Trail on the Wave – only 64 people a day can get here

Dreaming of visiting a place that looks like it’s from another planet? The Wave, located on the border of Arizona and Utah, is one of the most beautiful and photogenic rock formations in the world. Its unique shapes and colors attract people from all over the world, but it’s not easy to get there – you need a special permit, which can be quite a challenge to get!

We finally made it and in today’s post we will share our experiences and tips on how to get a permit and what the trail looks like.

The Wave has been a dream of ours ever since we were planning our first trip in the American West. It was then that we came across the first photos of the place and knew we wanted to go there. Our enthusiasm cooled when it turned out that in order to reach this beautiful formation, you need to get a permit, and that’s not at all easy.

Entry to the Wave requires a permit, which you can’t just get or buy, you have to win it. Nevertheless, we tried and tried. Many times ;) Both during my first and second trip in the US. We sent our votes in the sweepstakes in advance as well as participated in the sweepstakes while we were already there (we write about how the sweepstakes work later in this post).

We sent the lucky draws quite spontaneously – we were writing a book about the US West and once again the images from the Wave came back. Then we said to ourselves, and let’s give it a try, having neither a plan nor even plane tickets to the US. Out of five tickets, one turned out to be lucky and we won entry for 5 people! And that’s when the planning for the next trip began, which culminated in driving a Route 66 camper van with a drive back to the Wave.

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In this post, we will share our experiences and tips on how to plan your visit, how to take part in the lottery and what to watch out for to fully enjoy this amazing adventure.

What is the Wave and Coyote Buttes North?

The rock formation of the Wave is located in the Coyote Buttes North area, located in the state of Arizona, near the Utah border, within Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The entire area is famous for its unique desert landscapes and unusual geology.

This place impresses with undulating rock structures in shades of red, orange and yellow, formed by millions of years of sandstone erosion. The Wave is a true wonder of nature, created only for a few. Why is this the case? This sandstone is extremely fragile and the site is protected from being trampled by tourists, and getting to and from the site is not easy and often ends in rescue operations. The BLM therefore restricts access to the site by issuing special permits that can only be obtained by lottery.

Admission to Coyote Buttes North is strictly limited – only 64 people can enter per day, and only a few years ago it was only 16 people! Of course, this is to protect The Wave and nearby areas. This strict limit also ensures a completely different experience and no crowds, although we can’t say it was completely empty. Hitting even the larger groups, we had to wait a bit on the spot to be able to take pictures in peace ;) However, it’s still nothing compared to many other places in the US and the crowds you can find there.

The Wave – how was it created?

The rock formation The Wave is a work of nature, created by millions of years of wind and water action on layers of sandstone. The characteristic ripples were created by eroding the less resistant rock layers, while the harder ones remained intact. This process has led to the creation of almost mesmerizing patterns that have changed over the centuries. The result? A natural work of art whose colors intensify especially at sunrise and sunset.

The Wave: Utah or Arizona?

One of the most common questions asked by travelers is the location of The Wave – is it in Utah or Arizona? Although the beginning of the trail, the Wire Pass Trailhead, is in Utah, The Wave formation itself is in Arizona. This unique geographic point makes the entire adventure encompass both states, adding to the charm of the trek.

How to get a permit (permit) – Lottery the Wave

Entry to The Wave requires obtaining a permit, which unfortunately is not easy and depends on… luck. As we mentioned, currently only 64 permits are issued for the day. This is very low, as there are up to several thousand takers per day.

There are two options for obtaining a permit:

• Coyote Buttes North Advanced Lottery (the Wave) – you can apply for a permit 4 months in advance through Recreation.gov. For example, in January you apply for entries in May, in February for entries in June, and so on. When applying, you choose 3 days from the entire month, but you only win entry to one specific day. The daily limit in this lottery is 48 people, and the results are at the beginning of the following month. In this option, the permit will come to you by snail mail (yes, such still works ;)), so be sure to provide a correct mailing address.
• Coyote Buttes North Daily Lottery (the Wave) – held 2 days in advance, also online through Recreation.gov (note, these are two different lotteries). This is an option for those who are flexible with time, ready for a spontaneous adventure or very desperate ;) Unfortunately, there are only 16 seats to be won per day in this lottery and there are two requirements: you must be in the Kanab area (after the mobile network signal, GPS is checked to see if you can buy a ticket, of course, do we need to mention that there is such a thing as VPN and fake GPS? ;) ), and in addition, if you win, the day before you must go to the office to pick up the permit (in the case of the former lottery, you get everything by mail).

Caution, when applying, check twice to make sure you’re letting your tickets go in the right lottery, as it’s similar to Coyote Buttes South, but that part doesn’t include The Wave.

In each of the above lotteries, each ticket costs $6 (regardless of the number of people entered), and if you win, you still have to pay $7 for each person entered who will participate in the expedition.

Note, one person can purchase only one ticket and he or she must go to the trail later, unless he or she fills in the details of the other person, who will also be eligible to go. Unfortunately, there is a catch here – if you enter a second person, they cannot let go of another ticket in the same lottery. Fate cannot be rewritten to someone else once you have won.

How do you increase your chances? The key is to apply during periods of lower interest. The greatest siege is in spring and autumn, when the weather is at its mildest, so consider applying to enter the Wave in winter or summer, despite the harsher weather conditions. Chances may increase if you opt for less popular days of the week, such as Tuesday or Wednesday. The date of entry cannot be changed – this is the only day you can go on this trail (even if it turns out that it is pouring or the road is impassable, the permit is simply forfeited).

It is also worth applying in groups. Each person can submit a separate application, increasing the overall probability of success. However, there is also a downside to such reporting: a larger group is less likely to get a permit. There is a greater chance of winning when you apply for one person, and less when for a group of 5 people.

What if it doesn’t work out?

Failing to get a permit to The Wave doesn’t mean your trip will be wasted! There are many other truly amazing places in the area! In general, this area, as well as the area around Page, Kanab or the state of Utah and Arizona, is in our opinion one of the most beautiful regions in the world.

Besides, if you participated in the Advanced Lottery then you can still try your hand at the daily lottery. However, if you are unlucky, go to White Pocket on the day you planned The Wave.

White Pocket

White Pocket is an excellent alternative to The Wave, offering spectacular views and surreal landscapes. Admission is free, no permits are needed (yet!), and the route is much less demanding, as you drive your car up to almost the formation itself.

However, access is difficult – it is necessary to have a 4×4 vehicle and a good GPS navigation. The road is unpaved, there are plenty of rocks and sand so it is good to have experience in such a ride. Although the road is much more difficult, White Pocket is not far from the Wave (you can see these formations from a distance).

However, the views on site make up for all the hardship of getting there :)

We won and what’s next?

Once you manage to win a lottery ticket you need to complete a few more formalities, which we have already written about before.

First of all, you have to pay a fee of $7 per person, including for small children or a dog. In the case of the Advanced Lottery, the documents, map, bright pink card and a card for the car will be sent by mail, and in the case of the Daily Lottery you need to pick this up at one of the two points, necessarily the day before:

• BLM Kanab Visitor Center, 745 US-89, Kanab, UT 84741
• The Hub Visitor Center, 48 S Lake Powell Blvd, Page, AZ 86040

It is for this reason that they check your geolocation when you buy a ticket so that you arrive in time (there is even a specific time given for this meeting). Here, too, the day before there is a training session for those setting out on the trail, which is worth attending even if you have won Advanced Lottery tickets. We were in Page and there were surprisingly few people at this location, but it is an opportunity to ask questions and address concerns.

They will be here to scare you a little, and obey a little ;)

What else is important before hitting the trail? Check weather forecasts and access conditions – the road is paved, but not asphalt, and is crossed by streams so if it rains beforehand it can even be impassable, and the surface itself becomes very slippery. To get there, we recommend a car with higher ground clearance (although this is not required). About where the parking lot is located, from which side to get there, we write in the section: practical information.

Trail on the Wave

The trail leading to The Wave begins at the Wire Pass Trailhead, located between Page and Kanab, Utah. There is quite a large parking lot on site, with restrooms. However, it’s worth knowing that several trails start from here, so there will be more cars here than just those whose passengers go to The Wave.

The route is about 4.5 kilometers one way, in two it comes out to 9 kilometers, of course (we remind you that in the US distances are given in miles, so don’t be surprised by the shorter lengths given on the plates). The route is considered moderately difficult/difficult, mainly due to the desert conditions, the sharp approach at the end and poor trail signage. Many people recommend taking a GPS, and if you have one, we recommend taking such a device and uploading a suitable route.

There are actually minimal signs on the trail, and you can’t count on having someone to follow the whole way. Also, there is nothing to rely on cell phones – you may lose the signal, have no coverage at all, and then the phone draws a lot of battery – leave it for photos and videos when you get there :)

Also, don’t count with a map with an exact route. At the time of receipt of the permit (or in the letter with this permit) you will receive instructions with pictures of landmarks, how you need to go. Without a specific map of how the trail goes.

Ready-to-use interactive map with more than 700 points in the Western US. You can find it in our store in the category of travel planners »

The initial section leads through flat terrain, where it is difficult to lose the trail – such a route leads for about a kilometer. The second part of the trail becomes more challenging, leading through rocky hills. First you have to climb up a bit, and then walk most of the way on the rocks.

This section lacks shade, which, combined with high temperatures, makes the route more difficult, especially in summer. We were incredibly lucky that day – we hit one of the cooler days of the season. When we set off on the trail around 7 am (too late!) it was about 3-5 degrees Celsius, later when we returned it was about 30 degrees Celsius.

The last stage is the approach to The Wave formation itself, and it is this last section that is the worst, many people give up here, despite the fact that the formation is almost at hand (one of the guards at the site told us that a few days before us, a helicopter had to come to pick up one tourist who didn’t make it). You have to climb up a steep rock here, with sand, at times you have to go on all fours, but since a 5-year-old could manage it, it can’t be that hard, right? :)

After climbing this steep climb, you are almost at your destination! Your eyes will see the awe-inspiring beauty of the Wave – you can spend as much time here as you want, but keep in mind that you still have a way to go back.

It’s also worth poking around, as the whole area is unique. It is fairly easy to reach Second Wave, and a little more difficult to reach the rock arches above.

The round-trip walking time is about 4-5 hours, but it is advisable to plan more time for photographing and enjoying the views, which are spectacular at every stage of the hike. It took us much longer, and we spent about 2 hours on the Wave itself and in the surrounding area.

The return, however, was quite hard. Literally, because we took a lighter change of clothes on the road and came to carry all those jackets, fleeces and long pants all the way back. Plus, of course, 30 degrees Celsius , without an ounce of shade, also does its job.

Video from The Wave trail

We also recommend you our coverage in video form, a YouTube video titled: The Wave Arizona – how to get a permit and our dream trip »

What do you need to keep in mind?

The trail on the Wave requires proper preparation, so a few points you need to keep in mind:

• Head out early in the morning – seriously, preferably at 5 or 6 a.m., when it’s still cooler and before other tourists. We didn’t set out until 7. and while walking we met people who were already returning from the trail.
• Remember the permit and have it pinned in a visible place to your backpack, and additionally remember to leave the appropriate card behind the car window in the parking lot. On the trail you may meet a ranger who will check permits.
• Take the map with photos you get in the package. It may make you laugh, but there are pictures of what the trail looks like both ways – it’s quite useful!
• As you walk along the trail, turn around to remember the way back, taking pictures will be useful. Remember that the way back always looks different.
• Carry enough water (at least 3-4 liters per person) and food. We recommend buying water in disposable bottles for the trail. We know, not very eco-friendly, and we don’t do that ourselves on a daily basis, but in this case it makes sense: an empty bottle is lighter than a bidon, it’s easy to crush, so it takes up little space.

• Dress appropriately for the weather conditions – in summer temperatures can exceed 40°C.
• Check the weather forecast: both in terms of appropriate clothing and getting there.
• Write down the GPS coordinates and use a map – the lack of signage on the trail can be confusing.
• Before setting off, sign in a special book (trail register) with the details of your contact person. That way it will be clear how many people are on the trail. Don’t forget to sign in once you’re safely back in the parking lot.
• Be aware of your fitness level – the route can be demanding, especially in hot weather.

The Wave with children?

Is it worth taking children to The Wave? It depends on the age and condition of the toddlers. The route is demanding, so it may be too difficult for younger children, especially since the rocks are slippery, you walk partly on sand, and the temperatures are not friendly either. Older children who like adventure and are used to hiking can manage, but it is necessary to prepare enough water, food and protection from the sun.

We set out on the trail with three children. Anna (2.5 years old) traveled in a hiking carrier the entire trail, one way. On the spot she was already bored in the carrier, and she walked back partly alone.

Our 5-year-old, to our pride, walked the entire route on his own, which showed that with proper preparation even children can enjoy this extraordinary adventure. We didn’t hear once that he was tired, that he didn’t want to, or that he wanted to go back, so we consider it a huge success ;) Was it easy for him? It turns out that the most difficult section (i.e. climbing a rather steep rock) was the most fun for him.

Olive, of course, also gave advice on her own. Both she and Philip also had their backpacks full of water bottles and snacks.

Additional practical information – the Wave, Arizona

• Best time to visit: Spring and autumn, when temperatures are milder. You should also consider trekking to the Wave in winter – that’s when your chances of winning a permit are greatest
• Fees: the cost of participating in the raffle is $6, and you pay an additional $7 per person to enter.
• Safety: always inform someone of your planned route and return time.
• Toilets: there are no toilets along the entire route, and the only ones available are those near the parking lot.
• Coverage: in many places along the route there is no mobile signal, so it is crucial to save GPS coordinates and use offline maps.
• Physical preparation: the trail is demanding, especially in hot weather, so it’s a good idea to make sure you have the right level of fitness before the hike.
• Equipment: bring hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect yourself from the harsh desert sun.

Road to the Wave – access and parking

The beginning of the trail to the Wave is off House Rock Valley Rd and is called Wire Pass Trailhead. It is about 47 miles (about 75 kilometers) from Kanab to here, and 44 miles (about 71 kilometers) from Page. It should take about an hour to get there from both villages, but it is worth remembering that the aforementioned road is only paved and drives slower.

A gravel road leads to the Wave, but in good weather conditions it is accessible to most cars. There is free parking on site, but be sure to leave the slip behind the car window you received with your permits.

The easiest access to House Rock Valley Rd is from Highway 89, stretching between Kanab and Page, but there is also a second option: a longer one from Highway 89A.

Our opinion

The rock formation of the Wave is one of those places that takes your breath away. Although getting a permit can be difficult and the route is demanding, the views that await on the spot make up for any hardships. For us it was a dream location and we were not disappointed one ounce!

If you dream of visiting this remarkable rock formation, start planning well in advance and be ready for an unforgettable adventure in the heart of the desert landscape of Arizona and Utah!

And if you are going to the West of the USA, we recommend you our book and ready-made itineraries!

Photo gallery from the Wave

See also all our photos from the Wave: