Guides/Overland routes/Arizona
Overland route32 midifficulty: moderate

House Rock Valley Road

RegionArizonaAlso inUtahAgencyBureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
House Rock Valley Road — overland route near Kanab, Utah, Arizona
Photo by GerthMichael via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
32mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance 4WD or AWD with off-road tires. The road's clay surface becomes impassable when wet, even to 4WD vehicles.
Best months
Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Cell coverage
None on the road
Take action
Plan in Epic PlansOpen in Google MapsOfficial site

House Rock Valley Road is a 32-mile dirt connector running between US Highway 89 east of Kanab, Utah and US Highway 89A near Jacob Lake, Arizona, crossing the eastern edge of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and serving as the access road for The Wave (Coyote Buttes North), Coyote Buttes South, Buckskin Gulch, and the Wirepass trailhead. The road straddles the Arizona-Utah border, with the Stateline Campground at the boundary.

The surface is unmaintained clay and sand, drivable to high-clearance vehicles in dry weather but impassable to 4WD when wet. The clay binder turns to a slick muck after rain and traps vehicles for days. There are no services on the route. Most travelers use the road to reach the Wirepass trailhead, which is the entry point for The Wave permit holders.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Mud. Clay surface becomes impassable when wet. Vehicles get stranded for days.
  • Heat. Summer temperatures top 100°F with no shade or water.
  • Sand traps. Multiple sandy sections, especially toward the southern end.
  • No cell coverage. Carry an offline map and a satellite messenger for solo travel.
  • Permit checks. BLM rangers verify Wave permits at the Wirepass trailhead.
  • Cryptobiotic soil. Driving off-route damages soil that takes decades to recover.
  • Tire damage. Rocky sections puncture sidewalls.

Location

32 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 37.073, -112.020

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyBureau of Land Management
Nearest townKanab, Utah
Websitewww.blm.gov/visit/coyote-buttes-vermilion-cliffs-national-monument
ClosedJul, Aug, Dec, Jan, Feb
Approx. location37.073, -112.020

Getting there

Directions

Northern access (Kanab area). From Kanab, drive 35 miles east on US-89. The House Rock Valley Road turnoff is between mileposts 25 and 26 on US-89.

Southern access (Jacob Lake area). From Jacob Lake, drive northwest on US-89A toward Page. The southern terminus of House Rock Valley Road branches north off US-89A.

Approximate northern access coordinates (Stateline area): 37.073° N, -112.020° W.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

House Rock Valley Road sits in the Vermilion Cliffs region, a 280,000-acre national monument straddling the Arizona-Utah border. Kanab, Utah is the closest service town on the northern end (US-89). Jacob Lake, Arizona on the southern end (US-89A) is a small junction with a lodge and gas. The road accesses some of the most-photographed desert landscapes in the Colorado Plateau, including The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) — a sandstone formation visible to a maximum of 64 permitted hikers per day.

Trail Overview

The northern access from US-89 is between mileposts 25 and 26. The road runs south, crosses the Paria River, and enters Arizona at the Stateline Campground. From there it continues south past the Wirepass trailhead, the Buckskin Gulch trailhead, and the Coyote Buttes South access (Lone Tree Reservoir spur), eventually meeting US-89A near Jacob Lake.

Driving the full 32 miles takes about an hour in dry conditions. Most travelers stop at one of the trailheads rather than running the full route. The road's character is steady — wide, clay-based dirt — but heavy rain transforms it into impassable mud within minutes.

Points of Interest

  • The Wave (Coyote Buttes North). Famous wave-shaped sandstone formation. Permits required (lottery system, 64 hikers per day).
  • Wirepass trailhead. Entry point for The Wave hike.
  • Buckskin Gulch. Among the longest slot canyons in the world (15+ miles). Trailhead off House Rock Valley Road.
  • Coyote Buttes South. A 4WD-accessible alternative to The Wave with similar formations and permits.
  • Stateline Campground. Free BLM campground at the Arizona-Utah border with vault toilets and no fees.
  • White Pocket access road. A separate spur off House Rock Valley Road requiring serious 4WD and sand-capable tires.

Where to Camp

Stateline Campground is free with vault toilets and a 14-day stay limit. Dispersed camping is allowed elsewhere on the BLM portions of the road. Kanab has commercial RV parks and lodging. Jacob Lake has a small commercial campground.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Visit spring or fall. Summer temperatures top 100°F; winter brings snow and prolonged mud.
  • Check the forecast. Even a light rain shuts the road down for a day or two.
  • Carry full water and a sand-recovery kit. Sandy sections trap unprepared vehicles.
  • The Wave permits go on a lottery — apply months in advance via recreation.gov.
  • White Pocket is a separate access requiring serious 4WD; do not attempt with a stock SUV.
  • Cell service is absent on the road. Carry an offline map.
  • Stay on designated routes. Off-road driving in Vermilion Cliffs damages cryptobiotic soil.
  • Contact the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument BLM at 435-688-3200 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is House Rock Valley Road?
House Rock Valley Road is rated moderate. The route runs 32 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for House Rock Valley Road?
High-clearance 4WD or AWD with off-road tires. The road's clay surface becomes impassable when wet, even to 4WD vehicles.
When is the best time to visit House Rock Valley Road?
The best months are Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov. Avoid Jul, Aug, Dec, Jan, Feb.
Is there cell service at House Rock Valley Road?
None on the road