Your chances are better if you're going alone, or in December - February.Ī six mile round trip hike in required to get to The Wave. In the other months you usually have much less than a 50% chance of getting one at the daily lottery. During the most popular months (April, May, September, October) there can be an estimated 300 people applying for the sixteen daily permits. Only 64 people per day (48 permits granted three months in advance and 16 permits granted one day in advance) are allowed in the area and demand far exceeds supply. The Wave is best photographed from mid-morning to early afternoon so as to minimize the extensive shadows the other areas listed above are best photographed mid-late afternoon.Ī permit issued by the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is required to see The Wave. These include The Second Wave, The Alcove, Top Rock Arch, Melody Arch and the Grotto, Sand Cove, and Fatali's Boneyard. In addition to The Wave Coyote Buttes North contains many other spectacular rock formations. It is located in the Coyote Buttes North area of the Utah Arizona border. The Wave is the premier photographic destination in the US Southwest.