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Demand for permits to hike The Wave continues to increase

The Salt Lake Tribune reports more than 160,000 people applied for the 7,300 yearly permits last year.
Located along with northern Arizona border near Utah, this sandstone rock formation draws hikers and tourists from across the world. (Photo: Instagram screenshot)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Demand continues to rise for the 20 daily permits to hike a geological gem on the Arizona-Utah border called The Wave, which features mesmerizing swirls of searing reds, oranges and yellow in bowl-shaped rock formations.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports more than 160,000 people applied for the 7,300 yearly permits last year to take the hike, which crosses the state border in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness area.

The number of applicants increased by 20 percent last year and is up from 87,000 in 2013.

The Bureau of Land Management issues the permits - half through a monthly online lottery and half through daily drawings at the Kanab visitor center.

In the online lottery held last week for May hikes, about 2,800 people entered for permits on May 5 alone.

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