Western Basecamp · Kanab, UT 84741
Kanab, Utah
The western gateway to The Wave — and the closest town to the trailhead. If you're approaching from Zion, Las Vegas, or Salt Lake City, Kanab is your natural basecamp. It's also where you pick up your lottery permit.
To The Wave
~1 hr 15 min / ~60 mi
Permit pick-up
BLM Kanab (primary)
To Zion NP
~40 min west
To Bryce Canyon
~1 hr northeast
To Page, AZ
~1 hr east via US-89
Nearest airport
Cedar City (CDC, ~1 hr)
Permit Pick-Up: Why Kanab Is the Primary Location
Kanab is the BLM's primary pick-up point for both the advance lottery and the walk-in lottery permits. The BLM Kanab Field Office is where most permit winners pick up their physical permit the morning before (advance) or the afternoon before (walk-in).
Walk-in lottery applicants submit in person at the BLM Kanab office or via the Recreation.gov app by 6:00 PM the day before their desired hike date. Results are released at 7:15 PM. Winners must accept by 8:00 AM the following morning and pick up their permit by 8:30 AM. See the full walk-in process →
Walk-in strategy tip: Base yourself in Kanab the night before your target hike date. Submit your walk-in lottery by 6:00 PM, get your results at 7:15 PM, and if you win — pick up at the Kanab BLM office by 8:30 AM and be at the trailhead by 10:00 AM with time to spare.
Getting to The Wave from Kanab
From Kanab, head east on US-89 toward Page. After approximately 30 miles, turn south onto House Rock Valley Road — the signed unpaved road leading to the Wire Pass Trailhead. The trailhead is about 8 miles down the road.
Road warning: House Rock Valley Road is unpaved clay that becomes extremely slippery after rain. After picking up your permit, call the BLM Kanab office (435-644-1200) to confirm current road conditions before driving out. A closed road means your permit is wasted.
What Else to Do from Kanab
Kanab sits at the intersection of some of the Southwest's most spectacular national parks. Whether or not you win a Wave permit, you have extraordinary options within a short drive.
Zion National Park
~40 min west
America's most-visited canyon park. Angels Landing, The Narrows, Canyon Overlook Trail, and the famous Zion–Mt. Carmel Highway. Shuttle system runs spring through fall — plan accordingly.
Bryce Canyon National Park
~1 hr northeast
The world's largest concentration of hoodoos. Sunrise and sunset are the magic hours here. Rim Trail and Queen's Garden are accessible without a reservation most of the year.
Grand Staircase–Escalante NM
Borders Kanab to the east
50,000+ square miles of canyons, arches, and wilderness. Escalante River canyons, Coyote Gulch, and Cottonwood Canyon Road. This monument essentially begins at the edge of Kanab.
White Pocket
~1 hr 30 min
No-permit alternative to The Wave with wild polished Brain Rocks and swirling sandstone. Requires 4WD or a guided tour. Kanab is the closer and more practical basecamp for White Pocket.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
~15 min north
Utah's only sand dune state park. Coral-colored dunes up to 590 feet tall, formed by eroding Navajo sandstone. OHV rentals on-site, or explore on foot. Easy half-day outing from Kanab.
Buckskin Gulch
~1 hr 15 min
The longest slot canyon in North America, starting from the same trailhead as The Wave. Self-pay permit (~$6/person). Easy alternative if you don't win a Wave permit.
Book a Tour from Kanab
Preferred Guide Partner · Kanab-Based
Kanab Tour Company
Kanab-based outfitter with guided Wave tours (permit required), White Pocket day tours, and backcountry alternative tours. Phone: 435-644-5525
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Wave permit pick-up in Kanab?+
The BLM Kanab Field Office is the primary permit pick-up location for both advance and walk-in lottery winners. Confirm the exact address (on S Kanab Creek or nearby — has moved in past years) in your Recreation.gov confirmation email. Pick-up for advance permits is the afternoon before your hike; walk-in permit pick-up is by 8:30 AM the morning of the hike.
Is Kanab closer to The Wave than Page?+
Yes — approximately 60 miles (~1 hr 15 min) from Kanab versus 78 miles (~1 hr 20 min) from Page. The difference is small but Kanab is the preferred basecamp for walk-in lottery entrants because it's the primary pick-up point.
What is there to do in Kanab if I don't win the Wave permit?+
Kanab is arguably the best-positioned town in Utah for day trips. From here you can visit Zion (40 min), Bryce Canyon (1 hr), Grand Staircase–Escalante, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, White Pocket, Buckskin Gulch, and the Arizona Strip. Few trips to The Wave area fail to find something extraordinary even without a Wave permit.
Is Kanab a good base for Zion AND The Wave on the same trip?+
Yes. This is one of the most popular itinerary combinations. Spend 1–2 days in Zion, then drive east on Zion's Scenic Byway to Kanab (~40 min). From Kanab, enter the Wave lottery for 1–2 days while doing day trips to White Pocket, Buckskin Gulch, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes.