. GPS navigation required
- •Better lottery odds than The Wave
- •Maximum 20 people per day, not 20 permits — a party of six uses six of the twenty (BLM: "A daily maximum of 20 people")
Best Time to Visit
March-May and September-November. Summer is dangerously hot. Winter is possible but cold.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Navigation challenges. No trails, GPS required.
- !Dehydration. No water on route.
- !Rough access road. High clearance recommended.
- !Flash floods in washes
- !Extreme heat in summer
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (4,600 ft)
Today
☁️
84°
65°
Sun
☁️
81°
62°
31%
Mon
☁️
80°
63°
24%
Tue
🌧️
80°
63°
Wed
🌧️
77°
61°
Thu
🌧️
77°
64°
Fri
☁️
81°
62°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
When to Go
Peak: March-May and September-NovemberShoulder: Late February and early December
Conditions
Mild days, firm sand after winter moisture, long light.
Crowd Level
LowAdvantages
- +The most reliable season BLM names
- +Comfortable walking temperatures
- +Roads usually at their firmest
Challenges
- !Wind
- !Cold nights if you are camping outside the permit area
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand2/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk1/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation4/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Explorers comfortable with GPS navigation seeking Wave-quality formations without Wave-level competition.
Recommended Experience
GPS navigation experience. Desert hiking helpful.
Not Recommended For
Those who need marked trails or single iconic destinations.
About This Permit
Coyote Buttes South offers sandstone formations comparable to The Wave with significantly better lottery odds. The zone contains multiple named features (Cotton Candy, Paw Hole, The Teepees) plus extensive unnamed terrain.
Like Coyote Buttes North (The Wave), access is by lottery permit. However, demand is lower, making permits more attainable. Maximum 20 people per day.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Coyote Buttes South holds formations every bit as remarkable as its famous northern neighbor, and it is far easier to get into. BLM issues permits for both areas by lottery and publishes no success rate for either, but the capacity tells the story: Coyote Buttes North is capped at 64 people a day across the advance and daily lotteries, and South permits are often still available in peak season. Getting there is the trade — the access roads need high clearance and four-wheel drive.
The Route
From the Paw Hole Trailhead (reached via Wire Pass Road or Paria Outpost), routes fan out to various formations. Unlike The Wave, there's no single iconic feature here. Instead, the entire zone is extraordinary.
The Cotton Candy, Paw Hole, and The Teepees are the named attractions, but countless unnamed formations reward exploration. Navigation is by GPS waypoints and visual landmarks. There is no trail.
The Feeling
You walk through a landscape that makes no sense. Sandstone folded and twisted by forces that operated 190 million years ago. Colors swirl in patterns that seem painted rather than geological. The Cotton Candy formation lives up to its name. Paw Hole's perfect circles defy explanation. And you might be the only person here.
Trailhead Information
Cottonwood Cove Trailhead
Primary southern access to the teepee formations.
Restrooms
No water
No Service
Before you rely on this water
There is no water anywhere in the permit area. BLM's guidance for this wilderness is to "carry at least a gallon of water per person."
Parking
Small undeveloped pullout at the end of the sand track.
Getting There
Four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle required. BLM: the roads to Cottonwood Cove and Paw Hole "are composed of deep sand with sections of rough rock." Experience driving in deep sand matters as much as the vehicle.
Nearest Services
Kanab, Utah or Page, Arizona. Nothing closer.
Paw Hole Trailhead
Northern access, shortest walk to the first formations.
Restrooms
No water
No Service
Before you rely on this water
No water. Carry at least a gallon per person, per BLM.
Getting There
Four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle required — same deep sand as Cottonwood Cove.
Nearest Services
Kanab or Page.
Lone Tree Trailhead
The two-wheel-drive fallback, at a cost.
Restrooms
No water
No Service
Before you rely on this water
No water. The extra mileage from this trailhead makes that worse, not better.
Getting There
BLM: "Lone Tree is the only trailhead that may be accessible with a two-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle when road conditions are good. However, accessing the permit area using this option adds an additional 5-mile round trip hike through deep sand."
Nearest Services
Kanab or Page.
Rules & Regulations
- •Lottery permit required
- •Maximum 20 people per day
- •Day use only (no camping)
- •GPS navigation essential
- •Stay on slickrock (protect cryptobiotic soil)
Gear Checklist
Required
- GPS with downloaded waypoints
- 1 gallon water minimum per person
- Sun protection
- Sturdy footwear for slickrock
- BLM permit and photo guide
Recommended
- Camera with polarizing filter
- Tripod for detail shots
- Extra water beyond minimum
- Snacks for full-day exploration
- Layers for temperature changes
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Coyote Buttes South
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Key Landmarks
↑
400ft
Gain↓
400ft
Loss⛰️
4,800ft
High📏
3.0mi
Distance📐
2.5%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•5 landmarks
Landmarks (5)
Coyote Buttes South FAQ
How do I get a Coyote Buttes South permit?
Reservations open at 12:00 noon Mountain Time on the 1st of each month for the whole of the third month ahead — August 1 releases November, and so on. BLM will not sell you one for today or tomorrow. Everything is booked on Recreation.gov permit 16851.
How many Coyote Buttes South permits are issued per day?
BLM caps the area at 20 people a day: "10 people are allocated through the online calendar system" and "the other 10 people are awarded through the Daily Lottery, a separate process than this online calendar." Maximum group size is 6, and everyone counts, including infants.
Is Coyote Buttes South the same as The Wave?
No, and BLM leads its own page with "This is Not The Wave." The Wave is in Coyote Buttes North, a separate permit area with a separate quota. A Coyote Buttes South permit is "not valid for other permit areas such as Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) or Paria Canyon Overnight."
Do I need 4WD for the Coyote Buttes South permit area?
For two of the three trailheads, yes. BLM: "Four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle is required for Cottonwood Cove & Paw Hole Trailheads. The roads accessing these trailheads are composed of deep sand with sections of rough rock." Lone Tree may work in a two-wheel-drive high-clearance vehicle when conditions are good, at the cost of an extra 5-mile round trip on foot.
What does a Coyote Buttes South permit cost?
A $6 reservation fee plus $5 per person and per dog, all non-refundable. No interagency pass gets you a discount — BLM says the America the Beautiful series does not apply here.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
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Write the First ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Late afternoon light brings out the warm colors in the sandstone. Sunrise illuminates the eastern formations.
Best Light
Low-angle light (morning or evening) enhances the swirl patterns. Overcast days provide even illumination for detail shots.
Beat the Crowds
Already less crowded than The Wave. Weekday visits offer near-solitude.
Classic Shots
- 📍Cotton Candy formation in warm light
- 📍Paw Hole perfect circles
- 📍The Teepees against blue sky
- 📍Detail shots of sandstone swirls
- 📍Panorama of the entire South zone
Can't Get a Coyote Buttes South Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
The Wave (Coyote Buttes North)
Similar ExperienceThe famous formation, on a much more contested lottery.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
More iconic, but capped at 64 permits a day, and South is usually the one you can actually get.
White Pocket
Similar ExperienceBrain rock formations without permit requirement.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
No permit needed but requires 4WD and careful navigation.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Coyote Buttes South trip
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