Bodacious buttes

Striking sedimentary streaks paint pictures of bygone eons in this far-flung red-rock paradise. Arizona's 280,000-acre Vermilion Cliffs National Monument includes several protected wilderness sites, including the Coyote Buttes seen here. From midair it's a feast for the eyes, but the pièce de résistance is tucked deep in the monument's cuts and canyons: A whorled sandstone formation known as 'The Wave' lies at the end of a rugged route amid the striped stone stacks. Come prepared, though—you'll want plenty of water and supplies for the mostly trail-free route, as well as a hiking permit (only a small number are offered via a daily lottery).