the wave arizona permit: how to get one without disrupting your road trip
Visiting The Wave in Arizona requires a permit. Learn how both lotteries work, what they cost, and which rules and precautions to consider before your hike.
By Jocelyn Pion · · 13 min read
The Wave's sandstone curves in Arizona make a day in the desert look irresistible, but getting access takes more than buying a ticket. Planning for the wave arizona permit means securing a Coyote Buttes North permit for a specific date, then preparing for a demanding hike. You can apply from France or during your trip. We recommend building an itinerary you'll enjoy even without a permit, since winning the lottery doesn't guarantee a passable access road or weather suitable for hiking.
The Wave in Arizona: which permit do you need?
The Wave is in Arizona, near the Utah border. Its undulating formations lie in Coyote Buttes North, within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, manages this land. It is not a national park.
The authorization you need is called a Coyote Buttes North permit. It allows a day visit, with no overnight stay, for the specified date and group size. It does not cover Coyote Buttes South or other areas that require permits.
There are two lotteries you can enter:
| Process | When do you apply? | Do you need to be in the area? | Daily allocation limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance lottery | Four months before the month of your visit | No | 48 people or 12 groups |
| Daily lottery | Two days before your hike | Yes, within the eligible area | 16 people or 4 groups |
For each lottery, whichever limit is reached first applies. Even if individual spaces theoretically remain, there may be no room for another group. These quotas do not tell you your odds of winning: the number of applications and the sizes of the groups applying also matter.
Start by choosing the process that fits your trip. If you're applying from France, the advance lottery lets you find out the result before you leave. The daily lottery requires you to be in the region already and available the day before your hike. We don't recommend booking a series of extra nights just to wait for a win.
The advance lottery: apply four months before your hike
Applications open during the month four months before your hiking month. To hike in July, apply in March. The drawing takes place on April 1, and winners must accept and pay by April 15.
You can select up to three dates per application, but you can only be awarded one visit. Choose days that actually work with your lodging and route. Being technically available is little help if it means backtracking from a distant park.
| Step | Example for a hike on July 15, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Application | March 1 through March 31, 2027 |
| Drawing | April 1, 2027 |
| Acceptance and payment | By April 15, 2027 |
| Hike | July 15, 2027 |
This example follows the calendar published by the BLM. Check the terms for your lottery period before applying.
Get your account ready. Check your email address, group size, and dates. Look in your spam folder after applying and after the drawing, too. If you win, sign back in to Recreation.gov to finalize your award: reading the email does not count as accepting and paying.
Name your alternate permit holders when you apply. For the advance lottery, an alternate must have a Recreation.gov account and accept the email invitation within three days. Being an alternate prevents that person from submitting a separate application to the same lottery. If the primary permit holder is absent, only an accepted alternate listed on the permit can use it.
The dates, primary permit holder, alternates, and group size cannot be changed after the permit is awarded. We therefore recommend confirming who is going before paying the application fee.
Plan for the permit's arrival. The BLM says advance permits are sent by mail. Its FAQ describes the four-to-six-week delivery window differently in different places, counting from either payment or the drawing. If you're using a French mailing address and your departure is approaching, ask for confirmation of the arrangements. Don't assume a winner notification email can replace the permit you must present.
The daily lottery: try your luck from Page or Kanab
Enter the daily lottery two days before your hike, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., using Utah time. You must apply on a mobile device with location services enabled while inside the eligible geographic area. Desktop and laptop computers cannot be used.
The Coyote Buttes North daily lottery is available through a mobile browser or the Recreation.gov app. If you use the app, update it before applying. Have your account, internet connection, and location permissions ready as well.
Page and Kanab are within the area described by the BLM. Still, check your location against the official map: a hotel reservation nearby does not mean the system will validate your location. After applying, you do not have to stay within the area to receive the result.
Keep the day before your hike open. The BLM's procedure document says results arrive the evening you apply, with acceptance and payment due before 8 a.m. the next day. It also requires you to pick up your permit and attend the safety briefing before 8:30 a.m. Mountain Time on the day before your hike. Follow the location and times given in your notification.
| Day | Example for a hike on July 15, 2027 |
|---|---|
| July 13, two days before | Apply between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Utah time; results arrive that evening |
| July 14, one day before | Accept and pay before 8 a.m. Utah time; pick up your permit and attend the briefing as instructed |
| July 15 | Hike if conditions allow |
Missing a deadline can cost you your permit. Avoid scheduling a long outing without cell service on drawing night or an early departure that conflicts with permit pickup.
To understand the time zones in Utah and Arizona, remember the key point: lottery deadlines follow Utah time, while your notification provides the local arrangements. Check the time zone before setting an alarm on your phone.
Fees and group rules: what should you budget in 2026?
In 2026, both Recreation.gov listings show a nonrefundable $6 application fee, followed by $7 per person if you receive a permit. You pay the application fee even if you don't win.
For a couple submitting one application, that means $6 if unsuccessful or $20 total if you win. Each additional paid attempt adds to your costs without guaranteeing success. Check the listed fees before paying.
| Expense for two people | Listed amount in 2026 |
|---|---|
| One application | $6 |
| Permit after winning | $14 |
| Total after winning | $20 |
Groups are limited to six people. Infants count, even if they aren't walking, and the per-person fee applies regardless of age. Two groups with separate permits cannot join together to exceed six people.
Each person may submit only one application per lottery. Duplicate entries lead to disqualification. You also cannot hold multiple permits for the same area at the same time.
Permit holders cannot simply swap places. The advance process allows alternates who were named and approved on time. For the daily lottery, Recreation.gov states that the permit is invalid if the primary permit holder is absent. Don't assume the substitution rules for one process apply to the other.
Hiring a guide does not guarantee access. If you obtain an individual permit and then hire an authorized guide, one guide per group may be added without counting toward the group or visitor limit. If the operator obtains the permit for the guided trip, the guide counts toward the group size. Ask which arrangement applies to your booking.
Fees are nonrefundable, and permits cannot be moved to another date, even because of bad weather or health problems. When planning your U.S. travel budget, factor in the cost of a detour or an extra night as well as the permit itself.
Getting to The Wave: preparing for the road and the hike
The usual approach follows US 89 and House Rock Valley Road to the Wire Pass trailhead. The final stretch is on a minimally maintained dirt road. A permit therefore does not guarantee you'll be able to reach the parking area.
Check the vehicle, road conditions, and rental agreement. The BLM says a high-clearance, two-wheel-drive vehicle can generally reach the trailhead. Four-wheel drive may be necessary when the road is wet. During rainy periods or in winter, the road may be impassable for any vehicle.
Ask the BLM about road conditions before setting out, especially after precipitation. Also take time to check your car rental terms for restrictions on unpaved roads. What the vehicle can physically handle does not determine what your agreement allows.
The hike is about 6.4 miles round-trip. The route is demanding and unmarked. A distance you can comfortably cover on a maintained trail may take considerably more effort on this terrain.
Permit holders receive directions that include a map, photographs, and GPS coordinates. Prepare those materials before hiking and make sure your navigation resources work offline. The BLM warns that user-posted routes on apps have caused visitors to get lost or injured.
A guide is not required if you have a valid individual permit. However, we recommend hiring an authorized guide if you're not confident navigating. A charged phone is no substitute for being able to identify a route and find your way back to the trailhead.
Heat and weather: when to skip the hike despite having a permit
The BLM warns of extreme heat and little shade from May through September. There is no drinking water along the route. Heavy rain can cause flash floods, while winter can bring cold weather and ice on the sandstone.
We don't recommend choosing your start time solely for the light you want in your photos. First consider the forecast, access conditions, and the abilities of the person in your group who needs the most support. Paying for a permit should not make you feel obligated to hike.
Pack the following:
- Your permit and required documents.
- Enough water for the exertion, food, and sun protection.
- The official map and directions, available offline.
- A charged phone and backup power.
- Clothing suited to the conditions.
- First-aid supplies and a light.
How much water you need depends on the temperature, exertion, and individual needs. Ask the BLM for recommendations suited to the day of your hike. Never treat a minimum amount as a guarantee of safety.
Plan your return, too. Keep the group together and monitor your remaining water, fatigue, and navigation landmarks. We recommend deciding in advance what conditions will trigger a turnaround, then sticking to that decision even if The Wave seems close.
Cell coverage is unreliable. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911; Recreation.gov notes that this call can sometimes connect when calls to other numbers cannot. That does not guarantee you'll be able to communicate from every point on the route.
When choosing travel insurance for the United States, check coverage for remote hiking, search operations, and medical transportation. Ask for clarification if the policy's exclusions are unclear.
Without a permit: keeping your park itinerary on track
Treat The Wave as a possibility along your route between Page and the parks. When planning a road trip through the American West, choose a backup activity near your lodging. That way, an unsuccessful drawing won't turn into an extra day of driving.
Keep a stop you're already looking forward to. We favor a planned visit or a more flexible day over booking a new excursion in a rush. If you're planning a stop at Zion, simply check that it fits your route and reservations.
Don't mix up the permits. Coyote Buttes South requires its own authorization. A Wire Pass or Buckskin Gulch permit does not provide access to The Wave. Buying a different entry permit for the same trailhead does not bypass the lottery.
Check access to any alternative. According to the BLM, White Pocket requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle. We don't recommend it as an improvised backup with a rental car unless you've checked both its capabilities and the rental agreement.
Finally, consider cancellation policies when choosing your lodging. An extra night to try the daily lottery again is a definite expense for an uncertain outcome.
Our take: try for a permit, but keep your itinerary independent
First road trip or family trip. We recommend the advance lottery. Knowing the result before your trip makes planning easier. We advise against making all your reservations depend on the daily lottery. Before applying, make sure everyone can handle roughly 6.4 miles of desert terrain. An infant also counts toward your group size and budget.
Flexible couple. We recommend the daily lottery if Page or Kanab is already on your itinerary and you can keep the day before your hike free. Applying two days ahead is only the first step: you must be able to pay before 8 a.m. the following morning and complete the local requirements. We wouldn't automatically extend the stay for another attempt.
Tight budget. We favor an application that fits your existing route. In 2026, a couple pays $6 to enter and $20 total if awarded a permit. Decide first how much you're willing to spend on attempts and extra lodging.
Limited navigation skills or unfavorable weather. We recommend an authorized guide if navigating is beyond your abilities. If access is impassable or conditions are dangerous, we advise skipping the hike. The lack of refunds or date changes never justifies setting out in unsafe conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Wave in Arizona or Utah?
The Wave is in Arizona, in Coyote Buttes North, near the Utah border. Kanab, Utah, can serve as a base for exploring the region.
Can you visit The Wave without a permit?
Visiting The Wave without a Coyote Buttes North permit is not allowed. An application or a Wire Pass permit does not replace that authorization.
Do you need a guide to hike to The Wave?
A guide is not required to visit The Wave with a valid individual permit. We recommend an authorized guide if you have limited navigation experience.
Is The Wave permit refundable if weather prevents the visit?
The Wave permit is not refundable if weather prevents your visit. Official rules also prohibit moving it to another date, including for health reasons.