No lottery · Vermilion Cliffs alternatives
Alternative Areas Around the Wave
Most people who come for The Wave don't win a permit. The good news: the alternatives are genuinely spectacular — some visitors come back saying they preferred them. None require a lottery.
White Pocket
Wild polished sandstone formations in the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. Some consider it more spectacular than The Wave — and no lottery. The access road is extremely sandy and claims many vehicles.
Full guide →Buckskin Gulch & Wire Pass
The longest, deepest slot canyon system in the American Southwest. Wire Pass Canyon is an accessible introduction; the full Buckskin Gulch is a multi-day commitment with pools of standing water and boulder obstacles.
Full guide →South Coyote Buttes
Adjacent to Coyote Buttes North with similar colorful sandstone formations. Permits are required but significantly less competitive than The Wave lottery.
Full guide →The New Wave
A small but intriguing cluster of formations near Page, AZ with sections that resemble The Wave. Quick and easy — no lottery, no guide required.
Full guide →Paria Rimrocks / Toadstool Hoodoos
Accessible mushroom-shaped hoodoos near mile marker 19 on US-89. Easy hike from the paved parking area — a great leg-stretch stop for any rental car.
Full guide →Antelope Canyon
The world's most photographed slot canyon. Both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon require advance guided tours. A natural pairing with any Wave trip staged from Page.
Learn more →Horseshoe Bend
The Colorado River bends in a horseshoe curve 1,000 feet below the overlook. One of the most photographed vistas in the Southwest — best at sunrise to beat crowds.
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Is White Pocket better than The Wave?+
Many visitors say yes — it's a matter of taste. White Pocket has more variety: polished Brain Rocks, red and white swirling formations, and dramatic color contrasts. The Wave has more refined symmetry and the famous U-shaped troughs. Neither requires the other to be worthwhile.
Can I visit both The Wave and White Pocket on the same day?+
Technically possible but not recommended. The Wave is a full-day hike on its own. White Pocket deserves several hours to explore. A better approach: Wave one day, White Pocket the next (with a guide for White Pocket's sandy access road).
Can I enter Buckskin Gulch without a permit?+
No — a self-pay day-use permit is required for Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass Canyon. The fee is paid at the kiosk near the trailhead (currently $6/person). This is not a lottery — you can go whenever the trailhead is accessible.