The Vermilion Cliffs are a 60-kilometre escarpment of red and orange sandstone rising up to 600 metres above the plateau, forming part of the Grand Staircase geological formation. The cliffs and the surrounding monument protect some of the most dramatic erosional landscapes in the Southwest, including The Wave — a series of undulating sandstone formations with colours ranging from cream to deep red. The Wave requires a permit, drawn by lottery months in advance through Recreation.gov.
The cliffs are visible from US-89A south of Page, and the drive along the base of the escarpment is extraordinary. A high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for the dirt roads that access the monument's interior. Check with the BLM field office in Kanab, Utah for current road conditions and permit requirements.