BLM-authorized guides · Wave & alternatives
Hire a Guide to The Wave
There is no marked trail to The Wave. Every season, permit holders get lost, run out of time, or never see it at all. A guide eliminates that risk — and shows you what most people walk right past.
Our preferred guide: Kanab Tour Company
Over a dozen companies are authorized by the BLM to guide tours into Coyote Buttes North. Kanab Tour Company is our preferred partner — clean late-model high-clearance vehicles, experienced local guides who know the geology and history, and the skills to handle deep mud, sand, and unexpected obstacles.
Note: The Wave Guided Tour requires a valid BLM permit. The Alternate Wave Tour visits spectacular permit-free alternatives for those without a Wave permit.
What a guide shows you that most miss
Most permit holders are so focused on not getting lost that they walk right past the other stunning formations in Coyote Buttes North. An experienced guide leads you to:
All BLM-authorized operators
The following operators hold BLM authorization for tours to Coyote Buttes North and surrounding areas. Before booking, confirm: meeting location, pickup availability from your basecamp (Page or Kanab), and what timezone they operate on.
Kanab Tour Company
435-644-5525
Action Photo Tours
208-789-5899
Dreamland Safari Tours
435-644-5506
Coral Cliffs Tours of Kanab
435-899-0697
ROAM Outdoor Adventures
435-319-0472
Paria Outpost & Outfitters
928-691-1047
Lake Powell Scenic Tours
928-316-6060
Important: Using a guided tour does not exempt you from needing a Wave permit. You still need to win the permit lottery. Some tour companies apply on your behalf as part of a booked excursion, with alternative destinations if a permit is not awarded. Confirm the exact arrangement with your guide before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a guide if I have a Wave permit?+
Not legally — but practically, it's worth considering. The terrain is unmarked, and the difference between a permit holder who "didn't quite find" The Wave and one who saw the Second Wave, the Dinosaur Dance Floor, and the Boneyard is usually a guide.
Can a guide take me to White Pocket if I don't have a Wave permit?+
Yes. White Pocket requires no permit (as of this writing), but the access road is extremely sandy and 4WD-only. Most guides who do Wave tours also offer White Pocket tours — often the better deal for visitors who didn't win a Wave permit. See our White Pocket guide.
Do guides pick up from both Page and Kanab?+
Some do, some don't. Kanab Tour Company is based in Kanab. If you're staging from Page, AZ, confirm pickup availability and meeting location before booking.