Recreation.gov · Bureau of Land Management
The Wave Permit Lottery
64 permits per day. Thousands of applicants. Two ways to enter. This is everything you need to know — odds, timing, both lottery types, and what happens if you don't win.
This site does not sell permits and is not affiliated with the Bureau of Land Management or Recreation.gov. All permits must be obtained through Recreation.gov. Hiking Coyote Buttes North without a permit carries fines exceeding $1,000 per person.
At a glance
Total daily permits
64
Advance lottery
48
Walk-in lottery
16
Max group size
6
Sourced from legacy site (June 2025). Always verify current fees, times, and mechanics at Recreation.gov before your trip.
The two lottery types
Advance lottery
48 permits/day
- Apply online at recreation.gov — no app required
- Submit up to 3 date choices
- Drawings held the 1st of each month
- For dates ~4 months out
- Available from anywhere in the world
Walk-in lottery
16 permits/day
- Recreation.gov mobile app only (no desktop)
- Apply 2 days before your desired hike date
- Must be in Page or Kanab geofence
- $9 non-refundable fee
- Results after 7:15 PM
The odds — and what they mean
The BLM does not publish daily applicant counts, but the data we can observe paints a clear picture: the odds are bad, and they've been getting worse as The Wave has grown in popularity.
Peak season
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Thousands of applicants per day for 16 walk-in spots. Odds can be 1:200 or worse.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Hot — 100°F+
Fewer applicants. Better odds. Grueling hike. Start before 5 AM or don't go.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold, possible snow
Fewest applicants. Best odds. Trail may be icy. Dramatic photography.
Shoulder (Jun, late Nov)
Variable
Moderate competition. Weather unpredictable. Good value window.
There is no reliable trick to improve your odds. Applying multiple days in a row while staying in Page or Kanab is the only practical approach — some visitors apply every day of a 5-day trip. Build your itinerary around alternatives; treat The Wave as a potential bonus.
Timeline: advance lottery
Didn't win? There's a genuine Plan B.
White Pocket, Buckskin Gulch, South Coyote Buttes, and guided alternative tours are not consolation prizes. Many repeat visitors to the area say they prefer the alternatives. Build them into your trip now — before you know the lottery results.
Frequently asked questions
How many Wave permits are there per day?+
64 total — 48 through the advance lottery and 16 through the walk-in lottery. This limit has been in place for years to protect the fragile sandstone from overuse.
Do I have to be physically in Page or Kanab to apply?+
For the walk-in lottery: yes. The Recreation.gov app uses your device's GPS to verify you're inside the geofenced area around Page, AZ or Kanab, UT. For the advance lottery: no — you can apply online from anywhere in the world.
Can I apply for the same date in both lotteries?+
No — if you've applied for a date in the advance lottery and also try the walk-in lottery for the same date, you are not eligible to receive a walk-in permit for that date. You can apply for different dates via the walk-in lottery.
What happens if the lottery results show 'not selected'?+
Your $9 application fee is not refunded. You may immediately apply again for a different date via the walk-in lottery. The advance lottery results can be used to try again in the following month's drawing.
Is there any way to transfer or sell a Wave permit?+
No. Permits cannot be transferred, sold, or gifted. The names on the permit must match the IDs of the people on the trail. BLM rangers check both.