The Wave Is An Otherworldly Destination On The Utah Border

Some of Utah's most stunning destinations...aren't in Utah. Oh, don't worry - we still have plenty of legit jaw-droppers inside our borders (take in the views at Bryce Canyon National Park, for instance). But there's one pretty famous place that draws hikers and photographers from all over the world, and it's often mistakenly attributed to Utah. The Wave is an otherworldly place in the desert...but it's a couple miles inside the Arizona border. We won't tell if you won't. Just take a look at this amazing, surreal environment.

The Wave is a jaw-dropping, otherworldly sandstone formation, located in the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness. It's a stunning place to visit, but not so fast...

...you'll need a permit to access the trail, and it's not easy to get one.

Only 20 people per day are allowed into The Wave. There's a lottery online that doles out half the permits; you'll apply four months in advance. The other half of the permits are given to lucky hikers who are able to score a last-minute permit in a walk-in lottery at the Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah. The success rate to get a permit is pretty low, so most people try several times before obtaining one.

If you're lucky, you'll be hiking The Wave later in the year. If not, well we've got some pretty pics you can enjoy in the meantime.

Don't feel too bad. Hiking The Wave isn't for everyone. It's 5.2 miles out and back, and it requires good navigation skills. If you don't know what you're doing, you can easily get lost and die.

Seriously, people have died out here from dehydration. Before you even attempt to apply for a permit, make sure your skills are up to snuff.

The Wave is made of Navajo Sandstone, and it mostly consists of two main troughs.

One of the troughs measures 62 feet wide and 118 feet long; the other is 7 feet wide and 52 feet long.

The sandstone is from the Jurassic age, and the ridges and grooves in it eroded over thousands of years, thanks to water and wind.

One of the reasons that the number of hikers is so limited here is that the grooves can be fragile, and damaged by hiking boots.

The landscape in this region truly looks like it belongs on another planet. You can see why it captures the imaginations of photographers all over the world.

Depending on the time of day, the sandstone can appear as a pale, tan color, a medium shade of orange, or a deep, dark reddish color.

There's no formal trail to The Wave. Hikers must traverse across the open desert, relying on a compass or GPS. If you have the skills to hike The Wave, and the patience to keep trying for a permit, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

We'd love to hear from you if you've hiked the wave, or if you're planning on it! Share your stories and photos with us in the comments.