The Wave is one of the most iconic hikes on the planet and has become a symbol of the American Southwest. Its insanely beautiful sandstone patterns and remote setting have made it a bucket-list destination for hikers and photographers from around the world.
About the Permit System
Access to The Wave is controlled by a highly restrictive permit system that limits daily visitation to a very small number of people. Permits are issued through a lottery with extremely low odds, an expensive fee that is nonrefundable and for most visitors, gaining legal access is unlikely no matter how many times they apply.
While The Wave is undeniably impressive, Canyon Country Outdoors does not actively promote it as a destination. The current permit system has turned the experience into a numbers game that favors persistence and luck over planning, exploration, and self-guided discovery. Rather than encouraging visitors to chase an improbable permit, this guide focuses on places that can be explored responsibly, legally, and without years of repeated applications and expense.
The region surrounding The Wave contains many equally compelling destinations, many of which require no permits and see a fraction of the visitation. These places offer the same geological character, solitude, and sense of exploration that once defined The Wave experience without the gatekeeping.
Alternate Hikes without a Lottery
White Pocket
Powell’s Monument
Wire Pass
If you decide to try your luck
The Wave Daily Lottery: https://mobile.recreation.gov/permits/4251909
Coyote Buttes South Daily Lottery: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251911