Most people have seen photos of hiking The Wave in Arizona – a gorgeous red sandstone formation along the Utah/Arizona border near Kanab in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The Wave is an incredible trail that should be on every hiker’s bucket list, and in this trail guide, we share everything you need to know before trying to hike the Wave.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the site, the Bureau of Land Management limits foot traffic into the Canyon, thus preserving the integrity and beauty of The Wave. For years, access was limited to only 20 lucky people a day, but in February 2021, the BLM increased the daily hiking quota to 64 people/day. Of those, 48 get permits in the advance lottery and 16 permits are awarded in the daily lottery.

It’s still hard to find yourself one of the lucky ones to receive a permit for the site, despite the increased quota, simply because there are so many people who want to experience The Wave. In 2018 alone, there were approximately 168,317 applicants, and with only 7,300 people allowed access, that’s a 4.3% success rate.

With that said, your best chance at an opportunity to hike the Wave is to be informed. In this guide to the Wave, we share information on the advanced Wave lottery, last-minute daily lottery permits, and recommended gear, as well as a trip report to help you plan for your visit.