The Wave Arizona Hike (A SIMPLE Guide)
The Wave Arizona Hike is one of the most EPIC hikes in the United States, for many reasons. For one, the landscape is one of a kind- the stripes of white, orange, and red. The canyon, the curvature, the lighting. I could go on. Also, it’s HARD to get a permit, making it that much more desirable. This area is ecologically sensitive, so only 64 people are allowed permits per day (trust me, you wouldn’t want crowds of people going there every day). This hike is 100% worth it if you get the chance. Let me help you get permits, and be prepared for your hike.
This is delicate land. If you go, LEAVE NO TRACE. Be respectful. Also, I understand it’s very hard to get permits. Trust me. I’ve applied for 5+ years before getting it. But do NOT go without permits.
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT “THE WAVE?”
The Wave Arizona hike has become one of the most iconic hikes in the Desert Southwest, let alone the United States. Why? The sandstone stripes that follow a beautiful curvature along the landscape are unlike anything else. It started to become popular after being featured in a landscape film in the 90s. Since then, the allure has skyrocketed. The Wave Arizona hike is located in the Paria Cayon- Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area, managed by the BLM. It was notated as ecologically sensitive, so only SIXTY-FOUR people are allowed to hike it per day.
After going, I will say- it’s 100% worth the hype.
GETTING PERMITS TO THE WAVE
There are TWO options on how to get permits to the wave in Arizona. You can do the DAILY LOTTERY or the ADVANCED lottery. We’ll go over both in detail below.
YOU CAN GET THE WAVE PERMITS THROUGH THE DAILY LOTTERY OR ADVANCED LOTTERY.
Advanced Lottery For The Wave
You can sign up for the Wave Arizona hike 4 months in advance through recreation.gov. For example, if you want to go in May, you need to apply in January. You can apply anytime from January 1st to January 31st. You will recieve an email on February 1st around 8:00am whether you got the permits or not. For me, this led to many sad 1sts of the months, getting denial letters.
When you apply, you get to pick 3 date preferences and list the size of your group. These are PREFERENCES. If you’re bringing an animal, that doesn’t need to be in your group here. If you are taking 2 people and a dog, your group size is 2. You pay for the dog once you win permits.
YOU HAVE A BETTER CHANCE ON WEEKDAYS, OFF-SEASON, AND SMALLER GROUPS.
People will talk about when the best time to do the Wave Arizona hike is. Honestly, does it matter? To a degree, but you go when you get permits. I’ve applied all throughout the year. I applied in August for December dates, and I won for New Year’s Eve. So that’s when I went!
It’s true that the best times are Spring and Fall where the weather is mild- not too hot or not too cold. It can snow in winter! But you can’t predict the weather. Personally, I would not want to go in summer. It’s so hot. If I did though, I would do the whole hike in the dark, be at the Wave for sunrise, and then get out early. Make it work. Just apply, and if you win, you’ll figure it out. It is out of your hands! PERMITS ARE $9 TO APPLY AND YOU DON’T GET IT BACK IF YOU LOSE. IF YOU WIN, YOU PAY $7 PER PERSON AND PET. Your permits get mailed to you.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO APPLY. JUST APPLY, AND IF YOU WIN, YOU’LL GO.
Daily Lottery for The Wave
The daily lottery was created for people that are in the area. You apply 2 days prior online (for a hike on Jan 20, you apply on the 18th by 6pm and find out around 7pm). If you’re already planning a trip to the area, great, do this option. DO NOT plan a trip expecting to do the wave. To apply you need to be in the geofence area below. It’s so unlikely and you’ll be let down. Here are directions from recreation.gov-
“Day 1 – Application: Apply between 6 AM and 6 PM two days ahead of the desired entry date. Lottery results are sent out at 7:15 PM this evening. Window opens to accept winning lottery.
Day 2 – Safety Briefing: Successful applicants must accept the permit and pay fees by 8 AM Utah time and be onsite at a permit pickup location at 8:30 AM local time for a safety briefing. Local time may be different between pick-up locations. During Daylight Savings, 9:30 in Utah is 8:30 in Arizona (except the Navajo Nation). *Arriving late will void permits.
Day 3 – Permit date: Permit-holders have the day to explore Coyote Buttes North. “
DO NOT PLAN A TRIP EXPECTING TO WIN THE DAILY LOTTERY.
THE WAVE ARIZONA HIKE
I’m gonna do this hike review a little different than other people, and different than my normal in-depth hike reviews. I’m going to keep this SIMPLE. Give you the things you need to know that I struggled with, and avoid the fluff. Let’s get into The Wave Arizona hike.
HIKE STATS
Here’s what you need to know about finding the trailhead. It is called WIRE PASS TRAILHEAD. You can easily search this on your GPS. If you’re coming from Kanab, you’ll drive 40 minutes on the highway, then 20 minutes or 8 miles on HOUSE ROCK VALLEY ROAD. The photo of the jeep turning below is the start of the road. The road isn’t too bad, unless it is after a storm. The trailhead is well kept with clean pit toilets and a large parking lot. No matter what season, I recommend going early! The lighting is the best and there’s less people. When we left, there was a crowd taking forever to take photos.
NO MATTER WHAT SEASON YOU GO, HIKE EARLY.
Get an idea of the road conditions in my video below! I was in a rental. If I had my Jeep I could have blown through that raod at 45 mph. I thought the road was well maintained. After storms, the road could get really bad!
Staying On Trail
I’m NOT going to walk you through every step of The Wave Arizona Hike. You won’t remember looking at these photos even if you read this the day before. There are a couple things you need. ONE, you NEED to have the map you were given. When I was mailed my permits, this map was in it. If you win the daily lottery, you will pick things up in person and they will give it to you. It helps a ton! The wording and the photos helps to guide you. When we were finishing, a family was way off trail and they didn’t have a map. I gave them mine. I actually saw them at dinner that night and they said it really saved them.
YOU NEED TO BRING THE RANGER-SUPPLIED MAP WITH YOU.
You 100% Need This Life Saving Device!
THE WAVE ARIZONA HIKE- DESTINATION
You should spend plenty of time exploring the wave! You may have seen photos of a topography of The Wave Arizona Hike and where to take photos… you don’t need it. Once you get to the destination, just explore. Look forwards and then turn around and look back for different views. You’ll see everything you wanted to! I loved the morning light, and once the sun barely peaked over the rock the lighting was cool too!
Beyond The Wave- The Extras
You may have heard that there are other things to see around the Wave. Melody Arch, The Alcove (Sand Cave), Dinosaur Tracks, etc. Let me tell you based on my experience, don’t do it. I was told by a worker at our hotel (it’s all right there, you have to see it all). Not true. Safety is always first. We went past the Wave, and past that honestly you have to scale up a giant straight rock wall to get to the other areas. AllTrails was hard to follow and Garmin was had to follow because of the terrain. We did find The Alcove (below), but I was so irritated by then. I wish we just spent more time laying on The Wave and enjoying it and leaving earlier. QUALITY over QUANTITY. You don’t have to see it all, I promise.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
There is so much else you can do while you’re up hiking the Wave. There’s Zion, Kanab, Bryce, Page, The Grand Canyon, White Pocket, so much more. This area is full of adventure. Whether you’re from the area or from far away, make a trip out of it!
Things To Do Near The Wave Arizona Hike
Tour Best Friends Animal Society: They are in Kanab and have a mission to save all animals!
Things to Do Near Page, Arizona: One of my fav places!
Visit Arizona’s Wonder: Multiple itineraries for The Grand Canyon
Horseshoe Bend: Even Better in Person than Photos
AZ to UT Road Trip: From Phoenix to Zion
NEED SOMEWHERE TO STAY?
While you’re spending time explorig the area near Page, Arizona, you need somewhere to stay! You can camp, glamp, rent a cabin, stay in a houseboat, or in a hotel. We made our base Hyatt Place Page and loved it. It’s DOG-FRIENDLY, has complimentary breakfast, the best views, a perfect central location, and a on-site restaurant open late. Their grilled cheese and soup was to die for. We stayed here the day before we hiked the wave. Check them out!
FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT THE WAVE ARIZONA HIKE
I hope I kept this simple for you. You can either apply 2 days through an app nearby OR 4 months early online. When you’re there, the hike is 6 mi RT. I don’t suggest exploring past the wave. Have a first aid kit and a navigation system AND a map that the rangers gave. Extend you trip to see other things in the area.
