With the upcoming tourist season kicking off, the lottery selection for the highly-prized Wave permits will see a higher number of names tossed into the hat for selection.

The Wave is located 45 miles west of Page within Coyote Buttes North in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.  The Wave is famous for its unique rock formations comprised of striated bands of yellow, orange, purple and brown rock that millennia of wind has sculpted into patterns that look like waves.
People from around the world seek out the permits to see the beautiful site all year long, especially in the spring and summer months.

Because of the popularity of the site a lottery system is in place to preserve the integrity and wild feel  of wilderness area for future guests.

The BLM gives out only 7,300 hiking permits to the Wave per year, which breaks down to 20 per day, ten of which are given out online and ten to those to show up at the BLM’s Kanab field station. The BLM say they have no plans to change the current system.

The only change is winter walk-in permit allotment applications were held only five days a week but now summer permits will be issued seven days a week starting March 17. Applications should be submitted four months in advance with a month to apply but still give no assurance that your name will be drawn for the date you wish to visit the site.

Each application is $5.00 plus an additional $7.00 per person per day, another $7.00 for a dog per day if you plan on bringing a companion.

Group permits carry the same fees but are less likely to be chosen unless the group is a small one or you split the group up into two smaller groups.
During the busiest time of the year – June, July and August – it’s common to have 100 to 200 people in the office hoping that their name will be called.
The BLM has had days when they have more than 400 requests, with the hopeful applicants filling the room and overflowing into the lobby and outside if its a nice day.

The Wave exploded in popularity after hikers began sharing photos of their trip to the Wave on Facebook and Instagram.
Despite the low odds of drawing a Wave permit the demand only continues to rise. Last year saw its largest number so far with more than 160,000 people applying for a permit. That represented a 20 percent jump over 2016 numbers and was nearly double the requests from 2013.
On its busiest days someone trying to win a Wave permit has a less than two percent chance of winning.
Below is a breakdown of online permits requests since 2012.
2012: 5,913
2013: 68,666
2014: 75, 697
2015: 91,081
2016: 106,233
2017: 131,745


Below is a breakdown of who applied using the Walk-in application system.
2013: 18,232
2014: 21,611

2015: 25,002
2016: 26,397
2017: 29,722

“We recognize that there’s a great deal of demand and that these permits are highly sought after. We don’t have any immediate plans to increase the number of permits—doing so would require that the agency analyze the effects on wilderness values. We are planning on conducting a review of the business practices for this wilderness area, including the permitting system for the Wave, beginning next fiscal year.

Once that effort begins, we will be seeking public comment about what changes to the permit system may be appropriate. That process will include full public involvement.” Stated Rachel T. Carnahan, BLM Public Affairs Office for the AZ Strip District.

Residents of Kane County have mixed opinions about the permit selection being limited because the impact it has on the economy of the Kanab area, which could use some uplift. However, summer tourist numbers and revenue has not been impacted according to the Office of Tourism and suggests there should be no changes or increase in the permit allotments.  

“I like it the way it is. They come in and try for the permit and they stay another day because it’s that important to them, because it’s on their bucket list. There is no place in the world like the Wave. I like [the permit lottery] the way it is,” said Bob Riding Visitor Center Host with the Kane County Office of Tourism. “They got to apply at least four months in advance because that’s how backed up it is and if they go in today for a permit, they draw for the permit and it’s for tomorrow.”

Walk-in permit applications are given and submitted at 745 E. Highway 89, Kanab, Utah at the Visitors Center near the Kanab City Cemetery, the phone number is (435) 644-1300 and is open from 8-4:30 seven days a week until November 15. You must be there before 9 a.m. if you wish to claim your permit and only cash or checks are accepted.

Online applications can be obtained and entered into the online lottery at www.blm.gov/az/paria/obtainpermits.cfm?usearea=CB. You will need a credit or debit card for the online process.