The Wave: A Unique Desert Hike in Arizona

As far as U.S. desert views go, it just doesn’t get much better than The Wave—a colorful sandstone rock formation in Arizona that’s been eroded by the wind to resemble an ocean wave. The site’s exclusivity only adds to its allure. To protect the formation’s fragile nature and provide visitors with a quality experience, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has long capped the number of daily permits.

Permit System Before 2022

Prior to 2022, only 20 permits (one permit per individual) were granted each day. Ten of those were issued in advance through an online lottery, while the remaining ten were available in person at the visitors center in nearby Kanab.

Permit Changes in 2022

In response to demand—wherein sometimes up to 300 people apply for the day’s permits—the BLM increased the available permits to 64, with 48 granted through the advanced lottery and 16 through the daily lottery. Consequently, the in-person lottery that once took place early in the morning was eliminated. Now, hikers can secure permits two days before validity through the recreation.gov mobile app.

Location and Hiking Details

The Wave is located near the Utah-Arizona border in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. This magnificent site can be found in the Coyote Buttes North section of the park and is accessible only by foot. Notably, there is no designated trail leading to The Wave, so visitors should prepare for a six-mile round-trip hike.

How to Enter The Wave Lottery

If you’re planning a trip to Coyote Buttes several months in advance, you might secure a permit to The Wave through the online lottery. The advanced lottery opens four months prior to your hike date. However, if you find yourself in the area unexpectedly or decide to embark on a last-minute adventure, the “daily lottery”—which is held through the app—will be your only option.

Entering the Advanced Lottery

To enter the online lottery for one of 48 permits, you must submit your application on recreation.gov four months ahead. Applications are accepted for one month. For instance, if you’re planning a trip in November, applications must be placed in July. The lottery winners are announced around the first day of the month following the application window.

Entering the Daily Lottery

Permits offered through the daily lottery become available two days in advance and must be secured via the recreation.gov mobile app, as they cannot be obtained on a desktop. Therefore, it’s advisable to download the app beforehand to save on data usage while traveling.

Applicants for the daily lottery must enter between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., with results being announced at 7:15 p.m. the same day. To confirm your permit, you must claim it by 8 a.m. the following morning.

For more information on permits, visit thewave.info.