The Wave Lottery & Permit Guide: How to Get a Coyote Buttes North Permit

Dreaming of seeing The Wave in Arizona’s Coyote Buttes North? This world-famous sandstone formation sits inside the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness on the Arizona-Utah border — and it’s one of the most protected hiking areas in the Southwest. To hike here, you must win a Coyote Buttes North permit, commonly called The Wave permit. It’s issued only through two official lotteries, and demand is sky-high. In this guide, we explain how both lotteries work — the Advanced and Daily Geofence Lottery — plus current rules, fees, application windows, pickup locations, and smart ways to increase your odds. Chris and I have entered these lotteries many times and finally won, so we know exactly what it takes to make your dream hike happen.

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What Is The Wave Permit and Why You Need It

The Wave is part of the Coyote Buttes North area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It’s a delicate sandstone landscape shaped by wind and water over millions of years. Because the rock is extremely fragile, visitor numbers are tightly limited to protect it from damage.

To hike The Wave, you must have a Coyote Buttes North day-use permit — no exceptions. Permits are required year-round and are valid for one day only. Overnight camping, drones, and commercial filming are prohibited.

Each day, up to 64 people or 16 groups (whichever comes first) are allowed to enter the area. Those spots are split between two lotteries:

• 48 people / 12 groups through the Advanced Lottery
• 16 people / 4 groups through the Daily Geofence Lottery

Without a valid permit, entering The Wave can result in fines and a ban from future BLM permits. Rangers patrol the area daily, checking hikers for identification and valid paperwork.

Our Experience

Chris and I know firsthand how hard it can be to win The Wave permit. Over the years, we’ve entered both versions of the lottery — the old walk-in lottery in Kanab (which no longer exists) and the current online system. During one stay in southern Utah, we showed up to the Kanab draw for 14 days straight and never won. Later, after many more online attempts, we finally got lucky through the Advanced Lottery.

That experience taught us a lot. We learned how the new system differs from the old one, what actually increases your odds, and how important it is to plan your dates months in advance. In this guide, we’ll share the up-to-date 2026 rules and step-by-step details to help you secure your own permit — without the confusion we faced in the past.

As we finally made it, we’re sharing the best practices to help you do the same — and if you win, make sure to read our detailed guide with tips on hiking The Wave to prepare for your adventure.

Overview of the Two Lotteries

As of 2026, there are two official ways to obtain a permit for The Wave in Coyote Buttes North — both managed through Recreation.gov.

Each day, up to 64 visitors or 16 groups (whichever comes first) are allowed to enter the area. Permits are divided between two systems:

• Advanced Lottery (48 people / 12 groups) — for hikers who plan their trip months ahead.
• Daily Geofence Lottery (16 people / 4 groups) — for those already in the area who want a last-minute chance.

The old walk-in lottery in Kanab was discontinued in 2022 and replaced by the new Daily Geofence Lottery. You can no longer apply in person at the BLM office.

Both lotteries require an online account on Recreation.gov, and both charge non-refundable application fees. Winners must pay a small recreation fee and attend a mandatory safety briefing before hiking.

Advanced Lottery (Apply Four Months Ahead)

If you like to plan early, the Advanced Lottery is your best option. It lets you apply up to four months before your hiking date, giving you time to organize travel and lodging once you win.

This lottery covers 48 people or 12 groups per day. Applications are accepted for an entire calendar month, and the draw happens on the first day of the following month at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time.

For example, if you want to hike on any date in May, you can apply anytime between January 1 and January 31. The drawing will take place on February 1, and winners will receive email notifications shortly after.

Application Steps

1. Create a Recreation.gov account. Every participant, including up to three alternates, must have their own account.
2. Apply during the correct month. You can choose up to three preferred dates in your application.
3. Pay the $6 non-refundable application fee.
4. Wait for the results. If you win, you’ll pay a $7 recreation fee per person or dog, confirm your group details, and complete the required information online.
5. Watch your mail. Permits are typically sent 4–6 weeks before your hike by the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument office.

Important Rules

• You can submit only one application per month.
• If you list alternate permit holders, they cannot submit separate applications for that same month.
• Permits are non-transferable and non-refundable. Only the main holder or listed alternates may use them.
• Everyone, including infants and dogs, must be listed on the permit.

The Advanced Lottery remains highly competitive, but it gives you the best control over your travel schedule. Many hikers apply month after month until they finally win — just like we did.

Daily Geofence Lottery (Apply Two Days Ahead)

If you didn’t win the Advanced Lottery, you still have one more chance — the Daily Geofence Lottery. This system replaced the old in-person Kanab lottery in 2022 and is designed for travelers already near the area.

To see how this stop fits into a bigger plan, check our full Arizona itinerary and travel guide.

How It Works

You can only enter this lottery if you are physically located within a specific region near The Wave. This area — called a geofence — includes towns such as Kanab, Page, Big Water, Fredonia, and Jacob Lake (Arizona and Utah border). The Recreation.gov mobile app uses your phone’s GPS to verify your location. Desktop computers won’t work.

The Daily Geofence Lottery issues permits for 16 people or 4 groups per day.

Application Timeline

• Day 1: Apply between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. local time, two days before your desired hiking date, using the Recreation.gov mobile app.
• Day 1 evening: Results are emailed around 7:15 p.m. local time.
• Day 2: If you win, pay the $7 recreation fee per person or dog by 8:00 a.m., then pick up your permit in person at 8:30 a.m. at one of two locations:
  • Kanab Center: 20 N 100 E, Kanab, Utah
  • Page–Lake Powell HUB: 48 S Lake Powell Blvd, Page, Arizona
• Day 3: Hike The Wave on your assigned date.

Tips for Success

• Make sure location services are enabled on your phone before you apply.
• You must be inside the geofence area for the entire application period.
• Stay flexible. Weather or road conditions may delay your hike, so plan to be in the area for at least a few days.

The Geofence Lottery is perfect if you’re already traveling through southern Utah or northern Arizona and can adjust plans quickly. It’s also less competitive in winter months, giving spontaneous travelers a real shot.

Tips to Improve Your Odds to Win The Wave Permit

Getting a permit for The Wave in Coyote Buttes North is tough — thousands apply every month. But after years of trying (and finally winning), we’ve learned a few strategies that actually help improve your chances.

1. Be Flexible with Dates

When you apply for the Advanced Lottery, you can choose up to three possible hiking dates in one application. Don’t limit yourself to weekends — weekdays usually have fewer applicants.

2. Try Multiple Months

If you don’t win the first time, keep trying. You can apply every month until you succeed. Many people win only after several attempts, and persistence really pays off.

3. Aim for the Off-Season

The Wave is most competitive in spring and fall when the weather is perfect. Fewer people apply in December, January, or February, which means your odds are better. Just prepare for cold mornings, shorter days, and the possibility of icy spots.

4. Keep Groups Small

Lottery spots are assigned to people or groups, whichever comes first. Smaller groups are easier to fit into the daily quota, which can slightly improve your odds.

5. Use Both Lotteries

Even if you plan ahead and apply for the Advanced Lottery, also try the Daily Geofence Lottery once you’re in the area. Some hikers win their second chance just days before visiting.

6. Be Ready When You Win

Winners have limited time to pay and confirm their permits. Check your email (and spam folder) around the draw time and respond right away. Delays can forfeit your permit.

7. Learn the Rules Before You Apply

Read through the Recreation.gov permit instructions carefully. Errors — such as duplicate entries, wrong dates, or unverified alternates — can disqualify your application.

8. Stay Nearby

If you plan to enter the Daily Geofence Lottery, base yourself in Kanab or Page for a few days. Both towns fall inside the geofence and make it easy to reapply if you don’t win on the first try.

Even with these tips, getting a Wave permit still takes luck. But smart planning and patience give you a much better shot.

Rules You Must Know Before Hiking The Wave

Winning The Wave permit is exciting, but it also comes with responsibilities. The area is fragile and closely monitored, so make sure you understand these key rules before your hike.

1. Permit and ID Required

You must carry your Coyote Buttes North permit and a valid photo ID at all times. Rangers regularly check hikers along the trail and at the formation.

2. Day-Use Only

Permits are valid for one day only. Camping overnight at The Wave or along the trail is not allowed. Plan your hike early to make the most of daylight hours.

3. Group Limits

Your hiking group must match the people listed on your permit. Adding or swapping names later is not allowed. Everyone — including infants and dogs — must be listed.

4. No Drones

Drones and other aerial devices are strictly prohibited in Coyote Buttes North and the surrounding Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

5. Stay on Durable Surfaces

Walk on rock or in sandy washes whenever possible. Avoid stepping on fragile biological soil crusts — they take decades to recover.

6. Leave No Trace

Pack out everything you bring, including food scraps and tissues. There are no trash bins or toilets along the trail.

7. Follow Weather Warnings

Flash floods and extreme heat are real dangers in this area. Always check the weather before driving House Rock Valley Road or starting your hike.

Breaking permit rules can result in heavy fines, loss of future lottery eligibility, and even bans from all BLM-managed lands. Respecting the rules helps protect this extraordinary landscape for everyone.

What to Do If You Don’t Win The Wave Lottery

If you don’t win the lottery, don’t be discouraged — this part of the Southwest is packed with incredible landscapes that don’t require a permit. Chris and I spent several days exploring the area while waiting for our lottery results, and we found plenty of places just as photogenic and far less crowded.

Coyote Buttes South

This area lies within the same wilderness as The Wave but has its own permit system, which is much easier to get. The rock formations of Coyote Buttes South are stunning — colorful swirls, domes, and ridges that look otherworldly. You can reach it from either House Rock Valley Road or the Cottonwood Cove trailhead.

Buckskin Gulch

The Buckskin Gulch is the longest slot canyon in the world and one of our favorite hikes in Utah. The trail starts from the same Wire Pass Trailhead used for The Wave. It doesn’t require a lottery, but you do need a simple day-use permit available online or at the trailhead.

The Nautilus

A short, easy the Nautilus hike near Page, Arizona, leading to a smooth, spiral-shaped sandstone formation carved by wind and water. It’s often empty, yet incredible for photos.

Paria Rimrocks Toadstool Hoodoos

Between Kanab and Page, these surreal mushroom-shaped rocks are easy to reach and perfect for a short hike.

Great Chamber at Cutler Point

An enormous sandstone alcove near Kanab that’s accessible only with a high-clearance vehicle or by guided tour. The sweeping view from inside the Great Chamber is unforgettable.

Even without a Wave permit, this region is one of the most photogenic corners of the Southwest. Bring your camera, explore a few of these trails, and keep trying the lottery — your lucky day might be next.

Final Thoughts

Seeing The Wave in Coyote Buttes North is a true privilege. The permit system may seem complicated, but it’s what protects one of the most fragile and beautiful landscapes in the American Southwest.

If you’re planning your trip for 2026, start early, stay flexible, and keep trying both lotteries. We know the waiting can be frustrating — we’ve been there — but when you finally stand among those red and golden sandstone curves, every attempt will feel worth it.

If you have questions about the permit process or need help planning your Southwest itinerary, feel free to drop a comment below or reach out through our contact page. We’re always happy to share what we’ve learned from our own experiences.

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