After years of trying to apply for a permit, our group finally got picked! Highly recommend hiking at least once. I wouldn't do it again though, mainly because of how hard it was to get a permit. We visited in April and the weather was fantastic. It was actually freezing in the morning but as the sun rose, it warmed up to the point where we would sweat a little when hiking. I can't even imagine doing this in the summer but if you win the lottery then, make sure everyone brings plenty of water. To get to the trailhead, I'd recommend having a high-clearance vehicle, especially if it just recently rained. The road off of the freeway becomes unpaved and there are some ditches that can be flooded. Download an offline map of the trail and area for when you lose service. It gets spotty but you'll find reception every now and then. At the beginning, there are a couple of vault toilets. The trail itself is difficult to follow without an offline map. There's only a handful of signs pointing in a general direction. And until the Wave, we were pretty much the only people around. Considering only about 60 people are approved each day, it wasn't surprising, and honestly, kind of nice to be alone in nature. The Wave was everything we hoped for. We had clear, blue skies and that contrast with the red and orange rocks was beautiful. It looked exactly like the Windows background! There was even a pond further up with a ton of tadpoles. Besides the Wave, there's other neat waypoints to stop by but because we were tired, we didn't try for many of them. The only one we went out of our way for was the dinosaur tracks but it was anti-climatic. They just looked like larger chicken feet prints. Despite this hike being only about 6 miles round trip, it took pretty much the entire day. We stopped a lot to take pictures but also the landscape was difficult to hike. Lots of sand to walk through and lots of weird inclines to walk across, which kept our feet, knees, and legs at weird angles. There might have been easier pathways but as I said earlier, there's no clear indications of a trail. There was also a BLM worker at the Wave asking for the permit holders. If you hike without one and get caught, you'll get slapped with some steep fines. Drones are also not allowed! read more

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My friend won the online lottery for the permit 4 months in advance but after talking to the ranger, it seems that there's a good chance you can win the daily lottery since a lot of people cancel every day. It's easier if you have less people (like two people). Anyways, the orientation the day before was useful for weather and road conditions. The hike wasn't too bad, can be a bit steep in some parts but for the most part, not too much incline. It's moderate for the novice hiker but easy for an experienced hiker. For experienced hikers, probably can get to the Wave in 1 to 1.5 hours. For the inexperienced, it might take 2.5 to 3 hours. Either way, if you're planning to spend a lot of time at the Wave (some people take 2-3 hours for their extensive Instagram photoshoots haha), definitely go there early and spend all day there. I would definitely come back if I win the lottery! read more

The Wave at Coyote Buttes - Not crowded but some people hog this area for hours - Hiking Near Me

Plenty of parking. Lottery base permit, gives you ample of time to register and make arrangements. There are rangers that check your reservation and we saw people getting turned away. Make sure you have a permit. The road is very rugged, having a 4wheeler will make it easier to get to the destination. Close to Page where you can visit Horse Bend and Antelope Canyon. read more

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I had the chance to hike the Wave 6 years ago when they still sold 10 passes online for each day of the month. Everything is a lottery system now, either online or in person, for the 20 passes issued each day. Here's a link for the permits information and the link to apply. https://www.blm.gov/az/paria/index.cfm?usearea=CB The hike I did was 8 miles round trip but I did some exploring in the area to see other formations. For me, the trail is not difficult. It's simply a walk along some wonderful sandstone with a bit of an uphill climb. At the end, you need to walk up about 50 feet in elevation to get to the Wave itself. The formations here are simply stunning, It makes for great photography even for a point and shoot person like me. There are a couple of arches. I didn't hike to any of these because I had just gotten a cast off my arm and I didn't want another broken bone for awhile. Much of the way, you can just follow the steps of people who have gone before you. There's a trail of a kind across the sandstone. Sometimes, you'll have to hike across fine sand which is tiring. You won't see many people on this hike since only 20 people are allowed per day. This is a must do hike if you can get a permit. But, know your limitation and pick a better time of the year to go. Be aware that an elderly couple (she 68, he 70) died there this past week from dehydration and heat exhaustion. They had gotten one of the coveted permits at the lottery in person but they weren't prepared for the 100+ temperatures and didn't make it. read more

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It's said that The Wave is one of the most photographed landscapes in the United States. That may be so, but the place is in a rugged area in the middle of nowhere -- in Arizona, halfway between Kanab, Utah, and Page, Arizona -- and only 20 people are allowed in by the lottery system. On a recent visit to the BLM office west of Big Water, Utah, that issues the permits, I watched a German couple almost cry because they didn't win a slot after three days of participation in the lottery system. They flew from Germany to Arizona just for this and they were going to return home heartbroken. Although many others didn't win a slot, I got lucky. I was so excited that I got little sleep. Before dawn the next day, I was on the road and at the trail head in no time. The BLM provided a good map and cairns along the way provided additional assistance for the tough, but pleasurable hike. I was the first to reach The Wave and it was overwhelming to stand in the middle of mounds of uninhibited, sloppy, pulled salt-water taffy landscape. I pulled out my camera and tripod immediately and started running and snapping photos like a lunatic. This place is pornographic in its splendor with the colors and stripes and curves that tattooed themselves into my eye sockets. This mad ecstasy went on for hours before I was exhausted, satisfied, and ready to go to sleep. read more

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Such an amazing place! Did the hike on 1/31/18 morning. I was very lucky to have gotten a ticket from the in-person lottery. I was an idiot and didn't know that drawings were for entry on the next day. I thought if I had won a ticket from the 9AM drawing I could go straight to the Wave same day and start hiking. January does seem to provide better chances for walk-in permit, there were 20 entries (for 30 people) and ultimately I think 7 or 8 entries were drawn, that's a 35 - 40% winning probability. Even if you don't win, there are so many other things you could do around there: Bryce Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Zion, other things in the Grand Staircase area, Coyote Buttes South (I think you can walk in and get a permit with very high probability). After the drawing, the ranger asked everyone who won to stay behind and go over logistics and warnings. He warned that people have gotten lost and died, or hiked at night and fallen off the cliff, that the trail is largely unmarked and need good navigation skills, and to not trust the footprints/markers/gps and only trust the map guide that is provided at the drawing. All these warnings got me really worried since I'm usually pretty bad at navigation and I'm going to the Wave by myself. I ended up joining another couple and another single traveler (they were very experienced outdoors people as one was a park ranger and one was an outdoors guide before he retired). Overall, the map guide that BLM provided coupled with the iphone GPS were very good navigation tools. The weather wasn't too cold but was pretty windy at stretches of the hike. I took maybe around 1.5 hours to get to the Wave from the trailhead including picture time. Then I spent around 2.5 hours at the Wave, hiked up to the Top Arch and looking around a bit more. You don't need me to tell you how amazing the place is, everyone is just in awe of the beauty when we got there. The hike back only took about 1 hour, I did get slightly lost but I knew the landmarks that I needed to head for. I wish I could have spent more time there but I had messed up the logistics for the drawing so I had to leave for Vegas airport by noon. What a great once in a lifetime experience! read more

This was the most amazing experience I am glad we did it in November as that was warm enough. We hired a guide and had a blast The hike in was not particularly hard, although if you are not fit it will be hard. I would not do this hike in summer read more

Every once in awhile, the moon turns blue, the stars align, and for a moment...Lady Luck looks your way. You've seen it. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/i1GSlBcNqY7cdvaGoiysBQ?select=smT_uJMdmWvwLUjZIBDcjQ In a photo or a portrait, one time or another, you've seen that stunning shot of a part of Mother Nature so unreal, so perfect in its wildest splendor that it took your breath away. They call it, The Wave. Located in Vermilion Cliffs National Park, at the border of Utah and Arizona, The Wave is one of the most beautiful geological formations in the world, and is thus, one of the most photographed landscapes ever. Due to its overwhelming popularity and the delicate nature of the rock formations, the area is limited to only 20 people PER DAY. What does this mean? Simply put, in order to see this natural phenomenon, you need to enter a lottery 4 months in advance for a chance to win a permit, or take your chances the day before a hike, at the ranger station, against a group of 50 or more people with the possibility of coming all the way there and going home with nada. They say that when the lottery is active, there are over 3000 entries. 1 in 3000 chances of getting a permit, and we won the lottery for it. Priceless. 6 people are allowed per permit, so when the good news came, I rounded up a group of good friends to accompany me on the trip of a lifetime. The Wave is located in an area of vast wilderness where there are NO TRAILS, and navigation was done using a GPS. The hike to The Wave is 6 miles round trip through desert heat, rough terrain, and sand dunes. Not for the faint of heart, this hike is definitely for the adventurous. Ah, The Wave...months of planning and preparation came down to that one moment. After hours of hiking, we had arrived. Slowly but eagerly, we stepped into its gallery, where millions of years of iron deposits twist and blend to create a rainbow of orange, pink, and red swirls. At that moment, Mother Nature truly took my breath away. It is said that, "Time is not measured by clocks, but by moments." Surely, those were the moments of fond memories and true adventure. They are the moments that would stay in our hearts and last for a lifetime. read more

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This was by far the hardest backcountry permit I have applied for. It took me 5 or 6 attempts to finally win the lottery (it's a $5 fee every time you apply) and when the email came that I won, I really did feel like I won the lottery! I had finally figured out to go on the BLM website to apply for the permit at the end of the month, and it allows you to check the calendar and see how many people have applied for permits in particular days, so I picked 3 days that had the least amount of applicants, and it worked. The lottery process takes place 3 months ahead of time, they only allow 20 people per day, you can take a chance and show up to the BLM office in Kanab and try your luck with a walk thru permit. This hike is mostly flat, with some elevation gains thru some of the area, for the most part, it was easy. The red sand and red rocks made this hike hot, we did this October 30, and it was only 70 degrees out, but I got sunburnt and I worked up a sweat. How anyone could do this in the summer is beyond me. There is no shade and it gets to 110 degrees (not counting the extra heat the red rocks hold). If you have Vibrams, wear them. A large majority of the hike is sand, I ended up taking my shoes off and walking a mile or so barefoot (I had a ton of sand in my shoes, got tired of it). Bring lots of water. Lots. Snack, sunglasses, sunblock. BLM sent a very detailed map in the mail along with my permits, it included a road map to the trail head as well as a detailed map for the hike, that included pictures (many people get lost, GPS doesn't always work). This was great to check off the bucket list, but if you're not patient enough to go thru the lottery system, go to antelope canyon. read more

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Even though everybody raves about visting the wave. I think a much better site is cottonwood cove in south coyote buttes. Not that the wave is not spectacular in itself. Its really in a small condensed area that most people are fooled into thinking its a big expansive area from the photos. So if you do not win the lottery to the wave don't dismay if you have 4-wheel drive go visit south coyote buttes you will be more than amply rewarded. read more

The Wave at Coyote Buttes - the wave, after rainstorm - Hiking Near Me

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This was an amazing experience for a reasonably experienced hiker, though it is not one for people who want an easy hike. My photographs are by far some of my best ever. I loved the challenge of finding the Wave and some of the other locations around it like fatali's bone yard and the dinosaur tracks. This is an unmarked trail, though it's easy to find the Wave itself from foot prints in the sand. The rest of the sights require more to find. As such, you really should plan for this hike. I took a compass navigation class through REI, which was very helpful for finding my way around. I also bought a GPS device and saved the Google map for the area so I could access it and see my location even without service, which is spotty at best in the area. I also downloaded the GPS coordinates for everything I wanted to see and had a print out. Ooh, and i had the mail provided by BLM and a national geographic map of the area. And a few print outs of the satellite images for funsies. Most of my precautions for navigation ended up being redundant, but I'm so glad I took them. Why? Because even in October, it's hot. Really hot. Nearly 90, though it felt hotter because you're baking on brightly colored sandstone. The BLM permit correctly tells you to bring at least four liters (or one gallon) of water. We brought five liters and were only out from about 10 am to 4 pm. By the end, we would have been out of water had we not brought the extra liter. Please bring lots of water. There is usually no water to even purify within 16 miles of the Wave, although some times water collects in the Wave itself. But that's unreliable at best. The recommendation to bring water is not exaggerated. Also bring the standard first aid, pocket knife, head lamp, extra food, and space blanket just in case you get caught on a flash flood here. Or in case you get lost. Also, I recommend wearing long sleeves and pants. Nothing thick mind you. You will want to wear these things to cover up as much skin as you can. Dessert people, like many people on the Arab peninsula, Egypt, etc, wear such clothing to protect themselves from the sun. You should follow those practices here. You should also wear a hat and cover up your neck so you don't burn. And sunglasses are highly recommended because the sun is so bright. Otherwise, your eyes are likely to tear up and you'll trip on something because you're squinting. Finally, for those who complain about the lotto system, I can tell you that I whole heartedly agree with it, especially after going. The sandstone is fragile. The Wave would crumple if it had an onslaught of visitors. The Wave would also have been a less fun experience. You get to enjoy the Wave precisely because there aren't many people around. You actually get to take pictures alone in the Wave. You can enjoy the silence in the rest of the surroundings. Thank you BLM for being so strict. In sum, I highly recommend this hike for experienced hikers who can navigate by reading a map and using a compass. I also recommend honoring the lotto permit system. It's necessary to protect this special place and to keep the experience meaningful. read more

The Wave at Coyote Buttes - Me at the Wave! - Hiking Near Me

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An absolute pain to get a permit for this location - only 20 permits are issued per day (10 online, 3 months in advance via lottery and 10 via a walk-in lottery, a day before the permit day/ hiking day). I finally won a walk-in permit in August 2020, and got a chance to check it out. Was as fabulous as I had imagined - I started early (before sunrise) and the early morning light was incredible. BTW, if you get a permit to go there, do not just go to 'The Wave' - there are other features next to it that are spectacular. A lot of folks just visit 'The Wave' and then head back - big mistake. I did a short video of all the attractions one can see in that area - check it out at https://youtu.be/EIdJHt_3a3w. If you get a chance to go to 'The Wave', you will not be disappointed. Fantastic place. read more

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Just returned from my 3-day trip where I visited "the Wave." Amazing place to say the least. If you've never been there, let me break down to you how the process works. First, you'll need to get a permit to enter the trail and there are 2 different ways to get that permit: 1) enter an online lottery that's held once per month (for a date that's 4-months out) OR 2) physically show up at their Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah, for a chance to win a permit via a lottery for the next-day entry. Either way, it's a huge crapshoot whether you win it or not, good luck!! http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/arolrsmain/paria/coyote_buttes/permits.html Once you get your permit, you'll drive out to the parking lot via a dirt road (about an 1 hr 10 min from Kanab), leave your permit on the dashboard, and hike an UNMARKED trail from the parking lot about 4-5 miles to "the Wave." You are provided with a map how to get there but it's fairly easy to get lost right at the very end of the trail so pay close attention to landmarks around you (especially on the way back so you can return safely!). One thing that most people didn't mention on Yelp yet, is the hike ITSELF to the Wave is absolutely STUNNING. In a way, the journey to the Wave is better than the Wave itself. I mean, it is THAT good of a scenic hike. I am a frequent hiker and I was blown away by the trail's beauty. The Wave itself is stunning too, albeit it's rather small comparing to what I imagined it would be. Some tips to consider: Go EARLY to beat the heat!! Leave by 7am so you can get to the parking lot by 8am and get to the Wave around 10-11am. Remember, you still have to come back too and it gets unbearably hot there. Also, bring multiple layers of clothing (we got caught in a nasty rainstorm on the way back so rain jacket is a must), drive a 4x4 car because the trail to the parking lot in a rainstom gets completely muddy and you won't be able to leave (we got stuck in a mud a few times!!), bring TONS of water with you, plus some snacks for energy boost), bring a backpack to carry all of your stuff AND good hiking shoes (not tennis shoes) because you'll be hiking a total of 8-10 miles, depending how fast or slow you get there. Overall, hiking to the Wave and back was the best hike of my life. Not even kidding. You WILL love it. It is THAT good. P.S. Finally, I do NOT recommend this, but... I never saw anybody checking my permit while parking my car OR hiking so.... I'm sure SOME people hike to the Wave REGARDLESS whether they get this ridiculously "hard-to-get" permit or not. Granted, you need to know how to find "the Wave" because it's a maze out there and very easy to get lost, especially if it's your first time there. Just an FYI. read more

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Got really lucky by getting the permit. It is a really amazing place and no bigger than half a 100ft x 300ft. However it is really intense and mind-boggling. Amazing structures and definition. If you cannot get the permit, try going to South coyote bills as it is also beautiful there. https://www.ericewe.com/blog/the-wave-feast-your-eyes-and-satisfy-your-soul/ There are also places where you can look all fine toadstools which is about 20 minutes across the main road from the road. The vermilion area is amazing read more

Speculator views everywhere, and make sure to bring enough water. Breath-taking waves! read more

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liter the worst hike, the ending might be cool but the journey is such a strenuous hike. you have to even hike up a huge mountain at the end covered in hot to reach this wave. and it's so small and a let down it's not worth it at all. read more

Did the hike and overnight in Buckskin Gulch. Even if you don't win the lottery you can hike and see some amazing views of the SouthWest. You will not be disappointed. If you day hike fed go from Wire Pass trailhead which is far better than White House Trailhead. If you need to do some water crossings come prepared and speak to the park rangers. read more

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Amazing place!! It was the hardest hike of my life because I injured my lower back and ankle one week before going to The Wave. I hired a guide, I would never make it on my own. read more

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In July of 2013, 3 hikers (including a 27 year old girl) died whilst hiking The Wave. I went in late October. If you go during the summer, you simply MUST bring lots and lots and lots of water. I know it's heavy, but you won't regret it. There's nowhere to get water once you start hiking. No rivers, no streams, nothing like that. You must treat this hike very seriously. If you get a permit (some people don't bother), you'll also get a map with pictures advising you on which way to go. Please make sure to read it properly. If, for some reason, you must go during the summer, then it's in your best interests to leave as early as possible. It's about a 1.5 to 3 hour hike to the Wave one way for most people. Some people could do it quicker, some will take longer. Most people seem to stay at the Wave for about 2 hours or so. Ideally, you don't want to be hiking at any time when it's really hot. In the summer, that's pretty much all daylight hours. It also partially depends on what your body is used to. But do the math. In many respects, you need to be back at the car park by noon. But it depends. Different people want different things. Different people are more capable than others. Just be sure to plan a little bit, know your limitations, take plenty of water (food isn't so critical, although salty, chocolate type, high energy food might be good), wear proper footwear, use lots of lotion and bring a decent camera. Just to confirm somethings: If you go to the office and try your luck in the lottery, there are NOT 10 permits (or passes) issued per day. There are 10 PEOPLE allowed to win the lottery that day (11 under some circumstances). If the first permit is good for 6 people, and the second permit is good for 4 people, then that's a total of 10 people, and that's it for the following days hike. On the day we tried, there were 6 permits issued. The first was for 2 people (myself and my girlfriend. Yes, we were very, very lucky), the second was for 2 people, then 1 person, then 2 people, then 2 people and finally 2 people. That's 6 permits for 11 people. The cost is $7.00 per person (zero if you fail in the lottery). Dogs are allowed. They must go on your permit (they don't count towards the total of people), and I don't know if there's a charge or not. It's about 3 miles each way (if you don't get lost and wander all over the place). The car park is in Utah, and the Wave itself is in Arizona. We went in late October, and drank just over a gallon of water each. Needless to say, if you go in the summer, you'll need LOTS more water. If you've been to places like Zion, Bryce and Arches National parks, the hike to the Wave might be a bit boring. But that's subjective. If you have a choice, don't go in summer. I imagine that the heat is horrendous, but certainly the hotels are more expensive. The Wave itself is quite a bit smaller than I thought it'd be. If you've tried many times to get lucky in the lottery, and don't succeed, then if you just go to the Wave anyway, and you left early enough, you'd probably get away with it. Although you didn't hear that from me. I don't condone that, but we heard of some folks who tried 11 times in the daily lottery and didn't succeed. It wouldn't surprise me if some of them just tried going to the Wave anyway. If you do that, then you must be very careful about where you're going. Much of the hike is on sand, and you should be able to follow those tracks (but maybe not when there's snow around). However, some of the hike is over rock, and there are no tracks to follow. Lottery winners will get a good guide from the park service that has photos and text on it describing the route. I haven't checked myself, but I'm guessing that there are videos up on YouTube that give some idea of the route. Well, I've been asked to put up a link to my own videos (including the actual lottery itself) that I took on our trip (right now, the 20 videos are all on the first page, but they'll drop down the page list as I add more videos). Check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSO6d7zcJSw We heard of some people who got a permit for 2 people, but ended up in a group of 4. So 2 people got away with it. When we were near the end of the hike, there was a park employee sitting on one of the rocks checking up on people. This was at about 5 p.m. Apparently, those employees are only there in the afternoon. But things change, so who knows what it's going to be like in the future. Although some people will take the attitude of "so what if I'm caught after I've seen the Wave". Some, but not all, park employees have the authority to issue fines that can be as high as $1000.00. Although I never met anyone who'd actually heard of that happening, and I'm not sure of the legal practicalities of what happens if you are issued with a fine, especially overseas visitors. An employee did admit that if she does catch someone, she just tries to "shame them". read more

The American Southwest is truly spectacular. I am so glad I was able to experience such a magical place and especially thankful that The Wave was the grand finale of my Zion-Bryce-Antelope Canyon road trip. It is 100% worth the effort to enter either the online lottery (months prior) or the walk-in lottery (one day prior). We left Bryce Canyon early and stopped by the Kanab visitor center on our way to Antelope Canyon/Horseshoe Bend in order to enter the walk-in lottery. You are allowed to arrive anytime between 8:30 to 9AM to fill out your information and the lottery drawing takes place promptly at 9AM. (The bingo wheel drawing gave us a little preview of what was to come in Las Vegas - Lucky #3!!) Ten walk-in permits to visit The Wave are allotted for the following day. The process, from handing in our information to the lottery drawing to receiving our permits and the ranger explaining the hike, took a little more than an hour. The next day, we drove an hour from Page, AZ to the Wire Pass Trailhead. In order to get to the trailhead, you have to drive on a dirt road off of Hwy 89. Make sure you plan extra time for this drive. We drove a Hyundai sedan and it took us about 45 minutes of avoiding big rocks and getting through ditches on this dirt road (GPS estimated 25 minutes) to get to the trailhead. The hike was incredible. The hike is a pretty easy 6 mile round trip with minimal elevation gain. Because there were so few people, you feel like you are a modern day pioneer, exploring the deserts of the Southwest. As long as you follow the step-by-step directions that the ranger provides you, you will find The Wave. Along the way, you will see expanses of desert, walk through riverbanks, climb sand dunes, hike through plains, etc. Truly incredible - With minimal guidance and using natural landmarks to find your way, it was one of the most authentic adventures I've ever experienced. The Wave itself was unreal. I imagine being at The Wave to be similar to being on Mars. The area wasn't big but we spent about 3 hours exploring the area. You really have to see it to believe it. We were there on September 1 with forecasted showers in the late afternoon. We started our hike as early as we could and luckily, due to impending rain, it was cloudy and the weather stayed relatively cool. read more

First off...this is the most spectacular place I have been to. It is so beautiful and photogenic. I hope I get a chance to go back! My boyfriend and I took a chance by entering the walk-in lottery the day before we wanted to hike. The lottery takes place at the Kanab Visitor's Center at 9 am. You can get there anytime from 8:30 to 9 am to fill out your application to enter. At 9, the employee holds the lottery in a small bingo wheel where numbered balls are chosen at random until all 10 permits are given out. The process is fair and exciting! We were there at the end of August and 57 people showed up the day we entered. We didn't think we had much of a chance, but were SO ecstatic when we won! As soon as 10 people were called, the rest filed out and the 10 people stayed in the room to go over specifics of the hike. This part was very important and I am glad we had this opportunity to ask any questions and hear the helpful tips from the employee and our volunteer. Each day, a volunteer hikes the wave along with the permit holders to make sure everyone is safe and knows where to go. Our volunteer, Ken, was very informative and great to talk with! Now on to the hike! It is a 6 mile round trip hike that you access through a long dirt road. You are hiking over sand and sand stone so make sure you start as close to sunrise as possible because it gets HOT. It was only 91 degrees the day we hiked, but the hike back at 12:30 made us both sweat like crazy! You don't expect this, so make sure to bring a LOT of water!! It is essential! When you finally arrive at the wave, be prepared to stay a long time. Trust me, you will want to and we would have if we didn't have to drive back to California that afternoon. Take your nice camera and get every angle...you will be amazed at how photogenic this landmark is! Overall, I have been recommending this hike to everyone I know! It is something every person should see in their lifetime and I will consider myself truly lucky if I get to see it a second time...so worth it! read more

Difficult to get a permit. Oh so rewarding when we finally did!!! This place is incredible!!! Spent the whole day wandering the area. I can see the value of a guide. Please don't go without a permit. Be safe. Bring lots of water and electrolytes! read more

Yep this is as good as it gets. We arrived at the Ranger station in Kanab Ut to test our luck. After 3 days of waiting we got our permits.Jan 4th 2009 We started the hike in around 5am it was 16 degrees when we started and 19 when we finished. The trail was almost completely covered with snow. When we arrived it was breath taken. I have wanted to get here for about a year after a friend told me about it. During winter months make sure you have 4 wheel drive and chains to get to the trail head. Also make sure you dress warm. 10 permits are raffled each day at the ranger station. Maybe you'll get luck read more

I heard about The Wave two weeks before my family and I was set to go to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Something told me I had to enter the lottery and we had to try and go there, and since Kanab is only a five mile trip from our route to the Grand Canyon, we decided to go and find the lottery that morning. This meant leaving Las Vegas at 4:00 A.M. to make it to the drawing by 9:00 A.M. We were in the parking lot, after asking directions, by 8:45. Well I went into the building and my family waited in the car, because we knew we had no shot of getting in. While in the car my wife and kids heard about a couple who died the day before while hiking to The Wave, and when they heard the story there was no more information. Needless to say, they were a little freaked out. There were about 40 people there and 17 entries for the lottery so I did not like my odds. 9:00 rolled around, you can walk in at 8:59 and they will let you in the drawing, and they began to put the BINGO balls in the hopper and they began to draw numbers shortly thereafter. Believe it or not, our number was the first drawn! We were in! I ran out to the car and told my wife and kids, who at that time looked apprehensive about our little journey. The next day came and we were going to try and make it out there by sunrise. Sunrise was 6:15 A.M. but there was plenty of light before that so I would get out there in the summer by 5:45. Since we were coming from Las Vegas we had to leave our hotel room at 1:00 A.M (there is a one hour time difference between Nevada and Utah). We got there an hour late, so we started off at 7:15. To get to the trail head you have to go down an 8 mile long dirt road. Parts of it can get washed out a bit, and if it rained we would not have made it in our two-wheel drive car. I would recommend anyone going here rent a 4 wheel drive vehicle and something that can handle the bumps and rocks that populate this road. We headed out with our little map and had no trouble finding The Wave. The markers on the way out (used in the photos) were very easy to spot and then follow. I am overweight and out of shape, but I do walk my dog three miles every day and I also bike about four times a week. I would NOT do this hike if you are less fit than this. The hike out took us 1.5 hours. We were told it would take between 1-2 hours. It is three miles, but it is up sandstone hills, down through washes, in sand a lot of the way, and there is a nice little climb right before you get to The Wave itself. I felt like a Sherpa guide walking this route. The Wave is very cool. It is not as cool or awe-inspiring as the Grand Canyon, but it is unique, beautiful, and something I will treasure for the rest of my life. We brought in food and snacks and ate it at The Wave. We spent a little over an hour there, keep in mind the fact that two people died the day before freaked us out, and when a couple in front of us left their last words were that the hike back was "hell." Good times. The hike back was indeed more challenging than the hike there. We were also hiking on four hours of sleep. It started to get hot, and the images on our photo map were not as nice or defined as when we went out. We did get lost a bit on the third leg, we turned into a mountain pass a wee bit early, and that ate up and extra 20 minutes. Another couple turned the same place we did and when they were coming in we were able to let them know we had to go back down the little mountainside, and we had to go further out to circumvent the very large and trying hillside. The second to last leg was a bear because it was all uphill, although not a real steep grade, and most of it was in sand. You have to bust your behind to get through it. It was hot and there was no shade and the water we carried was warm and unappealing. We made our kids drink a lot of water. Finally we made it to the last leg which takes about 10 minutes to get back to your car. The path here is a wash and there is hard packed rocks and a very distinct trail to follow. The "trails" to the wave do not exist. There are no marked or well-defined trails. You tend to follow the most footprints in the sand. We did see three markers on the way back, but they were for going to The Wave. Was it worth it? Absolutely positively. I would do it again but I would honestly try for September or October or the April or May. In the winter it is cold and it snows and that would not be a bad thing for this hike either, although I hear you may need chains on your rental. You can also hire a guide to take you to The Wave and they do NOT need a lottery ticket. We were told by the guides to pack a cooler and cold water, and that was the best advice we got. When we got to our car the water was cold and wonderful and it quenched whatever thirst we had. Pack: 1 gallon of water, a compass, a cell phone, a whistle, a mirror, light clothing, sunblock, salty snacks, good shoes. read more

Better than what I saw online and would come back again. Like most of us, I have seen this place online more than once. But the real experience is better than a thousand words OR photos. I would come back again when possible to explore more spots. Can be very hot in the summer, icy in the winter, and muddy and impassible when wet. BE prepared. The trail, which was about 7 miles in my last trip, is not overly strenuous. But sand and ice can be a tricky combination. read more

My girlfriend and I have planned this excursion for well over a year. We realized that the online lottery was nearly impossible to pinpoint the dates we wanted so we chanced it and booked a couple nights in Kanab, UT in order to get into the lottery. We were ecstatic when we got it on the first try! I thought it was a little strange that they limit the numbers so much, but after the hike and seeing how fragile the sandstone is I'm glad they keep the numbers so low. GREAT JOB BLM! I'm sure you have all heard about the "dangerous hike" and terrible summer weather that you have to endure in order to get there. For a seasoned veteran in the hiking department it is not difficult but it is easy to see how people get lost out there. Most of the hike is over sandstone which gives little or no sign of where people have walked before you. Make sure you bring enough water! Although the temperature on thermometer may not show it a 91º day can quickly feel like a 110º real quick. Humidity in the summer and heat coming off the hot sand in certain areas can be brutal, and in some cases has caused fatalities. The wave itself is hands down the most amazing thing I have ever seen. It made some of my favorite scenic hikes seem uninspiring in comparison. The striping and shapes in the wave are like nothing I've ever come across, and photos do not do the place justice. I went primarily for photographs and it did not disappoint! You can not take a bad photo here. From the beautiful deep blue sky, puffy clouds, and red rock even in the hight of the day photos still pop with great contrast and amazing color. I cannot stress enough that this is the most beautiful place I have ever visited. I will be back... hopefully if the lottery allows. GO GO GO GO GO!!! read more

Yay!! Won the walkin lotto pick. Nice 10 miles round trip hike. I'm glad they limit the numbers of visitors. Keeps the fragile landscape intact for generations to come. Good job BLM! Suggest any season except for summer. Its gets HOT! Not for beginners, you can get lost for hours and by time they find you, you might be dead. read more

Out of all the hikes I've done this has to be my favorite! The photos you see on the internet just don't do this place justice. It's soon much more amazing in person. You really need to take time out of your life to experience this place. read more

The Wave is absolutely spectacular no matter what time of year you see it, but it's particularly breathtaking in the winter offseason. And far easier to get permits! For most, the trek is also much more enjoyable. Summer temperatures can exceed a suffocating 100 degrees, and that coupled with little to no shade can make for an unbearably uncomfortable hike with a huge risk of dehydration. Winter temperatures, however, are generally cool and (an added bonus) snow on the ground captures footprints--a great navigational tool in times of uncertainty that is made impossible by Paria Canyon's solid and rocky terrain any other time of year. No matter what time of year you go, be sure to check out the following guide--it's a very helpful list of insider tips and overlooked pieces of information that I wish I had known beforehand! http://www.travelsages.com/2014/01/27/hiking-arizonas-iconic-wave-the-winter-survival-guide/ read more

Although others mentioned about the lottery, I wanted to add to the info to be sure that you understand how it works so you won't be disappointed. Unfortunately, we didn't realize and did not get to see the Wave (so stars don't mean much here, but based on the pictures I'm sure the place is awesome)...[and we didn't see the suggestion to go to Cottonwood Cove, but we don't have a 4 wheel drive anyway]. Please make sure that you understand that this is how it is (as of September 2010). There are NO exceptions. You put in your name the day before,,, for hiking the FOLLOWING day. Don't expect to drive there and go right in the day you arrive. Only 10 names are drawn (presumably for a pair of entries). If you're wondering about the reasoning, the ranger told us they are trying to preserve the area the best they can, and this is how they limit the damage to the nature here. Fortunately, we were not to the point of tears, and made the best of it by going to the Coral Pink Sand Dune State Park and climbing the sand dunes there. Not nearly as impressive, but fun and about 30 minutes' drive away. read more

Yes, "The Wave" (when did they start calling it that?) is bitchin' and worth seeing, bt don't be fooled into thinking it is a one-of-a-kind formation. Capitol Reef National Park has something very similar -- only nobody knows it's there, not even most people who work at the park. There is another spot soth of the Kaiparowits, and another near Cook's Mesa. All yo gotta do is look on the geologic maps for large areas of exposed Navajo sandstone and start hiking. Dring the 10+ years I lived in soth-central tah, we fond a lot of similar spots. Bt if yo don't mid tons of people milling arond, by all means check ot the coyote bttes. Bt do it on a clear, windless day in the winter off-season and get the place to yorself. I was there on a clodless, windless day in Janary, late 80's, and we were in tee shirts. read more