Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

Date: February 26, 2011
Location: northern Arizona

The Vermilion Cliffs at left and the Colorado River from the Navajo Bridge

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument was established in 2000 on BLM land to protect the Paria Plateau, Coyote Buttes, Paria Canyon, and Vermilion Cliffs.  The monument is a part of the Grand Circle and located between the Grand Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Zion National Park.  The Vermilion Cliffs are seen from U.S. highway 89A, and the road travels along the base of the cliffs for several miles after crossing the Colorado River at the Navajo Bridge.

The Navajo Bridge and Vermilion Cliffs

I did not get a chance to visit the monument other than driving by it on a rainy/snowy February day.  The most popular part of the monument is the formation known as the Wave in the Coyote Buttes section.  A permit is required to visit the Wave, and only a select number are available.

The Wave (Source: Lobineau)

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