Grand Canyon Apps

Apps

GyPSy Guide provides narrated guide tours.

Grand Canyon Just Ahead App narrates information as you drive the South Rim.

Grand Canyon Geology Tour, is a photographic tour of the geology of the Canyon with brief written explanations.

The Wave or Not the Wave

Controversy about Permit Process for Coyote Buttes North and The Wave

Getting a permit to go to the Wave, located in Coyote Buttes North, has become one of the most frustrating travel difficulties in Utah or the southwest for that matter. It can ruin your vacation if you plan it around this sought-after adventure and don’t get a permit. It is not unusual to find over 150 people queuing at 8am for the 10 spots. Imagine how many unhappy people leave there each day. It doesn’t do any good to get mad at the staff at the BLM office. They don’t make the rules or design the lottery.

The wave is an amazing rock formation. But, decide how much time, energy and psychic pain you want to go through to get there given the many, many other great places in the area. If you want to go through the process, be sure to read the website before you go (call (435) 688-3200 for questions). Times, rules, expectations change regularly. There is significant discussion going on right now about changing the process, so don’t be surprised if the lottery has changed or is no longer used by 2020.

Alternatives to the Wave

Coyote Buttes South permits tend to be much easier to get and White Pocket requires no permit. So, are they a worthy substitution? Yes! Coyote Buttes South has much more to see. Granted, you won’t see “The Wave”, but you’ll see a lot more. And, you’ll feel like you have the place to yourself. If you are pressed for time, get a tour so they can take you to all the best places. But, if you have time, it’s a beautiful place to wander. You never know what you’ll discover.

White Pocket offers stunning rock formations as well, many with the swirling color formations that resemble the wave as well as a variety of diverse formations. The drive is long and can be incredibly sandy and is really not recommended for those who are not comfortable with driving a 4X4 in extreme sand, but half of it is over paved road. The hiking around White Pockets is generally easy. Camping is allowed. The popularity of White Pocket is also rising, so get there fast!

Virgin River Gorge

For those travelers who are coming from Vegas and into Utah on I15, heads up! The Arizona Department of Transportation has announced around the clock restrictions through April 2020! Make sure you give yourself enough time to get through what could be long waits.
https://www.azdot.gov/projects/northcentral-district-projects/i-15-virgin-river-bridge-rehabilitation/traffic-alerts