I SERIOUSLY CAN’T BELIEVE WE GOT PERMITS FOR THE WAVE!
If you are planning on being in/around Kanab hiking the wave is 100000% worth it. You have to have a permit in order to hike it. There’s two ways- either getting an online permit 4 months ahead of time via lottery or an online lottery if you are in the area for a day ahead of time. We secured our permits online and were so excited. Also, your group can be no bigger than 6 people-babies(even if they will be carried the entire time) count towards your permit. Dogs are also able to go and while you don’t need a permit for them you do need to pay a fee.
Our permits were for the beginning of May, so it was warm but not too hot. Be aware if you’re going in the middle of summer that the trail has no shade or water and to be prepared. We got to the trailhead around 6am and started our hike shortly after. There are bathrooms at the trailhead.
You start the hike going through a sandy wash for the first mile and then you take a small path on the right hand side going up a hill. You’ll follow that path up and back down the other side of the hill where the trail will turn to red rock. With your permit you are given a map with visual directions so you know where to go. There were a few directional post up when we went as well, however I hear that isn’t always the case. The directions are quite easy to follow as you wind yourself around the beautiful red rock landscape. The last half mile of the hike you will go through sand-uphill. And then you’re there!
Beauden, my kiddo, was around 15 months old when we hiked. I carried him the entire way in without any breaks-we made pretty good time of 1.5 hours. He was able to get out and play/eat/explore at the wave. We spent a significant amount of time exploring, lunching, and taking pictures all around the area. Beauden even started to climb back into the carrier as he was getting tired.haha.
The hike out Beauden slept the entire way so it made for a pretty easy hike! I would 100% recommend doing this hike with kids. The hardest part is walking through sand in a couple sections. Otherwise it isn’t super long, doesn’t have lots of elevation gain, and is a great place for kids to explore!
