The Most Competitive US Hiking Permits: The Wave, Arizona and Utah

Permits to hike The Wave are distributed via two lottery processes: an online advanced lottery and a last-minute lottery held 48 hours ahead of time.

The online lottery opens on the first day of each month and runs until the last day. The drawing is held on the first day of the next month, and winners are notified via email. Each lottery is for permits four months in advance. So for example, if you enter the lottery in March, the drawing will be held April 1, and the permits will be for a date in July. The requirements are very strict: Everyone has to be listed on the permit (including dogs and carried infants), and if you enter more than once, you’ll be disqualified. A maximum of 48 people or 12 groups will receive daily permits via this method.

The second method for getting a permit is the daily lottery, which awards a maximum of 12 permits or four groups, whichever comes first. This lottery has even stricter requirements; primarily, that you can only apply from within a certain geographic area. That means you can only apply via a mobile device with location services turned on, and need to have the most updated version of the Recreation.gov app.

The last-minute lottery distributes permits two days in advance (you’ll apply on Wednesday for a Friday permit, for example), and is open from 6 AM to 6 PM, Utah time (which isn’t always the same as Arizona time). Winners are notified that day by 7:30 PM. If you win, you’ll have to attend a safety briefing at the designated visitor center the next day at 8:30 AM, where you’ll also be given your permit. If you fail to attend this, your permit will be cancelled. Your permit is valid the day after that.

The hike to The Wave is not particularly long, but there’s no cell service, and no defined trail. When you receive your permit, you’ll be given route guidance, a map, and GPS coordinates. While it’s not exactly navigating through dense forest, it’s still much harder than your average national park trail. Do your research before you begin the application process, and make sure you have at least one person experienced with wayfinding in your group.

Alternative to The Wave

If you can’t secure a permit for The Wave, consider hiking the nearby Wire Pass Trail to Buckskin Gulch, an incredible alternative with similar patterns and a stunning slot canyon. The trailhead is a short drive from the starting point of The Wave (the Wire Pass Trailhead). You do need a permit, which you can get online in advance or pay for with $6 in cash when you arrive. The hike is suitable for average hikers and takes you through narrow sandstone corridors with towering walls, vibrant colors, and unique rock formations. Note that you may get your feet wet year-round, and you’ll want to avoid it during peak monsoon season (July and August).

Where to stay near The Wave

The two towns closet to the trailhead are either Kanab, UT (about an hour west) and Page, AZ (about an hour east). Drive a little past Kanab, and you’re at Zion National Park, which has no shortage of gorgeous desert cabins available to rent. Drive 90 minutes south of Kanab, and you’re at the Grand Canyon, also loaded with cool places to stay. So if you want to do The Wave as part of a longer southwestern parks trip, you have lots of options.