Lottery6/10
Coyote Buttes South
Equally stunning but easier to get than The Wave....
View Coyote Buttes South Permit permit details and availability
LotteryDay UseVery High Demand
The Wave (Coyote Buttes North)
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
The legendary sandstone formation—one of the most photographed geological wonders on Earth. Only 64 people per day allowed.
“Stand in the flowing lines of 190-million-year-old sandstone—a geological masterpiece formed when dinosaurs roamed the earth.”
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The Wave Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodLottery
Demand LevelExtremely High10/10
SeasonYear-round
Cost$9
Daily Quota64 permits
Lottery Odds~5%
Key Information
Key Dates
Lottery Opens4 months ahead
SeasonYear-round
Permit Details
TypeDay Use
Booking MethodLottery
Demand Level10/10
LocationUT
Pro Tips
- •Apply every month for 4+ months
- •Try the daily walk-in lottery in Kanab
- •Coyote Buttes South has similar formations with better odds
- •Download GPS tracks before your hike
- •Bring more water than you think
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
6.4 miles
Elevation Gain
350 ft
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
4-6 hours
Difficulty
ModerateElevation Range
4,850 - 5,200 ft
Highlights
- •A 6.4-mile round-trip hike with no marked trail—GPS navigation required
- •Terrain includes sandy wash, deep sand dunes, and slickrock
- •No shade, no water, no facilities anywhere on the route
- •Time to explore multiple formations beyond The Wave itself
- •Complete wilderness solitude with only 64 visitors per day
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer ideal temperatures. Summer is dangerously hot. Winter is possible but cold and may have snow on the route.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Dehydration—there is no water on the route; desert heat is extreme
- !Navigation challenges—no marked trail; people regularly get lost
- !Flash floods—do not enter washes if rain is in the forecast
- !Extreme heat in summer—temperatures can exceed 110°F
- !Cold in winter—exposed terrain with no wind protection
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Verify your email and add payment info ahead of time.
2
Apply during the lottery window
Submit your application between 4 months ahead. Apply for multiple dates to increase your odds.
3
If unsuccessful, monitor cancellations
Permits get cancelled daily. Peak cancellation times are 24-48 hours before the trip date.
4
Set up PermitSnag alerts
Get instant notifications when cancellations happen. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
When to Go
Peak: OctoberShoulder: March-April
Conditions
Mild temperatures. Occasional rain. Wildflowers in lower elevations.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Pleasant temperatures
- +Fewer crowds than fall
- +Wildflowers
Challenges
- !Unpredictable weather
- !Some areas still muddy
- !Flash flood risk
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand2/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill3/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk1/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation4/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment2/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Anyone in reasonable physical condition who is comfortable with off-trail navigation in remote wilderness.
Recommended Experience
GPS navigation experience strongly recommended. Desert hiking experience helpful but not required.
Not Recommended For
Those uncomfortable with navigation or unable to use GPS. Not suitable for those who cannot handle desert heat.
About This Permit
The Wave is a sandstone rock formation located in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness near the Arizona-Utah border. Formed from 190-million-year-old Jurassic-age Navajo sandstone, the formation is famous for its colorful, flowing, striped bands of rock.
Due to the fragility of the formation and the surrounding ecosystem, access is strictly limited to 64 people per day (or 16 groups of up to 4). Permits are required year-round and are distributed via two lottery systems—an advance lottery four months ahead and a daily lottery two days before.
The Experience
Why It Matters
The Wave is one of the planet's most remarkable examples of cross-bedded sandstone—ancient sand dunes turned to stone, then carved by wind and water into sinuous, flowing lines. Discovered by hikers in the 1990s, it has become the holy grail of landscape photography and a pilgrimage site for geology enthusiasts worldwide.
The Route
From Wire Pass Trailhead, the route follows a wash for about a mile before climbing onto slickrock. There is no marked trail—navigation relies on photo waypoints provided by the BLM and GPS coordinates. Twin Buttes serve as the primary landmark.
The terrain shifts from sandy wash to deep sand dunes to sculpted slickrock. The Wave itself sits in a bowl between rock formations, invisible until you're nearly upon it. Two main chutes compose the classic 'Wave' formation, but the surrounding 1,600 acres of Coyote Buttes North contain dozens of additional features worth exploring: The Second Wave, The Boneyard, Top Rock Arch, and prehistoric dinosaur tracks.
The Feeling
Nothing prepares you for the moment you crest the rise and The Wave appears. It's not just a formation—it's a portal to deep time. The flowing bands of red, orange, and cream were ancient sand dunes 190 million years ago. Now they ripple like frozen waves, drawing your eye along curves that seem impossible in stone. You'll spend hours exploring every alcove and chute, watching the light shift and reveal new details.
Trailhead Information
Wire Pass Trailhead
4,850 ft elevationThe only authorized access point for Coyote Buttes North and The Wave. Located on House Rock Valley Road.
Restrooms
Water Available
No Service
Parking
Small dirt parking area. High-clearance vehicle recommended for House Rock Valley Road, though passenger cars can make it in dry conditions.
Getting There
From US 89A, turn south onto House Rock Valley Road and drive 8.3 miles to the trailhead. Road is dirt and can be impassable when wet.
Nearest Services
Kanab, UT (40 miles) or Marble Canyon, AZ (27 miles). No services at trailhead—bring all water and food.
Rules & Regulations
- •Valid permit required—no exceptions, no grace period
- •Maximum 64 people (16 groups) per day
- •Group size limited to 4 people maximum
- •Must sign permit at Wire Pass Trailhead before hiking
- •No camping in Coyote Buttes North (day use only)
- •No dogs permitted
- •No commercial photography without additional permit
Gear Checklist
Required
- GPS device with downloaded waypoints (phone GPS acceptable but bring backup)
- BLM photo guide (provided with permit)
- At least one gallon of water per person
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
- Sturdy footwear for slickrock and sand
Recommended
- Extra water beyond the one-gallon minimum
- Camera and tripod for photography
- Layers for variable desert temperatures
- Emergency shelter/space blanket
- Snacks and lunch
Key Landmarks
↑
350ft
Gain↓
350ft
Loss⛰️
5,200ft
High📏
3.5mi
Distance📐
3%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•8 landmarks
Landmarks (8)
Lottery Statistics
~5%
estimated success rate
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Safety & Planning
🚨
Emergency Info
Download the PermitSnag app for offline access to emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for The Wave.
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🐻
Food Storage
Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.
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The Wave FAQ
How do I get a The Wave permit?
The Wave permits are obtained through a lottery system. The lottery typically opens 4 months ahead. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
When is the best time to visit The Wave?
The season typically runs Year-round. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the The Wave permit?
This permit has a demand score of 10/10, making it extremely competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a The Wave permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
The Wave's chutes are best photographed at midday when the sun is directly overhead, minimizing shadows in the narrow formations.
Best Light
Midday (10am-2pm) provides the most even light in The Wave itself. The Second Wave is best in late afternoon when low sun brings out deep orange hues.
Beat the Crowds
With only 64 people per day, The Wave is never truly crowded. Arrive early to have the formation to yourself before other permit holders arrive.
Classic Shots
- 📍Wide-angle view into the main chute of The Wave
- 📍Detail shots of the flowing sandstone bands
- 📍The Second Wave at late afternoon with warm light
- 📍The Boneyard lace rocks against dark cliff backdrop
- 📍Melody Arch on Top Rock
- 📍Reflections in rain pools (when water is present)
Can't Get a The Wave Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Coyote Buttes South
Same AreaSimilar sandstone formations with better lottery odds. Features include The Cotton Candy, Paw Hole, and Teepees.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Much easier to get a permit (same lottery system but less demand). Formations are spectacular but lack the iconic Wave shape.
White Pocket
Similar ExperienceSpectacular brain-rock formations without permit requirement. Located 20 miles south of The Wave.
No permit needed
Tradeoffs
No permit needed but requires high-clearance 4WD and navigation skills. Road can be impassable when wet.
Buckskin Gulch
Same AreaThe world's longest slot canyon, starting from the same Wire Pass Trailhead.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Different type of experience (slot canyon vs. surface formations) but uses same access point.
Other Vermilion Cliffs Permits
Consider these alternatives or add them to your tracking list