As the saying goes, “it wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when.’” In this case, the “when” was the summer of 2009, when the powers-that-be at Microsoft thought it would be a fabulous idea to include a photo of The Wave in Paria Canyon, Arizona on the desktop wallpaper of Windows 7.[1] From that moment on, what had until then been a relatively well-kept secret among hikers and backpackers was catapulted to “Arizona Bucket List” status, and suddenly everybody and his brother wanted to go there. Does that include you? Be ready to jump through some hoops, but be ready to experience a place like no other on Earth, and an adventure you’ll never forget!
The Wave is located in the Coyote Buttes North Special Management Area of the Paria Canyon/Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area in Northern Arizona. Areas with this designation are considered ecologically sensitive and vulnerable to irreparable damage if access to them is not strictly controlled. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, for years, only 20 lucky people per day were allowed to visit Coyote Buttes North and The Wave in Arizona. In February 2021, the BLM approved an increase in the daily hiker quota to 64 people, or 16 groups, whichever comes first. In order to be included in that number, you must obtain a permit. This can be done one of two ways:
1. Apply in advance for the online Paria Canyon permit lottery through Recreation.gov website. Forty-eight (48) spots per day are given out in this manner. You can – and should – apply up to four (4) months in advance for your desired date. Applications are taken for the entire calendar month for the month four (4) months ahead. If, for example, you wish to hike to The Wave in October (the 10th month on the calendar), you would need to apply online anytime during the month of June (the 6th month on the calendar). The winners of the lottery would then be drawn on the 1st day of July, etc.
For more information regarding the Wave go to www.thewaveaz.com
There is a $9.00 non-refundable fee to apply for the online lottery. You may choose three (3) different dates to hike The Wave and apply for up to six (6) people. Applicants are notified of their results in the lottery by e-mail on the first day of the month following the application period. If, for some reason, you are not notified by the second day of the month, please contact the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument Permit Desk. Be sure to check your spam/junk mail folder first, though. Only one application may be submitted per month. Please do not try to “game the system” by submitting more than one application per month. You will be found out and both applications will be forfeited.
2. Obtain an in-person permit through a daily virtual lottery. Read a first-hand account from someone who hiked The Wave on a walk-in permit.
64 people a day are allowed to hike to Coyote Buttes North and The Wave. 48 will have secured their permits ahead of time by online lottery; the remaining 16 hiking slots can be acquired by in-person/walk-in permit. **Effective March 2022, the lottery for last-minute hiking permits to the Wave will transition to an app-based system, administered by Recreation.gov, whereby visitors may apply for a permit to hike the Wave from their cell phone or other mobile device two days prior to when they wish to hike. Entries will be monitored through a geofence system which limits participation to those physically present within a designated radius around the communities of Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT. Geofence Perimeter Map Successful applicants would then be notified by text to pick up their permits and attend a mandatory safety briefing at the Page-Lake Powell Tourism Hub in Page, AZ, or the Kane County Visitor Center & Office of Tourism in Kanab, UT. Fact Sheet for New Mobile-Based Wave Permit Lottery
General Notes:
For more information regarding the Wave go to www.thewaveaz.com
218 Responses
Wanting to hike the wave next year😊 When? It’s all in the hands of the permit🥴…. wish Me luck internet, I am even trying the luck of the Irish ☘️(No Irish)
Hi Kathy,
We will certainly cross our fingers and toes for you in your quest to hike The Wave! In the very likely event that you are not chosen for a permit, you might start making alternate plans to see other cool places in the area that don’t require a permit, but are still hard enough to get to that a guide service comes highly recommended. White Pocket is one of our favorites! There are several licensed guide services in Page, AZ, and Kanab, UT, that cover White Pocket and other scenic areas. We are personally acquainted with Paria Outpost & Outfitters.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
I would want a guide and how is the weather in November?
Hi Judy,
Before you go about hiring a guide to take you to The Wave, first order of business is to get a hiking permit by following the instructions on this page.
As for November weather, right now, Northern Arizona is experiencing varying degrees of snow and winter weather. If you’re looking to visit The Wave next November, you could experience conditions ranging from sunny and brisk to blizzard-like conditions. Of course, it’s too soon to call for next year, but monitor this site for weather conditions in Page, AZ, the nearest gateway community.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Hi! I’m traveling with my husband in june, we’ll stay in page and maybe we can take one day to the wave (if we are that lucky, we have a flexible schedule). My question is, if I apply online and get the permits do i have to be there to sign something or can i just get the permits the same day of the planned trip?? Thanks!
Hi JCN!
If you are successful in obtaining a spot to hike The Wave via the online lottery, the actual permit will be sent to you in the mail. If you try for a permit via the walk-in lottery, which occurs the day PRIOR to when you wish to hike, you would fill out the necessary paperwork then.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Hi, this is a great resource. If I were to be lucky enough to get a permit for party of 2 through the online lottery and the other person couldn’t make it after all four months later, is there a process to substitute someone else’s name before hike day? I don’t want to risk getting caught if I go forward with the hike and the permit name doesn’t match. Thanks
Hey Lori,
This is a great question!
Wave permits are issued under the name of the applicant. You are not required to provide the names of your party members at the time you apply for the lottery, so if someone drops out of your group in the interim between the lottery and your actual hike date, you’re welcome to invite whoever you wish to take their place.
Good luck – you’ll need it, as I’m sure you’re aware 😉
Safe travels, and Happy Holidays,
Alley 🙂
Can my husband and I both apply for permits during the same month but with different group size?
Hi Debbie,
I wouldn’t advise it. Since you assumedly have the same address, you’d probably get found out and forfeit both your applications. Better to just play by the rules, and start making alternate touring plans for the very likely scenario that your application is not chosen in the on-line or walk-in lottery. White Pocket or Sidestep Canyon are beautiful areas with unique rock formations that don’t require a permit, but advise hiring a local guide service with high-clearance 4WD vehicles to navigate their often-challenging access roads.
Good luck, safe travels, and Happy Holidays!
Alley 🙂
Hello,
Is it too late to apply for December 2019? Is there any way to apply?
Thanks
Hi Babak,
The online lottery for December Coyote Buttes North/Wave hiking permits took place in August. The only possibility now is to try your hand at the walk-in lottery, held daily at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitors Center in Kanab. During the winter months, weekend hiking permits are drawn on Fridays.
In the very likely event you are not chosen for a walk-in permit either, you might still be able to see The Wave and a ton of other amazing scenery by flying over it. Fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters can be chartered out of Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT. For more information, visit our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com and read “So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?”
If flying is not an option, there are many other areas of the Vermilion Cliffs/Paria Canyon Wilderness Area that are just as beautiful, but don’t require a permit to visit. We are partial to White Pocket, but strongly recommend going with a licensed guide service since the road there is rather tricky to navigate.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hello
Can I apply in October for December or it has to be only August? Thank you
Hi Anna,
The online lottery process for December Wave permits takes place in August. On the rare occasions that permits are cancelled or returned prior to December, the BLM will post these on their calendar, but again, that doesn’t happen often. Your best bet will be to try your hand at the walk-in lottery at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitors Center in Kanab. Walk-in permits are issued the day before you wish to hike, so be sure to arrange lodging in Kanab, UT, or Page, AZ, for both the day you apply for the walk-in permit and the following day in case your party is chosen to hike The Wave.
In the very likely event that you are unable to hike The Wave, there might still be a way you can see it, and that is to fly over it. Airplanes and helicopters can be chartered out of Page, AZ, or Kanab, UT. Neither aircraft will land in the Coyote Buttes area, and the trip will be pricey, but you’ll see a lot of amazing scenery in addition to The Wave.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
I would like to apply for hiking the Wave for a group of two people=my husband and I for December 6, 2019. Paula Puls and Ronnie Puls. Thank you. How do I pay the $7.00 application fee?
Hello Paula & Ronnie,
I’m sorry, but you cannot apply for a Wave hiking permit through this site. You must go to the Bureau of Land Management’s site, which you can access via this link. For your information, there are only two more days left to apply for December permits, so you must act quickly. Otherwise, you’ll need to try your luck at the walk-in lottery in Kanab, UT, the day before you wish to hike.
Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi, if i cant get permit to the Wave woudl be alternative that has similar features?
Hi Rahim,
This is a great question! There are indeed several alternate areas to The Wave that are just as beautiful, yet require no permit.
The Valley of Fire State Park near Las Vegas, NV, has a feature called the “Fire Wave.” It is located an easy 1-hour drive Northeast of Las Vegas and has a nice loop drive through it.
Yant Flat, aka the Candy Cliffs, near St. George, UT, also boasts several “Wave-like” rock formations. It is a bit of a hike to get there, ~3.5 miles, and is considered moderately strenuous. AllTrails.com: Yant Flat
The “New” Wave near Page, AZ, aka the Beehives, is a short hike from US89 just across from the turnoff to the Lake Powell Resort complex
White Pocket — doesn’t look like The Wave per se, but is still a stunning area to visit, no permit required. However, the road into the area is very sandy, which is why we recommend going with a licensed guide for optimal safety and enjoyment. For a full list of licensed guide services, visit TheWaveAZ.com: Hire A Guide
Hope that helps! Good luck and safe travels,
Alley 🙂
Hi, Can you tell me what months are the least busy for application for the Wave permits? Since I have a flexible schedule, does it help my chances to not specify a specific date on my permit request or is it required to put a date(s)? If I don’t get selected for a Wave permit, can I continue to apply for each subsequent month? When applying for the permit, are the names required at this time? I may not have the names of all the people in my party until the date is selected. I’m hoping I can complete the names at that time. Thanks!
Hey Jennie,
We feel your pain on how frustrating the Wave Permit process can be!
Having a flexible schedule definitely works in your favor. The times of year that are least competitive for permit applications are when the weather is worst: July-August and January-February. That means being prepared for weather that’s really, really hot, or really, really, cold. Still, you won’t be alone in trying to work this strategy to your favor. If you are not chosen for the first month you apply, you are welcome to continue applying for subsequent months for as long as you want. You are required to submit 3 dates that you can hike at the time you apply, but you are not required to submit all the names of your hiking companions at that point in time.
Best of luck to you, and in the very likely event you are never selected to hike The Wave, you might consider flying over it. That will be pricey, no doubt about that, plus touring aircraft cannot land at The Wave, but in addition to The Wave, you’ll see a lot of amazing scenery you might not get a chance to otherwise! For more information, check out this article on our companion site, TheWaveAZ.com: “So You Didn’t Get A Wave Permit – Now What?”
Take care and happy hiking!
Alley 🙂
Hi,
I appreciated= your great job to advise us the great tips.
I have one question about lower and upper Antelope Canyon tour.
I think I have read your comments, but could not locate one.
If we have to choose one between upper and lower, which one do you recommend?
I heard different tour company charges different amount for the same upper or lower Canyon tour, is it true?
Then, do you suggest which touring company is better for the money spent?
Thank you again, John
Hey again, John,
If you and your traveling party are in relatively good shape physically, then I recommend either Lower Antelope Canyon or Antelope Canyon X. These are longer slots than Upper, and have a few stairs and ladders to navigate. As for pricing, the tour companies try to keep their rates competitive with one another, so any variance is bound to be slight. If you do opt for Lower Antelope Canyon, there are two tour companies that manage that slot canyon: Dixie Ellis and Ken’s. As to which one you choose to tour with, honestly, it depends largely on who has availability at a time slot that works with your schedule. For the “bundles,” such as the Antelope Lower Canyon + Boat Tour or Lower Antelope + Navajo Village Tour, we work with Ken’s, but if you’re not interested in doing any of the combination tours, again, book your tour with whichever operator has availability.
For Canyon X, there’s only one operator, Ta’adidi’in Tours
Hope that helps.
Alley 🙂