Permits via Recreation.gov only
Self-Guided Wave Permit
Getting the permit is the hardest part of hiking The Wave. Here's exactly how the walk-in and advance lotteries work — no guesswork.
Do not enter Coyote Buttes North without a permit.
BLM rangers patrol the area and check permits on the trail. Fines exceed $1,000 per person and jail time has been imposed. Permits are only available through Recreation.gov — not this site.
At a glance
Total daily permits
64
Advance lottery
48
Walk-in lottery
16
App fee (non-refund)
$9
Permit fee (if won)
$7/person
Max group size
6
Sourced from legacy site (June 2025). Always verify current fees, times, and mechanics at Recreation.gov before your trip.
Walk-in lottery — step by step
The walk-in lottery is entered via the Recreation.gov mobile app, two days before your desired hike date. You must be physically inside the geofenced area around Page, AZ or Kanab, UT when you apply.
3+ days before
Download the Recreation.gov app
Download on a smartphone or tablet — desktops cannot be used. Do this at least 3 days before your planned hike date so you have time to create or verify your account.
2 days before, 6:00 AM–6:00 PM
Enable location services and apply
On the day that is 2 days before your hike date, enable location detection on your device. Open the app, search "Coyote Buttes North Daily Lottery (The Wave)", and submit your application between 6:00 AM–6:00 PM Utah/Navajo Nation Time. A non-refundable $9 application fee is charged. Have your vehicle make, model, and license plate ready.
After 7:15 PM
Wait for results
Check your email for results after 7:15 PM. If you win, log back into Recreation.gov to officially accept the permit and pay $7/person. You must do this by 8:00 AM (following day). Failing to accept forfeits the permit.
8:30 AM (day before hike)
Pick up your permit and attend the safety briefing
At 8:30 AM (day before hike), appear in person at the pickup location you chose when applying. Attend the mandatory safety briefing — you'll receive trail maps, directions to the Wire Pass Trailhead, and answers to last-minute questions. Arriving late forfeits your permit.
Permit pick-up locations
Kanab
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Visitor Center (BLM)
745 East Highway 89, Kanab, UT 84741
435-644-5033
Effective July 7, 2025
Page
Page/Lake Powell Hub Tourist Information Center
48 S. Lake Powell Boulevard, Page, AZ 86040
928-608-5749
⏰ All times are Utah/Navajo Nation Time. Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time — check which timezone applies to your location.
Advance online lottery
The advance lottery is drawn monthly for dates approximately four months out. This is the path for international visitors or anyone who needs to book flights and accommodation in advance.
- Apply at recreation.gov/permits/274309
- Drawings are held the first of each month; results emailed shortly after
- Submit up to three date choices per application period
- No geofence requirement — apply from anywhere
Competition is intense year-round. Shoulder seasons (November–February) historically have fewer applicants. There are no tricks — odds improvement strategies are largely myth. Good luck.
Pro tip: have a Plan B before you apply
The vast majority of applicants don't win. Build your itinerary around White Pocket, Buckskin Gulch, or a guided alternative — and treat The Wave as the bonus, not the plan.
Find your Plan B alternatives →Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the walk-in lottery even if I didn't apply for the advance lottery?+
Yes. The walk-in lottery is completely independent. You can enter it without ever having applied for the advance lottery.
What happens if I miss the 8:00 AM acceptance deadline?+
Your permit is automatically forfeited. The permit cannot be reinstated. You would need to re-enter the walk-in lottery for a different date.
Can my tour guide apply for the permit on my behalf?+
Some tour companies do apply for permits as part of their service, with contingency plans if permits aren't awarded. Ask your tour company before booking. Permits are still attached to individual visitors, not tour operators.
Is there any way to buy or transfer a Wave permit?+
No. Permits cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. The person(s) listed on the permit must be the ones who show up. BLM rangers check IDs on the trail.