Wave Daily Lottery Permit: Quota and Route
Wave Daily Lottery permits are drawn by lottery in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The route covers 6.4 miles.
This guide covers the The Wave daily lottery.
16
People Per Day
$6 application + $7/person
Permit Cost
4-6 hours
Duration
6.4 miles
Distance
strenuous
Difficulty
About Wave Daily Lottery
The second way into The Wave: a geofenced lottery you apply to from a phone inside a 3,272-square-mile area, two days before you hike.
The Wave Daily Lottery route
- Distance
- 6.4 miles
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Trip length
- 4-6 hours
- Difficulty
- strenuous
Starts at Wire Pass Trailhead
Colorado Plateau. Nearest town: Kanab
Points along the route
- Wire Pass TrailheadMile 0
- The WaveMile 3.2
Wave Daily Lottery permit detailsandAll Vermilion Cliffs National Monument permits
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Pro Tips
You must be physically inside the geofence when you apply, and it is big — roughly the Highway 89 and 389 corridors from Kanab to Page
Apply from a phone or tablet. BLM says desktops and laptops will not work
Results come at 7:15 PM the same evening, so plan your next day around finding out late
If you win, you must be at the pickup location you chose by 8:30 AM local time the next morning for the safety briefing — arriving late voids the permit
Cell service in the geofence is patchy, so apply somewhere you know you have signal
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Wave Daily Lottery permit?
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Wave Daily Lottery permits are distributed through a lottery. Apply during the application window, and check the agency's own page for the dates.
When is the best time to visit Wave Daily Lottery?
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Spring and fall for temperature. BLM warns specifically about May through September heat with no shade and no water, and about winter visits meaning "hiking on ice-covered sandstone and exposure to cold."
How long is the Wave Daily Lottery route?
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The route is 6.4 miles, as an out-and-back. Plan on 4-6 hours.
How difficult is the Wave Daily Lottery route?
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Travellers already in the Kanab-Page corridor who can rearrange the next two mornings at short notice.
Where does the Wave Daily Lottery route start?
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Wire Pass Trailhead.
What if I don't win the Wave Daily Lottery lottery?
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Apply again when the next application window opens, and look at similar permits in the area in the meantime.
Don't Miss Your Wave Daily Lottery Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Wave Daily Lottery availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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