As of November 2026, the wave lottery is the only way to get a permit for Coyote Buttes North, home of The Wave. Apply four months ahead through the advanced lottery or two days ahead through the daily lottery. A permit is required, costs $7 per person or dog if awarded, and is non-refundable.
What is The Wave lottery?
The Wave lottery is the permit system for hiking Coyote Buttes North in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
The Bureau of Land Management manages this fragile sandstone area with a daily visitor cap, not a first-come stampede at the trailhead. As of November 2026, you must have a permit to enter Coyote Buttes North, and BLM says the permit area is undeveloped wilderness with no developed trails or facilities. The suggested route to The Wave is a strenuous 6.4-mile [10.3 km] round-trip hike that requires route-finding skills, according to the official BLM Coyote Buttes North page.
There are two lottery doors:
- Advanced lottery: apply four months before the month you want to hike.
- Daily lottery: apply two days before your hike, from inside the geofence, using a mobile device.
That’s it. No trailhead self-pay box gets you into The Wave. No annual pass substitutes for the permit. No “just walking in for a quick look.”
How do you get the wave permit?
You get it by applying through Recreation.gov, winning a lottery, confirming on time, and carrying the permit on your hike.
- Pick your lottery. Use the advanced lottery if your trip dates are still months away. Use the daily lottery if you are already in the southern Utah or northern Arizona area.
- Create or log in to your Recreation.gov account. Use your legal name. As of November 2026, Recreation.gov says applicants may be required to show government-issued ID that matches the application.
- Choose your dates and group size. As of November 2026, the group limit is six people. Everyone counts, including infants. Dogs do not count against the six-person group limit, but they must be listed on the permit.
- Pay the application fee. As of November 2026, the application fee is a non-refundable $6 per lottery application.
- Watch your email and Recreation.gov account. Winning is not enough. You must complete the remaining steps before the deadline.
- Pay the recreation fee if selected. As of November 2026, the recreation fee is $7 per person or dog if your application wins.
- Bring the permit and follow the rules. Your permit is valid only for the date, group size, and Coyote Buttes North permit area shown on it.
The official Coyote Buttes North Daily Lottery page on Recreation.gov lists the current fees, quota, mobile-device rule, geofence rule, and permit conditions.
How does the wave lottery work?
The lottery splits permits between people planning far ahead and people applying locally right before the hike.
| Lottery type | When you apply | Who it fits | Permits issued as of November 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced lottery | Four months ahead | Travelers with fixed vacation dates | 48 people or 12 groups per day, whichever comes first |
| Daily lottery | Two days before the hike, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Flexible hikers already near Kanab, Page, or nearby gateway areas | 16 people or 4 groups per day, whichever comes first |
For the advanced lottery, as of November 2026, you apply during a full calendar month for hiking dates in the fourth month ahead. For example, applications submitted in January are for May hiking dates. The BLM’s official advanced lottery FAQ says the lottery runs at 9 a.m. Mountain Time on the first day of the following month.
For the daily lottery, as of November 2026, you must apply two days before the hike between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. using a mobile device. Desktop and laptop applications do not work for the daily lottery because Recreation.gov uses the mobile device location to confirm you are inside the geofence.
The daily geofence covers the broader Page, Arizona, and Kanab, Utah, region. You do not need to stand at the trailhead. You do need to be inside the approved geofence when you apply.
How much does a Wave permit cost?
As of November 2026, the lottery application costs $6, and a winning permit costs $7 per person or dog.
The $6 application fee is non-refundable. If you win, you then pay the $7 recreation fee for every person and every dog listed on the permit. Children count. Infants count. Dogs count for payment, even though they do not count toward the six-person group-size limit.
As of November 2026, all Coyote Buttes North lottery fees and permit fees are non-refundable, and permits cannot be rescheduled for any reason. That includes bad weather, slick roads, extreme heat, illness, travel delays, or a change in plans.
No America the Beautiful pass discount applies to Coyote Buttes North permits as of November 2026. The permit is its own limited-entry authorization, not a standard entrance fee.
Should you apply for the advanced lottery or the daily lottery?
Apply for the advanced lottery if your trip depends on The Wave; use the daily lottery if you can stay flexible.
The advanced lottery gives you a shot before flights, hotels, and vacation days harden into place. You can choose up to three dates per application as of November 2026, and if you win, you get one authorized hiking date. This is the cleaner route for planners.
The daily lottery is better when your trip already puts you near Kanab, Page, Vermilion Cliffs, or the surrounding area. It can save a trip that missed the advanced lottery, but the window is tight. You apply two days before the desired hike, wait for results, then complete the required steps quickly if selected.
A smart plan is boring. That’s good. Try the advanced lottery first. If you miss, build a flexible desert itinerary around other hikes, then try the daily lottery while you are nearby.
What are The Wave permit rules?
As of November 2026, the permit rules are strict, and rangers can cite violations.
- Permit required: You must have a permit to enter Coyote Buttes North.
- Day use only: Overnight camping is prohibited in the Coyote Buttes North permit area.
- Group limit: No more than six people per group as of November 2026.
- No group-stacking: Separate permitted groups may not join together to exceed the six-person group limit.
- Correct area only: A Coyote Buttes North permit does not cover Coyote Buttes South, Paria Canyon overnight use, or Wire Pass day use.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed as of November 2026, but they must be on the permit, kept under control, and their waste must be packed out.
- No drones: Launching or landing drones is prohibited in Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness as of November 2026.
- No bikes, strollers, skateboards, or motorized/mechanized equipment: These are prohibited in the wilderness area as of November 2026.
- No campfires: Campfires and burning trash are prohibited as of November 2026.
- Pack out trash: All trash, including toilet paper, must be carried out.
- Stay together: As of November 2026, all group members must stay together.
- Protect the rock: Natural and cultural objects are protected; defacing surfaces and trampling vegetation are prohibited.
Also remember the trailhead fee issue. As of November 2026, a Wire Pass day-use pass is separate and does not authorize entry into Coyote Buttes North. The Wave permit gets you into The Wave. A Wire Pass day-use pass gets you into the Wire Pass/Paria Canyon day-use area. They are not interchangeable.
Where do you start the hike to The Wave?
Most permitted hikers start from Wire Pass Trailhead.
As of November 2026, Recreation.gov lists Wire Pass Trailhead at the end of an unpaved approach off House Rock Valley Road. The same official page gives the driving approach as 37 miles [60 km] east of Kanab on Highway 89 or 36 miles [58 km] west of Page on Highway 89, then about 8.3 miles [13.4 km] south on House Rock Valley Road to the trailhead.
That last road matters. As of November 2026, BLM says the road to the permit area is unpaved and minimally maintained. Most of the time, a two-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicle can reach the trailhead, but wet conditions may require four-wheel drive, high clearance, or may make the road impassable even for four-wheel-drive vehicles. Check the official BLM road conditions and safety page before you commit your vehicle to the mud.
Do not trust a blue-sky forecast alone. Desert roads can hold trouble after storms, and clay can turn a simple drive into a long, expensive rescue.
What should you carry for The Wave hike?
Carry enough water, navigation tools, sun protection, and backup layers for a remote desert hike with no marked trail.
As of November 2026, BLM says the Coyote Buttes North route is unmarked, cell service is unreliable, and there is no drinking water in the permit area. BLM recommends carrying and drinking at least one gallon [3.8 L] of water per person per day.
- Printed permit and ID matching the permit holder
- BLM route description, map, and photo guide provided with the permit
- GPS device or phone with offline maps, plus a backup battery
- Map and compass, and the skill to use them
- At least one gallon [3.8 L] of water per person
- Salty snacks and real food
- Wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing
- Rain shell or warm layer when the season calls for it
- First-aid kit
- Waste bags for trash, toilet paper, and dog waste
- Emergency communication device if you have one
Third-party app tracks can be messy in this terrain. Use the official permit materials first, then use your tools to confirm—not replace—your judgment.
What happens if weather or road conditions are bad?
Your permit date does not move because the weather turns ugly.
As of November 2026, Recreation.gov says Coyote Buttes North permits cannot be rescheduled, even when conditions are poor. That puts the call on you. If the road is unsafe, the heat is severe, storms threaten flash flooding, or winter ice coats the sandstone, turning around is the right move.
May through September brings serious heat exposure risk, with little shade and no drinking water in the permit area. Rainy periods can bring flash flooding and impassable roads. Winter can mean ice on sandstone and cold exposure. The permit is hard to win. Your life is harder to replace.
Related reading
- Half Dome Permit Lottery: Dates and Odds
- America the Beautiful Pass: Price, Coverage and Where to Buy
- Machu Picchu Tickets: Circuits and Entry Rules
- How Many National Parks Are There in the US?
FAQ
Do you need a permit for The Wave?
Yes. As of November 2026, you need a permit to enter Coyote Buttes North, the permit area that contains The Wave. The only public options are the advanced lottery and the daily lottery.
Can you get a same-day permit for The Wave?
No. As of November 2026, the daily lottery is for hikes two days later, not the same day. You must apply during the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. window from inside the geofence using a mobile device.
How many people can hike The Wave each day?
As of November 2026, Coyote Buttes North allows up to 64 people or 16 groups per day, whichever comes first. The advanced lottery accounts for 48 people or 12 groups, and the daily lottery accounts for 16 people or 4 groups.
Can dogs hike The Wave?
Yes. As of November 2026, dogs are allowed, but they must be included on the permit, kept under control, and their waste must be packed out. A $7 recreation fee applies per dog if your permit is awarded.
Can you transfer or change a Wave permit?
No. As of November 2026, permits are non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be rescheduled. After the lottery runs, you cannot change the permit date, applicant name, alternate permit holders, or group size.
Does a Wire Pass permit include The Wave?
No. As of November 2026, a Wire Pass day-use permit does not cover Coyote Buttes North or The Wave. You need a separate Coyote Buttes North permit won through the lottery.