The Wave Lottery: Dates, Odds and How to Apply
A Wave lottery win is the only way into Coyote Buttes North. BLM lets just 64 people per day in, 48 of them drawn in the monthly advance lottery and 16 in a daily lottery two days out. Both draws are covered below.
The Wave permit alertsThis guide covers the The Wave permit.
The Wave lottery at a glance
BLM publishes no success rate for The Wave. What is fixed and published is the capacity: a daily maximum of 64 people, with 48 awarded through the advance lottery four months ahead and the other 16 through the geofenced Daily Lottery.
When the The Wave lottery runs
| Applications open | Advanced lottery opens the 1st of the month, 4 months ahead |
|---|---|
| Applications close | Advanced lottery closes the last day of that month |
| Results announced | Advanced lottery runs 9 a.m. MT on the 1st of the following month |
The window the managing agency publishes for this permit. Agencies move it, so check the official permit page before you apply.
Confirmed 2027 dates
| Results announced | January 1, 2027 |
|---|
Read from the provider on the day it published them. We store nothing we were not given.
The Wave lottery odds
| Year | Lottery | Applications | Awarded | Success rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Advance lottery (4 months ahead)48 people and/or 12 groups per day, whichever comes first. BLM publishes no success rate. | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2026 | Daily lottery (geofenced)16 people and/or 4 groups per day, whichever comes first; you must apply from within the geofenced area near Kanab. | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Sources: BLM — Coyote Buttes North Advanced Lottery (The Wave) · Recreation.gov Coyote Buttes North advance lottery
Last checked against the agency August 6, 2026. See the full The Wave odds breakdown
Apply as a crew
Every extra person entering the The Wave lottery for the same dates is another chance at the same trip. Whoever wins takes the group.
48
Advance Lottery Spots/Day
64
People Per Day
$9
Permit Cost
Year-Round
Season
6 mi
Round Trip
The Most Competitive Permit in the Southwest
BLM lets in 64 people per day and applications run far past that every month of the year. But with two lottery systems and persistence, people do win. Some apply every month for years.
Two Ways to Get a Permit
Advance Online Lottery
48 people/day • 4 months ahead
of the 64 daily people distributed via advance lottery
Apply 1st of each month for dates 4 months out
Select up to 3 preferred dates per application
$9 application fee (non-refundable)
Drawn at 9am MT on the 1st of the following month
Daily Geofenced Lottery
16 people/day • Day before
of the 64 daily people distributed via the daily lottery
Apply from a phone inside the geofenced area around Kanab and Page
Applies two days before the hiking date; winners are emailed with permit pick-up details
$9 fee charged only if you win
Must be in Kanab area to enter
2026 Application Calendar
Apply In Month → For These Dates
How to Apply
Get The Wave Alerts
Be first to know when cancellations happen.
5 Strategies to Improve Your Odds
Apply Every Single Month
You can submit one advance lottery application per month. That's 12 chances per year. Apply consistently for multiple years if needed.
Use All Three Date Picks
One application lets you name up to 3 preferred dates. Naming one date and hoping is throwing away two thirds of the entry you paid for.
Count Back Four Months
You apply during a calendar month for a permit in the calendar month four months ahead. Work backwards from your trip dates so you don't miss the window entirely.
Enter Daily Lotteries
If you're in the Kanab area, enter the daily lottery every day. Some people spend a week trying until they win.
Coordinate Your Group
Each person can submit their own advance lottery. If anyone wins, they can add up to 5 additional people to their permit.
What Happens When You Win
Check email
By the 15th
Pay $9 fee
Within 14 days
Watch video
Orientation required
Pick up permit
Kanab VC
Download GPS
No marked trail
Hike The Wave
6 miles RT
Navigation is Critical
There is no marked trail to The Wave. You navigate by landmarks and GPS coordinates. The BLM provides:
Landmark Map
Photo guide showing key landmarks along the route
GPS Waypoints
Coordinates for navigation apps and devices
Offline Maps
Download before you go. No cell service in area.
Best Time to Visit
Spring
Mar-May
Moderate temps, wildflowers, best light
Fall
Sep-Nov
Pleasant temps, clear skies, popular
Winter
Dec-Feb
Lowest crowds, dramatic photography
Possible snow on route
Summer
Jun-Aug
Long days for photography
100°F+ temps, start before dawn
Didn't Win? Try Coyote Buttes South
Cancellation Alerts
Permits get cancelled. PermitSnag monitors 24/7 and alerts you the moment one opens.
Coyote Buttes South
Different but equally spectacular formations, and a much smaller applicant pool than the Wave. Same permit system.
Daily Lottery Week
Spend a week in Kanab entering the daily lottery. Many successful visitors used this strategy.
Pro Tips for Hiking The Wave
Arrive at trailhead early
Parking at Wirepass is limited. Arrive before sunrise for the best light and to beat the heat.
Bring 3+ liters of water
There is no water on the route. Desert heat is unforgiving. More water than you think.
Check the weather
Flash floods can occur in slot sections. Don't hike if rain is forecast anywhere in the area.
Time your photography
Midday light (10am-2pm) is best for The Wave itself, illuminating the swirling layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the odds of winning The Wave lottery?
+
BLM does not publish a success rate for The Wave lottery, overall or by season. What it does publish is the capacity: 64 people per day, 48 of them awarded through the advance online lottery and 16 through the daily lottery. Demand runs far above that, so treat any percentage you see quoted elsewhere as somebody's estimate, not an agency figure.
How many people can visit The Wave each day?
+
Only 64 people per day are permitted to visit The Wave. BLM splits that between 48 people (and/or 12 groups) through the advance online lottery and 16 people (and/or 4 groups) through the daily in-person lottery.
When should I apply for The Wave advance lottery?
+
The advance lottery accepts applications for dates 4 months out. For example, apply in March for July dates. Applications open on the 1st of each month at Recreation.gov. You can submit one application per month for up to 3 preferred dates.
Where do I pick up my Wave permit?
+
Permits are picked up at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah. The daily lottery itself is no longer an in-person draw: Recreation.gov runs it as a geofenced mobile lottery two days before your hiking date, so you apply from a phone inside the area around Kanab and Page rather than at a counter. Winners are emailed with permit pick-up details.
Is hiking to The Wave difficult?
+
The 6-mile round trip hike is moderate in difficulty but navigationally challenging. There is no marked trail. You navigate by landmarks and GPS coordinates provided with your permit. The terrain includes loose sand, slickrock, and some scrambling. Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F.
Do I need a permit for The Wave in Utah or Arizona?
+
The Wave sits right on the Utah-Arizona border in Coyote Buttes North, part of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. It's managed by the BLM regardless of which state you approach from, so the same single permit (advance or daily lottery) covers access from either side.
Can I reserve or book The Wave permit directly, without the lottery?
+
No. There's no direct-booking or reservation option - every Wave permit is issued through one of the two lotteries (the 4-month-out advance lottery or the in-person daily lottery). There is no way to guarantee a permit or skip the lottery process.
Don't Miss Your Wave Permit
Cancellations happen. PermitSnag monitors The Wave permit availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit Alerts
Other day-use lotteries with a hard cap
Same shape as The Wave: a fixed number of people a day, handed out by draw.
- The Wave permit lotteryCoyote Buttes North, capped at 64 people a day across an advance draw and a daily draw run inside the geofence.
- Half Dome permit lottery datesThe other day-use lottery with a hard daily cap: 225 people, a preseason draw, and a daily draw for what is left.