Want to hike The Wave? Getting a permit is about to be a little easier: What you need to know
Hikers who want to see The Wave, an undulating sandstone landscape that’s one of the most photographed – and in-demand – destinations in the Southwest, will soon have an easier time applying for a permit.
The contoured landform in the Coyote Buttes North area of Arizona and Utah can only be hiked with a permit obtained by lottery. People who plan well in advance can apply online up to four months ahead at recreation.gov.
Permits also have been issued two days before you wish to hike via in-person lottery at the Bureau of Land Management’s Kanab Visitor Center in Utah.
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Starting Tuesday, the BLM will implement a new mobile app system where people can seek daily permits. It eliminates the need to go to the visitor center to enter the lottery.
Here’s how the new app for The Wave permits works.
How do I get a permit to hike The Wave?
People who want to plan up to four months ahead can enter the lottery for their desired date at recreation.gov.
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Where does The Wave permit app work?
According to the BLM, you must be within the following areas to apply for a daily permit on the app:
- In Arizona: Page, Greenhaven, Marble Canyon, Vermilion Cliffs, Jacob Lake, White Sage, Fredonia, Moccasin and the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation.
- In Utah: Big Water, Paria, Johnson Canyon, Kanab, Mount Carmel, Orderville, Glendale and East Zion.
See a map of the entire geofence perimeter for the daily lottery at https://www.blm.gov.
How long does it take to hike The Wave?
The Wave is a 6.4-mile round-trip hike. You’ll hike through tall sandstone buttes and sagebrush to reach the famous rock formation.
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How much does The Wave permit cost?
The fee for a permit is $9 per application. You can have up to six people per application.
You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com or you can also follow her on Twitter.