Beehive Trail Loop & New Wave

Tucked just off Highway 89 near Page, Arizona, the Beehive Trail is one of the best-kept secrets in the slot canyon country south of the Utah border. The short loop weaves through a surreal landscape of beehive-shaped sandstone formations — perfectly rounded, striped domes that look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book — and offers easy access to the New Wave, a stunning Wave-like formation that requires no permit lottery to visit.

For anyone who didn't win the highly competitive Wave permit lottery at Coyote Buttes North, the New Wave is the answer: similar swirling sandstone, similar Instagram-worthy patterns, zero permit required.

The Trail

The Beehive Trail is a short, easy loop with minimal elevation gain — but the terrain is sandy and exposed, so it can feel harder than the distance suggests in summer heat.

• Distance: ~2 miles (loop)
• Elevation gain: Minimal
• Difficulty: Easy (terrain-wise) but watch for sand and heat
• Surface: Sand and sandstone slickrock
• Permit: Not required — free BLM access

The trail winds between the namesake beehive domes, with side spurs leading to several photogenic spots. Navigation can be a little tricky — there are multiple use trails and no signage — so download an offline map (Gaia, AllTrails) before going.

The New Wave

The trail's headline feature is the New Wave (sometimes called the "Second Wave" or "Other Wave") — a swirling, striated sandstone formation with the same orange, pink, and white bands that make The Wave famous, on a smaller but equally striking scale.

Unlike The Wave at Coyote Buttes North, which requires winning a competitive daily permit lottery through the BLM (only 64 people allowed per day), the New Wave sits on accessible BLM land with no permits, no fees, and no crowds.

Photo tip: Mid-morning and late afternoon light brings out the strongest color contrast in the rock. Midday flattens it out.

Other Highlights

Beyond the New Wave, the loop passes:

• Beehive sandstone domes — the perfectly rounded, layered formations the trail is named for. Easily climbable for views and photos
• Slot-style narrows — short, photogenic sandstone passages between the beehives
• Panoramic views of the Vermilion Cliffs and the broader Glen Canyon landscape
• Petrified sand dunes — the cross-bedded sandstone is a fascinating look at ancient dune systems frozen in stone

Permits & Regulations

• No permit required for the Beehive Trail or New Wave — this is open BLM land
• The Wave (Coyote Buttes North) is a separate hike that does require a permit via recreation.gov — daily lottery, very competitive
• White Pocket is another nearby permit-free Wave alternative, but requires 4WD and a long sandy drive
• Antelope Canyon (Upper and Lower) is just minutes away and does require a guided tour through the Navajo Nation
• Leave No Trace — the sandstone is fragile and footprints in cryptobiotic crust can last decades

Practical Info

• Trailhead: Off Highway 89 near Page, AZ — search "Beehives Trailhead" or "New Wave Trailhead" on Gaia/AllTrails
• Parking: Small pullout, no facilities
• Best season: October–April. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F and the exposed sandstone has zero shade — genuinely dangerous in midday heat
• Time required: 1.5–2.5 hours including photo stops
• Dogs: Permitted on leash
• Nearby stops:
  • Horseshoe Bend (~10 min) — iconic Colorado River overlook
  • Antelope Canyon (~10 min) — guided slot canyon tours
  • Lake Powell (~15 min) — boating, kayaking
  • Glen Canyon Dam (~10 min)

What to Bring

• At least 2 liters of water per person — there's no shade and no water on the trail
• Sun protection — hat, sunscreen, sunglasses are non-negotiable
• Sturdy shoes with good grip for slickrock
• GPS or offline map — the route is unmarked and easy to miss in the open desert