Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Map & Directions
Updated by AZ Leisure Staff Writers on
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is a remote 280,000-acre Bureau of Land Management recreation area in northern Arizona near the Utah border. The monument encompasses the Paria Plateau, Coyote Buttes, White Pocket, portions of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness and the spectacular Vermilion Cliffs escarpment overlooking Marble Canyon.
Important for navigation: Google Maps may show different destinations for "Vermilion Cliffs" and "Vermilion Cliffs National Monument." The Vermilion Cliffs location generally refers to the southern sandstone escarpment near U.S. Highway 89A, while the national monument location may be plotted farther north or northeast within the much larger protected area. These map pins are not interchangeable driving destinations. Choose your route based on the specific attraction you intend to visit.
U.S. Highway 89 and U.S. Highway 89A provide the principal paved approaches, but there is no single monument entrance road. Backcountry destinations such as White Pocket and The Wave require additional planning, and some routes involve unpaved roads, deep sand, permit requirements and limited services.
- Vermilion Cliffs Quick Facts
- Vermilion Cliffs Escarpment Map
- National Monument Area Map
- Main Access Routes
- Directions From Page
- Directions From Kanab
- White Pocket Access
- The Wave Access & Permits
- Road & Vehicle Conditions
- Visitor Tips
- FAQ
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Quick Facts
- Location: Northern Arizona near the Utah border, with the Vermilion Cliffs escarpment along the southern portion of the monument
- Size: Approximately 280,000 acres
- Established: November 9, 2000
- Managing agency: Bureau of Land Management
- Main paved approaches: U.S. Highway 89 for northern backcountry access and U.S. Highway 89A for the southern Vermilion Cliffs escarpment
- Roads inside monument: Unpaved
- Major destinations: White Pocket, Coyote Buttes, The Wave, Paria Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs
- Vehicle needs: Vary by destination; many backcountry roads require high-clearance four-wheel drive
- Permits: Required for The Wave, Coyote Buttes South and overnight Paria Canyon trips
- Visitor center: No developed visitor center inside the monument
Major Areas Within Vermilion Cliffs
- White Pocket: Remote swirling sandstone formations reached by difficult sandy four-wheel-drive roads.
- Coyote Buttes North: Permit-controlled wilderness containing The Wave.
- Coyote Buttes South: Remote sandstone formations requiring a separate permit and high-clearance four-wheel-drive access.
- Paria Canyon: Long wilderness canyon popular for day hiking and multi-day backpacking.
- Vermilion Cliffs: Massive colorful escarpments rising above Highway 89A and Marble Canyon.
- California Condor Viewing Area: Opportunities to see endangered California condors near the Vermilion Cliffs.
Best Time To Visit Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
- Spring: Mild daytime temperatures make spring excellent for hiking, photography and backcountry travel, although storms can make dirt roads impassable.
- Summer: Extreme heat and flash-flood risk can make hiking dangerous. Begin early, carry substantial water and monitor weather closely.
- Fall: Cooler temperatures and generally favorable hiking conditions make fall one of the most popular seasons.
- Winter: Light crowds and dramatic scenery are appealing, but snow, ice, mud and freezing temperatures can restrict backcountry access.
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument lies in northern Arizona near the Utah state line, between the Page, Kanab and Marble Canyon gateway areas. The monument encompasses the Paria Plateau, spectacular sandstone formations and remote backcountry landscapes. Access varies considerably depending on the specific destination.
Vermilion Cliffs Escarpment Map
This map shows the Vermilion Cliffs area along the southern side of the national monument, near U.S. Highway 89A, Jacob Lake and the Arizona-Utah border region. The dramatic red sandstone cliffs are a popular scenic attraction, especially for travelers approaching Marble Canyon and Navajo Bridge. A Google Maps search for "Vermilion Cliffs" may direct visitors toward this southern area rather than the northern backcountry destinations.
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Area Map
This second map provides a broader view of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, including the protected area between the Utah border, Page, Jacob Lake and Bitter Springs. Google Maps may place the national monument marker well away from the southern Vermilion Cliffs escarpment marker. Neither marker identifies a universal entrance or a suitable driving route to every attraction within the monument.
For The Wave, White Pocket and other northern backcountry destinations, plan your route using the appropriate trailhead or access road rather than navigating to the monument's general map pin. U.S. Highway 89 serves the northern approach, while U.S. Highway 89A provides scenic access along the southern cliffs.
Getting To Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
There is no single entrance road or entrance station for Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Visitors should first determine whether they want to see the southern Vermilion Cliffs escarpment or explore the monument's northern backcountry. U.S. Highway 89A offers paved access to scenic views of the cliffs near Marble Canyon, while U.S. Highway 89 connects Page and Kanab with northern access roads leading toward The Wave, White Pocket and other Paria Plateau destinations.
House Rock Valley Road, also designated BLM 1065, is one of the principal unpaved routes into the monument. Although it is considered a maintained dirt road, BLM warns that it can become impassable when wet.
Directions From Page Arizona
From Page, take U.S. Highway 89 west toward the Paria Contact Station and House Rock Valley Road for access to the northern portion of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The Paria Contact Station is approximately 30 miles west of Page. This approach is appropriate for planning trips toward The Wave, White Pocket and other northern backcountry destinations, although additional driving and hiking are required.
To see the southern Vermilion Cliffs escarpment, travel south from Page to the U.S. Highway 89A junction at Bitter Springs. Follow Highway 89A toward Navajo Bridge and Marble Canyon, where the cliffs rise prominently above the surrounding landscape. This scenic route does not provide direct access to The Wave or White Pocket.
Directions From Flagstaff Arizona
From Flagstaff, travel north on U.S. Highway 89 toward Page. To visit the southern Vermilion Cliffs escarpment near Marble Canyon, turn west onto U.S. Highway 89A at Bitter Springs. For northern monument destinations such as The Wave or White Pocket, remain on U.S. Highway 89 toward Page and continue to the appropriate backcountry access road. The two destinations require different routes.
Directions From Kanab Utah
From Kanab, travel east on U.S. Highway 89 toward the Paria Contact Station and House Rock Valley Road for access to the northern portion of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The Paria Contact Station is approximately 43 miles east of Kanab. This is the general approach for visitors planning trips toward The Wave, White Pocket and other northern backcountry destinations.
For scenic views of the southern Vermilion Cliffs escarpment, take U.S. Highway 89A through Fredonia and Jacob Lake toward Marble Canyon. This route follows the southern side of the monument and is different from the northern access route used for The Wave and White Pocket.
Directions To White Pocket
White Pocket is one of the most remote destinations within Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Access begins from House Rock Valley Road, also known as BLM 1065, followed by a network of unmaintained sandy backcountry roads leading onto the Paria Plateau.
BLM requires a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle for the route to White Pocket. Roads include deep sand, slick clay and uneven rock, and conditions change frequently. Vehicles can become stuck even during dry weather, while rain or snow can make sections impassable.
Travelers without four-wheel-drive experience or an appropriately equipped vehicle should strongly consider using a permitted guide rather than attempting the route independently.
Vermilion Cliffs Road & Vehicle Conditions
Road conditions throughout Vermilion Cliffs National Monument vary considerably by location and weather. House Rock Valley Road is an unpaved route that may be passable in dry conditions but can become impassable after rain or snow. Remote routes leading to White Pocket and other Paria Plateau destinations include deep sand, rocky surfaces and sections requiring high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Before traveling, check current conditions with the Bureau of Land Management. Do not rely solely on GPS navigation or assume a road is passable because it appears on a map. Travelers unfamiliar with deep-sand driving should consider using an experienced backcountry guide.
The Wave & Coyote Buttes North Access
The Wave is located within Coyote Buttes North in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. A permit is required for every visitor, and there are no developed hiking trails or facilities within the permit area.
The suggested route to The Wave is approximately 6.4 miles round trip across rugged wilderness terrain where route-finding skills are necessary. Visitors should not treat the hike as a maintained trail.
Permits are issued through two systems: an Advance Lottery for visitors planning about four months ahead and a Daily Lottery for visitors already within the designated geographic application area. The Daily Lottery uses a location-enabled mobile device and Recreation.gov rather than the former in-person walk-in lottery.
Things To Do Near Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
- Visit White Pocket: Explore colorful, swirling sandstone formations on the remote Paria Plateau within Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.
- See Horseshoe Bend: Visit the famous Colorado River overlook near Page Arizona.
- Explore Lake Powell: Enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, and sightseeing at Lake Powell.
- Drive Through Marble Canyon: Discover scenic canyon views and historic Navajo Bridge crossings near Marble Canyon.
- Tour Antelope Canyon: Visit one of Arizona’s most photographed slot canyons near Page.
Key Vermilion Cliffs Access Distances
- Page to Paria Contact Station: Approximately 30 miles west on U.S. Highway 89
- Kanab to Paria Contact Station: Approximately 43 miles east on U.S. Highway 89
- Page to House Rock Valley Road: Approximately 36 miles west on U.S. Highway 89 to the northern road junction
- Kanab to House Rock Valley Road: Approximately 38 miles east on U.S. Highway 89 to the northern road junction
- Jacob Lake to south end of House Rock Valley Road: Approximately 13.5 miles east on U.S. Highway 89A
Because Vermilion Cliffs National Monument covers a very large area, total driving distance from Phoenix, Flagstaff, Sedona or other Arizona cities depends on whether your final destination is Marble Canyon, The Wave, White Pocket, Paria Canyon or another backcountry access point.
Vermilion Cliffs Visitor & Driving Tips
- Carry substantially more drinking water than you expect to use, especially during warm weather.
- Bring extra food, gasoline and emergency supplies because services are extremely limited.
- Carry a full-size spare tire and the tools needed to change it.
- Download or carry paper maps because cell service is unreliable throughout much of the monument.
- Never enter a flooded or muddy backcountry road simply because your vehicle has four-wheel drive.
- Check the weather carefully for flash-flood risk before entering washes, slot canyons or Paria Canyon.
- Use a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle for White Pocket and other difficult Paria Plateau routes.
- Confirm permit requirements before entering Coyote Buttes or Paria Canyon.
- Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Do not depend on the general monument GPS coordinates to reach individual backcountry destinations.
- Google Maps may show different locations for Vermilion Cliffs and Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Confirm the exact viewpoint, trailhead or access road before leaving, because the two map markers can lead to substantially different destinations.
Vermilion Cliffs Permit Information
The Wave - Coyote Buttes North
A permit is required for every visitor entering Coyote Buttes North, including The Wave. Permits are issued through an Advance Lottery approximately four months ahead and a Daily Lottery using Recreation.gov and a mobile geofence system for visitors who are already in the surrounding region.
Coyote Buttes South
Coyote Buttes South requires its own separate permit. Access roads contain deep sand and sharp rock, and BLM states that high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles are required for the principal access points.
Paria Canyon
Paria Canyon requires permits for both day and overnight use. Day-use permits can be obtained through trailhead QR-code systems or Recreation.gov, while overnight trips require an advance permit and are subject to daily visitor limits.
Permit systems, fees and procedures can change. Always confirm current requirements with the Bureau of Land Management or Recreation.gov before finalizing travel plans.
Vermilion Cliffs Maps, Permits & Visitor Information
- BLM Vermilion Cliffs National Monument — Official monument information, safety, maps and access guidance.
- Official BLM Vermilion Cliffs Map — Downloadable monument and access map.
- The Wave - Coyote Buttes North Permits — Current Advance and Daily Lottery information.
- Paria Canyon Permits — Day-use and overnight permit information.
- Vermilion Cliffs Photos — Scenic photographs of the monument.
- Vermilion Cliffs Videos — Additional scenery and travel videos.
BLM Arizona Strip Field Office
4001 East Aviator Drive
St. George, UT 84790
435-688-3200
Related Lake Powell-Page Interest
Lake Powell-Page
Vermilion Cliffs Photos
Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Videos
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument FAQ
Where Is Vermilion Cliffs National Monument?
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is located in northern Arizona along the Utah border between the Page, Marble Canyon and Kanab gateway areas.
How Do You Get To Vermilion Cliffs National Monument?
U.S. Highway 89 and U.S. Highway 89A provide the main paved approaches. Actual backcountry access depends on whether you are visiting White Pocket, The Wave, Paria Canyon, Marble Canyon or another destination.
Are Vermilion Cliffs and Vermilion Cliffs National Monument the Same Place?
The Vermilion Cliffs are the dramatic sandstone escarpment along the southern portion of the much larger Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Google Maps may display separate markers for the cliffs and the national monument, even though they are geographically related. The southern cliffs are generally approached using U.S. Highway 89A, while northern destinations such as The Wave and White Pocket are approached using U.S. Highway 89 and designated backcountry access roads.
Why Does Google Maps Show Two Different Vermilion Cliffs Locations?
Google Maps may identify the Vermilion Cliffs escarpment and Vermilion Cliffs National Monument as separate geographic destinations. The cliffs are a specific landscape feature, while the national monument covers a much larger protected area. Neither general location marker should be used as the final navigation destination for remote attractions such as The Wave or White Pocket. Use the appropriate trailhead or access-road location instead.
Are There Paved Roads Inside Vermilion Cliffs National Monument?
No. BLM states that there are no paved roads inside the monument. House Rock Valley Road is maintained dirt but may become impassable when wet, and many other routes require high-clearance four-wheel drive.
Do You Need Four-Wheel Drive At Vermilion Cliffs?
It depends on the destination. A high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle is required for White Pocket and many remote Paria Plateau roads, while some roadside viewpoints along Highway 89A can be reached with a standard passenger vehicle.
Do You Need A Permit For The Wave?
Yes. Every visitor entering Coyote Buttes North, including The Wave, must have a permit obtained through either the Advance Lottery or Daily Lottery.
How Does The Wave Daily Lottery Work?
The former in-person walk-in lottery has been replaced by a mobile geofence system. Applicants must enter through Recreation.gov using a location-enabled mobile device while within the designated application area.
Do You Need A Permit For White Pocket?
White Pocket is separate from The Wave permit area. Visitors should still check current BLM rules and road conditions before traveling because access is remote and requires an appropriate four-wheel-drive vehicle.
How Far Is The Paria Contact Station From Page Arizona?
The Paria Contact Station is approximately 30 miles west of Page on U.S. Highway 89.
Is There Cell Phone Service At Vermilion Cliffs?
Cell service is unreliable or unavailable across much of the monument. Visitors should carry maps and emergency supplies rather than depending entirely on a phone for navigation or assistance.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Vermilion Cliffs National Monument?
Spring and fall generally offer the most comfortable temperatures for hiking and photography. Summer can be dangerously hot, while winter storms may create snow, mud and difficult backcountry road conditions.
