Hiking The Wave: Everything You Need To Know About How To Get A Permit, Preparation, and The Hike

Hiking The Wave is a bucket-list destination for people worldwide. Learn how to get a permit to hike The Wave, tips to maximize your odds, how to prepare, get the most from your hike, and more with our insider tips!

Nature lovers from all over the world come to explore the Paria Canyon-Vermillion National Cliffs Wilderness. The area stretches over 112,000 acres with world-famous geological sandstone formations. The beauty and unique landscape of this area is not to be downplayed. A geological sandstone formation known as “The Wave” awaits visitors in the section of Coyote Buttes North. Named for its wave-like patterns, its exceptional beauty is unmatched. Upon entering The Wave, you will be greeted with vibrant colors and intricate rock formations as you explore this natural wonder. And believe me, it lives up to the hype!

What also makes this place so special is that only 64 people are permitted to hike there per day. Permits for hiking The Wave are granted to 48 people through the online lottery, and the remaining 16 are granted access if they win the daily lottery in person.

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In this post, I’ll help you prepare by covering these topics for successfully hiking The Wave:

1. When to apply for permits. Based on your travel dates, you must plan your application and apply months in advance.
2. How to maximize your odds. Time of year, flexibility with dates, and traveling to the surrounding area all increase your chances of scoring a permit.
3. Where to apply for a permit. There are two ways to apply. Both must be done online, but there are different application requirements.
4. How to get to The Wave Hike Arizona. Driving directions and vehicle recommendations.
5. What to expect when hiking The Wave. Trail stats, conditions, terrain, and more. 
6. Safety tips. I’ll include our recommended GPS, tour guide options, and hazards to be aware of. 
7. What to bring when hiking The Wave. Our packing list for hitting the trail!

We’ve applied three times to hike The Wave, and we were finally successful on our third attempt! I still remember sitting in the passenger seat on October 1st, checking my e-mail while Scott was driving and saying: “We’re going to Utah and Arizona in January!” (He had no idea I even applied for a permit) Luckily, you have time in between your application, notification, and date of entry to plan and prepare. Here is everything you need to know about getting a permit, preparing for your trip, and hiking The Wave.

*Important Note: Hiking The Wave in Utah and the Arizona Wave are the same hike. The hike begins in Utah and crosses into Arizona. While Wire Pass Trailhead is in Utah, The Wave is in Coyote Buttes, Arizona.

How To Apply for The Wave Permit

There are two ways to apply to hike The Wave: an advanced lottery that can be done from anywhere and a daily lottery that you must do in or in an area close to Kanab, Utah.

Advanced Application for The Wave:

• First, you must create an account on recreation.gov to apply. 
• Register for the open lottery for Coyote Buttes North (The Wave).
• Apply four months ahead of time for your desired date.
• Only one application per month can be submitted.
• You can apply any day of the month for up to three trip dates.
• If you win, you will be notified on the first of the next month. 
• About a month before your permit date, you will receive the physical permit by mail. 
• You must log in to your recreation.gov account to accept your permit.
• An e-mail is not your permit and will not grant you access to Coyote Buttes North. 
• Price: The individual application fee is $9.

Application Example: If you plan on hiking The Wave in January, apply in September. Select dates like January 5th, 6th, and 7th. If you win the permit lottery, you will receive an e-mail on October 1st notifying you which day out of the three you will be granted day-use access. 

Daily Lottery for Hiking The Wave:

• To apply, download the Recreation.gov app and create an account. This is required!
• You must be within the Geofence perimeter surrounding Kanab, Utah
• You must apply two days before your desired day to hike.
• Applications can be submitted between 6 am and 6 pm. 
• Selected winners are notified around 7:15 pm.
• You will have until 8 am the following morning to claim your permit
• Permit holders are required to attend a safety briefing at 8:30 am the following day (the day after you claim your permit and the day before your hike)

*Important Note: missing your deadline to accept your lottery success will void your permit. 

*Groups are allowed up to a maximum of 6 people per group. Each individual must hold their own permit. Dogs are allowed, but they must be included on the permit, and they require an additional fee of $7. The permit is for day use only.

What to Expect Hiking The Wave

• Distance: 3 miles one way (6.4 miles roundtrip)
• Elevation Gain: 1,233 ft
• Type: out and back
• Length of time: 3-5 hours

The Coyote Buttes North permit grants you access to backcountry wilderness, which contains no developed trails or landmarks. After you get your permit, you will need to attend an orientation at the Kanab Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah, where a ranger reviews the current conditions of the access road and the wilderness area. You will be given a map while the orientation provides an overview of the route. The map includes GPS coordinates and photos with a few points of reference, as it is very easy to get turned around in the desert if it’s unfamiliar territory. 

From the Wire Pass Trailhead parking lot, cross House Rock Valley Road and head north through a wash for less than a mile until you reach a sign indicating that you are entering a permitted area. The hike continues to the right. From here, you can follow the maps you received at your safety briefing the previous day. There are occasional markers for the first mile or so, but they discontinue with no cairns or trail markers to guide you the rest of the way. 

You should be prepared for a moderate to strenuous hike, depending on your fitness level, mobility, and time of year. The hike to and from The Wave can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, depending on your pace and how much time you take to stop and enjoy the scenery and explore the area. 

Once you reach The Wave, an interplay of sunlight and shadow enhances the warm hues of the swirling sandstone. Small pools reflecting the unique rock formations create stunning views of the area and create optimal photo opportunities. Soak in the beauty, and please leave it better than you found it to preserve the beauty of this natural wonder. 

Getting to Wire Pass Trailhead

The hike to reach The Wave begins at the Wire Pass Trailhead, Utah. To get here, you will need to access House Rock Valley Road from Highway Us-89. House Rock Valley Road is an 8-mile dirt road that requires high clearance and 4-wheel drive. During the rainy season, it can become impassable.

Geographic Coordinates: 37.01906892, -112.0247834

Kanab, Utah to Wire Pass Trailhead

• Distance: about 45 miles
• Driving time: 45 minutes to an hour
• Driving directions to parking lot: Drive 37 miles east on Highway US-89. Turn south onto House Rock Valley Road. Drive 8.3 miles to the Wire Pass Trailhead.

Page, Arizona to Wire Pass Trailhead

• Distance: about 45 miles
• Driving time: 1 hour
• Driving directions to parking lot: Drive 36 miles west on Highway US-89. Turn south onto House Rock Valley Road. Drive 8.3 miles to the Wire Pass Trailhead.

Keeping the road conditions in mind, we rented a Jeep camper while planning our trip to Kanab, Utah. Unfortunately, when we arrived, there was an issue with all of the Jeep rentals, so the rental company lent us a campervan. We were strongly advised by a ranger at the Kanab Visitor Center that the campervan would not make it down the road. We ended up booking a guide at the last minute. However, both the campervan and the travel guide enhanced our entire experience! 

Tips for Hiking The Wave

• Bring more water than you think. I recommend packing a gallon of water per person in the warmer months. 
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat. There is no shade the entire hike. Even in winter months, there is no sun coverage.
• Bring plenty of sunscreen. Maximize sun protection in the desert landscape. Don’t underestimate the power of the sun!
• Pack a lunch and snacks. It will be a long day, refuel your body!
• Wear layers and a UPF shirt. There’s no such thing as too much sun protection out here. Once you reach The Wave, the sun may dip behind the rocks, which makes temperatures drop quickly. 
• Wear hiking boots and wool socks. Sneakers will get you there, but a good grip on hiking boots will allow you to explore the area without a slippery spill. It’s a long hike on rough terrain, good hiking socks make a huge difference!
• Pack a camera *drones are not allowed. We use a Sony A6000 mirrorless digital camera with a 16-50mm lens to capture wide angles and our iPhones.
• Bring trekking poles with rubber tips. Trekking poles can help reduce stress on your knees through uneven terrain. But make sure you use rubber tips to protect the fragile sandstone. 
• Bring a GPS and offline communication device. If you don’t hire a tour guide, it is easy to get turned around. There is no cell service, or it is spotty at best. For your safety, we recommend using the Gaia GPS app Premium Version or Garmin inReach Mini to guide you around the area.

Find out what’s always in our hiking pack, and use this list as your packing checklist!

Even as experienced hikers, we strongly suggest utilizing a tour company and getting a tour guide for hiking The Wave. Our last-minute change in a rental vehicle threw us into a frenzy because we knew we couldn’t access the trailhead with the low clearance of our Winnebego Solis van. Booking a tour guide was one of the best hiking experiences we’ve had. We were apprehensive about the cost, but Dreamland Safari Tours delivered beyond our expectations. Our guide, Andrea, was so fun and knowledgeable. Without her, we would have missed out on all the wonders that await hiking beyond The Wave. 

Hiking Beyond The Wave

If you are among the lucky 64 to get a permit for hiking The Wave, make an adventure out of your hike and explore surrounding attractions. Coyote Buttes North has so much more than just The Wave. The best part about utilizing a tour company is the knowledge, experience, and navigation skills of our amazing tour guide, Andrea. Without her, we wouldn’t have explored the lesser-known areas surrounding The Wave, such as:

• The Second Wave
• Fatali’s Boneyard
• The Alcove Sand Dune
• Melody Arch

Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Getting a Permit

1. Apply for off-season months. I applied three times. Twice during peak season, and the third was to visit in January when we finally won. Less competition = better chances. 
2. Be flexible with dates. If you can adjust your plans to accommodate available dates, this may make it easier.
3. Try in person. Even if you have other plans during your stay in Kanab, Utah, you have 2 days before your reservation. Maximize your opportunity for hiking The Wave!
4. Be aware of the time zone. The lottery system is based on Utah time (Mountain Time) and the Navajo Nation. 

The Importance of Hiking Permits for The Wave

The permit system for hiking The Wave is strictly enforced to preserve the natural beauty and fragile geological formations and to prevent overcrowding. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulates access to ensure that the area feels untouched and that hikers can experience its serenity without disturbances from large crowds. The goal is to make this a more intimate experience for visitors while protecting its natural resources. 

While hiking The Wave, our guide politely pointed out to a fellow hiker that their trekking poles damaged the natural elements, leaving scratches in the sandstone from the steel tips. The hiker continued, and we witnessed additional harm to the delicate environment around us. If you need trekking poles for accessibility or to enhance your hiking experience, please do your research and consider using rubber tips. As always, please practice Leave No Trace Principles.

What To Do If You Don’t Win The Wave Permit Daily Lottery

If you made the trip to Kanab, Utah, and were unsuccessful in getting a permit to hike The Wave, you’re still in luck! There are endless opportunities to explore in the area. We have a full Guide to Kanab, Utah, that won’t disappoint!

Persistence is the key to experiencing this amazing hike. Don’t get discouraged, and remember our golden rule: be adventurous.

If you have any more questions about the permit process or the hike, comment below! We’ll lead the way. 

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