The Best Way To Secure Your Permit For Arizona's Iconic Landmark 'The Wave'

Arizona's northern region offers an unparalleled playground and is a unique hiking paradise for outdoor adventurers, where each step unveils landscapes shaped by millions of years of natural artistry. This arid expanse, known for its glowing sandstone cliffs and striking rock formations, is like a living canvas painted by wind, water, and time. From the awe-inspiring depths of the Grand Canyon to the sculpted elegance of Monument Valley, the Arizona desert has a way of inspiring wonder. Hikers are often drawn to this region not only for its surreal beauty, but also for the chance to experience the solitude and serenity of nature at its peak. Among Arizona's treasures, few are as iconic or elusive as The Wave.

Nestled in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness near the Arizona-Utah border, The Wave is a surreal sandstone formation that seems to ripple like an ocean set in stone. Its swirling bands of orange, dusty pink, and sandstone red have been sculpted over millions of years by the relentless forces of wind and rain. This undulating masterpiece, located in the Coyote Buttes North section of the park, is a breathtaking view that should be on your bucket list. But it is accessible only by foot, and there's a permit system that severely limits the number of people allowed. With a limited capacity to just 64 visitors per day, the exclusivity adds to the mystique, but also creates a massive hurdle to leap before experiencing the beauty of The Wave.

To preserve the delicate ecosystem of The Wave and its surrounding areas, the Bureau of Land Management strictly limits access to a small number of visitors each day. Permits are granted through two lotteries: an advanced lottery and a daily lottery. The advanced lottery opens four months before your intended hike date. You'll need to submit a $6 application on reacreation.gov, with the entire month to do so. Winners are notified on the first day of the following month via email. If you're lucky enough to win, you'll have 14 days to confirm your spot by paying the $7 permit fee per person in your group. The physical permit will be mailed to you, and you must bring it with you on your hike — it's your golden ticket to this natural wonder.

If you can't score an advanced permit, or you'd rather spontaneously apply, the daily lottery offers a last-minute option. Applications open two days before the hike date and must be submitted through the reacreation.gov mobile app (desktop computers wont work). This lottery is geofenced, meaning you must be physically present in northern Arizona or southern Utah to apply. Applications are accepted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and winners are announced by 7:15 p.m. the same day. Winners must confirm no later than 8 a.m. the following morning, attend a safety briefing, and pick up their permits. This process requires quick planning, but is an excellent option for those already in the region.

Since demand greatly exceeds supply, you'll want to improve your odds of exploring one of the top natural wonders in the States. Apply during the off-season months of December through February, when competition for permits is lower. Mid-January, in particular, offers the best chances, as data from previous lotteries shows daily permits during this time have a higher success rate. In contrast, the peak months of March through May and September through October are much more competitive, with applications reaching as high as 300 per day. 

Permits are nontransferable, except for up to three alternate permit holders listed on the application. Since each person can only apply to the advanced lottery system once per month, it's wise for each member of your group to submit a separate application to increase the odds of winning. Just be sure not to list each other as alternates, as this can disqualify overlapping applications. During the application process, you can submit up to three preferred hiking days. By choosing multiple dates within the application window, you can maximize your odds of landing a highly coveted ticket. Overall, thoughtful planning and coordination among group members can significantly enhance your likelihood of securing permits to the breathtaking beauty and solitude of the iconic Arizona landmark The Wave.