The wave is one of the most highly sought-after destinations in the Southwest. Its swirling red rock formations are like none other. It’s so beautiful, you can hardly believe it’s real. The wave is located in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness area. You must have a permit to access the wave.
Directions to the Trailhead
The trailhead to the wave is located on House Rock Valley Road, a dirt road off of US Route 89 midway between Kanab, Utah, and Page, Arizona. Nine miles after turning onto House Rock Valley Road, you will arrive at the Wire Pass Trailhead, which is the trailhead for the wave. You’ll see the dirt parking area on your right when coming from US Route 89.
You do not need a 4-wheel drive to get to the Wire Pass Trailhead in dry weather. However, if the road is wet, or rain is in the forecast, it can get incredibly muddy, and it’s easy to get stuck without a 4-wheel drive. I recommend hiring a guide to drive you if you don’t have a suitable vehicle. There are a lot of guides, but I recommend Paria Outfitters. They are the closest and, in my opinion, the best.
The Hike to the Wave
The hike to the wave is 6.7 miles round trip, but you may put on some extra miles if you explore the surrounding areas.
The journey begins by signing the trailhead register and crossing House Rock Road. The hike starts off following the well-defined east trail for fifty yards until you enter Wirepass Wash. In about half a mile, you will see a sign marked Coyote Buttes North on the right. Turn right and follow the good trail up the hill and across the sage field to the permit area. You will see BLM signposts at critical locations. One can be seen about 50 yards east of the saddle.
From the saddle, proceed south; after .35 miles or so, you will see a twin butte with a downed barbed wire fence on its left (east) side; go over the fence. Continue heading almost due south, aiming for the crack in the cliffs to the south. After another .8 miles or so, you will cross another small wash. Continue heading towards the crack in the wall, and go up the sand dune. There should be a clear trail up the sand dune unless it had been very windy overnight. You will shortly arrive at the wave. Once you’re done exploring the area, head back the same way you came.
Permits & How the Lottery Works
Permits can be obtained through a daily lottery or an advance lottery. 64 people are awarded permits every day for Coyote Buttes North in total, including both the Daily and Advanced Lotteries. This means a maximum of 64 visitors hike to the wave every day. Usually, this number is much lower since the lottery usually reaches the cap on groups before it reaches the cap on individuals.
Applying for the Daily Lottery
To apply for the daily lottery, you must be within the geofence area (see here) on a mobile device by going to Recreation.gov in your browser or by installing the Recreation.gov app.
If you win the lottery, you will receive a permit valid for 2 days after the date you applied. So if you entered the lottery on a Thursday, your permit would be for the following Saturday. Successful applicants are notified by text to pick up their permits and attend a mandatory safety briefing at the Page-Lake Powell Tourism Hub in Page, AZ, or the Kane County Visitor Center & Office of Tourism in Kanab, UT.
Applying for the Advanced Lottery
If you apply for the advance lottery, you can apply online from any location. The advance lottery will enter you in a drawing for a permit that will be available four months out. To apply for the advance lottery, go to recreation.gov or click here!
There are forty-eight permits per day in the advance lottery. You should apply four months ahead of the time you wish to hike. If, for example, you would like to hike to the wave in October, you would need to apply during the month of June. The lucky winners are drawn on the 1st of each month.
There is a $9.00 non-refundable fee to apply for the online lottery. You may choose three (3) different dates to hike and apply for up to six people. Applicants are notified of their results in the lottery by e-mail on the first day of the month following the application period.
Can You Hike to the Wave Without a Permit?
No, you can not hike to the wave if you do not have a permit for Coyote Buttes North. There are no exceptions to this rule. You must have a permit to hike to the wave, and you must hike on the day of your permit. I don’t recommend hiking without a permit. If you are caught hiking in the North Coyote Buttes permit area without a permit, you risk a fine of between $1,000 and $10,000 per person, plus up to one year in jail. I have had to show my permit every time I have hiked the wave.
Where to Hike if You Don’t Get a Permit to the Wave
If you don’t get a permit to go to the wave, don’t worry! There are a lot of other cool hikes in the area that don’t require a permit. Southern Utah and Northern Arizona have some of the best trails around. Some of my favorite nearby hikes to consider are:
- Buckskin Gulch
- Blue Pool Wash
- Horseshoe Bend
- Nautilus
- Toadstools
- White Pocket
Leave It Better Than You Found It
Remember to respect nature and follow ethical practices when engaging in outdoor activities. Always leave a place better than you found it, and practice the principles of Leave No Trace. Enjoy your time exploring the Wave and surrounding areas!
