The Wave at a glance
The Wave is a sandstone formation in Coyote Buttes North, part of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona. Kanab is the usual base for visitors. This is an independent guide, not an official site. The permits are issued only through recreation.gov and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
You need a day-use permit for Coyote Buttes North. Camping is not allowed in the permit area. Permits for North, South and Paria Canyon are separate and cannot be swapped for each other. A permit does not make the hike safe. The route is unmarked, there is no shade and no water, and the access road is rough.
The two permit lotteries compared
Fees and rules as published for 2026. Applications are only possible through recreation.gov or its app.
| Monthly lottery | Daily lottery | |
|---|---|---|
| When to apply | During a calendar month, for the month four months later | Two days before the hike, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. |
| Draw | On the 1st of the following month at 9 a.m. | – |
| How | Online | Mobile device only, inside a set area (geofence). A desktop or laptop does not work |
| Quota | Up to 48 people or 12 groups | Up to 16 people or 4 groups |
| Application fee | $6, not refundable | $6, not refundable |
| If you win | $7 per person or dog | $7 per person or dog |
| Limits | One application per person per lottery. Accept and pay by the 15th | No refund and no change of date. A missed deadline forfeits the permit |
Whichever limit is reached first counts, people or groups. That caps the total at 64 people a day, but the quota is not always filled. Everyone must be on the permit, including infants. Dogs count too and pay the same $7.
Tours around the Vermilion Cliffs
Guided day trips from Kanab into the Vermilion Cliffs area, with live prices and availability.
How the daily lottery works in practice
There is no walk-in draw any more. Permits used to be drawn in person at the visitor center in Kanab. Today you apply on your phone, and you must be inside the geofence when you do. Make sure the app shows you inside the area when you apply, and plan your stay around that.
The lottery follows Utah and Navajo time, which is Kanab time. During Utah's daylight saving time Kanab is one hour ahead of Page and the rest of Arizona that does not observe it. Set your alarm for the right clock. Winners have to accept and collect the permit within the stated deadlines, otherwise it is forfeited. Follow the instructions on recreation.gov for the exact steps.
Winning is never guaranteed, so treat the daily lottery as a bonus and keep a second plan for each day of your trip.
The hike to The Wave
The suggested route is 6.4 miles (10.3 km) round trip. It is strenuous, there are no built trails and the BLM expects you to find your own way. Permit holders receive a map, a photo guide and GPS points. The route is not marked.
- Heat: From May to September the heat can be life-threatening. There is no drinking water and no shade. In winter, ice is possible.
- Water: A common recommendation is at least 1 gallon (about 3.75 liters) per person per day, more in hot weather. Add a map and compass or GPS, and tell someone when you plan to be back.
- Group: Stay together as a group.
- Rules: No drones, no bicycles and no motor vehicles in the wilderness. Keep dogs under control, do not feed animals and leave rock and cultural objects as you find them.
Getting there: roads and vehicles
The access is by unpaved, little-maintained dirt road. You need high clearance, and after rain or in winter the road can be impassable even for four-wheel drive. Do not drive it without a suitable vehicle.
Conditions change quickly. A BLM road report dated 16 October 2026 listed House Rock Valley Road as high-clearance 2WD, with muddy stretches north of Wire Pass that can be bypassed. That is a snapshot, not a promise for a rental sedan or for the days after new rain. Check the latest report and the forecast before you leave Kanab.
No permit? Your options
The Wave is only one part of this landscape. These places need no North permit.
- A guided tour does not replace the permit. If you win your own permit, an approved guide does not count toward the quota. If the guide obtains the permit, the guide counts as part of the group.
- Coyote Buttes South does not contain The Wave. It is day use only, with groups of up to 6 people and no marked trails. Cottonwood Cove and Paw Hole need a high-clearance 4x4 because of deep sand and rock. The South permit costs $6 per application plus $5 per person or dog for winners. One local operator lists a day trip at $249 per person for about 10 hours (2026), with taxes and BLM fees extra. A small child is not recommended.
- White Pocket needs no visitor permit for an ordinary visit, but it does need a capable 4x4.
- Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch are a day-use area with a $6 fee per person and per dog.
Plan the rest of your trip
Other pages in this guide.
White Pocket
Banded rock reached by deep-sand tracks, with no visitor permit for an ordinary visit.
Vermilion Cliffs
Which permits belong to which part of the monument, and how roads change.
Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass
Day-use fees, flash flood warnings and the short Wire Pass hike.
Where to stay
Sleeping in Kanab, toward Zion or on the Page side.
The Wave: frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for The Wave?
Yes. A day permit for Coyote Buttes North is required. You get one through the monthly lottery or the daily lottery on recreation.gov. Permits for Coyote Buttes South and Paria Canyon do not cover it.
Can I still enter the lottery in person in Kanab?
No. The in-person draw no longer exists. The daily lottery runs on a mobile device inside the geofence, two days before the hike.
How much does a Wave permit cost?
An application costs $6 and is not refunded. Winners pay another $7 per person or dog (2026). Infants count as people on the permit.
How long is the hike?
The suggested route is 6.4 miles (10.3 km) round trip. It is strenuous and unmarked, so leave plenty of time and carry a map, GPS and enough water.
Can I camp near The Wave?
Camping is not allowed in the permit area. Many visitors sleep in Kanab, see where to stay.
Is a regular rental car enough?
Usually not. The roads are unpaved and need high clearance, and rain can make them impassable. Check the current road report, or book a guided trip.