How Long Is The Wave Hike?

The suggested route to The Wave is a strenuous

6.4-mile round-trip

hike in a wilderness area which requires visitors to cross challenging terrain and use way finding skills. You are responsible for your own safety and should consider the physical abilities and fitness level of all group members when trip planning.

How hard is the wave hike?

Difficulty. The Wave hike is

moderate in difficulty

. The trail is 3 miles one-way in wilderness land. It’s also a low trafficked trail so you won’t see a distinct path part of the way unless there is sand or dirt.

How long does it take to do the wave hike?

The average time it takes to hike to the Wave is

90 minutes

. The hike is a little more than 3 miles each way from the Wire Pass trailhead. The hike begins in Wire Pass Wash, before climbing out of the wash and up a steep hill onto a sandy flat. From here you are very close to the boundary of North Coyote Buttes.

Can you see the wave in Arizona without hiking?

No.

“The Wave” is an absolutely incredible sandstone feature located in the

Coyote Buttes North area

on the border of Utah and Arizona. It’s known for having an extremely competitive permitting process that is done through both an online lottery system and an in-person walk-in application.

How much does it cost to hike the wave?

There is a nonrefundable

$9 fee

to enter online in addition to the $7 permit fee.

What happens if you hike The Wave without a permit?

If you choose to hike The Wave without a permit, you

risk a fine of up to $10,000 per person

. (Minimum $1,000.) If the BLM chooses to prosecute, you could also face up to 1 full year in jail. You’ll also be permanently banned from applying for Wave permits in the future.

Can you hike The Wave without a permit?

Permit:

You are not allowed to hike ‘The Wave’ without

a permit. Rangers patrol the area. They carry a list of names with permit numbers. If you’re caught without a permit, you’ll have to pay a fine up to 1200 USD.

What can I bring to The Wave?

We recommend that you

wear swimwear

that is not bulky and that does not have any large metal or plastic detailing as this may cause discomfort or injury. You should also bring a towel. If you have your own wetsuit then we would encourage you to use it at this time.

What is the best time to visit The Wave?

The best time to visit The Wave is

spring or fall

when the weather’s more favorable. You have a better chance to win a permit during the winter, and winter can be favorable during brief warm spells. 10.

Do you need a guide to hike The Wave?

Getting a permit to hike The Wave is a highly-coveted, once-in-a-lifetime experience. So how do you ensure that you make the most of it? By

hiring a guide

!

Do you need a permit to see The Wave in Arizona?

You must have a permit to visit Coyote Buttes North (

The Wave

) and Coyote Buttes South. Permits are available for day use only. There is a daily limit on permits. Permits for Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) are offered through a lottery.

Can I visit Vermilion Cliffs without a permit?

1 answer.

You do not need a permit to enter the monument

(drive through on the scenic route), however some areas of the park require a permit for access – North Coyote Buttes (The Wave), South Coyote Buttes and Paria Canyon. At Paria Canyon, you can purchase a day-use permit at the trail head.

How do you visit The Wave?

Most people access the Wave from

the Wire Pass Trailhead located in the North Coyote Buttes permit area of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

. The moderate 6-mile hike consists primarily of sand and red rock.

How does The Wave walk in lottery work?

The lottery works like this:

You must apply four months in advance

. You have an entire month to apply. (For example, you can apply January 1-31, and the online lottery would occur February 1 for permits to visit The Wave in May.)

Who invented The Wave?

1970s–1980s

Krazy George Henderson

perfected the wave at National Hockey League games, followed later by the earliest available video documentation of a wave, which he led on October 15, 1981, at a Major League Baseball game in Oakland, California.

Where do you stay to hike The Wave?

1. Lake Powell Manor. 3-star. …
2. Under Canvas Lake Powell Grand Staircase. 3-star. …
3. Grand Canyon Ranch & Outfitters. 2.5-star. …
4. Marble Canyon Lodge. 3-star. …
5. Rodeway Inn & Suites Big Water – Antelope Canyon. 2-star. …
6. Dreamkatchers Lake Powell Bed & Breakfast. 3-star. …
7. Amangiri. …
8. Lake Powell Dream Vacation.