Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
Paria Canyon Through-Hike
A multi-day slot canyon epic - 38 miles of towering walls, desert varnish, and the confluence of Buckskin Gulch in one of the most remote wilderness areas in the Southwest
Distance
38 mi one-way
Difficulty
Expert
Days
3-5 days
Best Season
Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Route Overview
The Paria Canyon through-hike is one of the most spectacular and challenging backpacking routes in the Southwest. The route follows the Paria River from White House Trailhead in Utah down through the towering sandstone walls of Paria Canyon to its confluence with the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry in Arizona - 38 miles of slot canyons, desert varnish-streaked walls, hanging gardens, and remote wilderness.
The Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is one of the most permit-restricted areas in the country. Only 20 people per day are allowed to enter the canyon for overnight trips, and permits must be obtained months in advance through a lottery system.
This is not a casual backpacking trip. The route involves wading through cold, knee-deep water, navigating quicksand, dealing with flash flood risk, and camping in one of the most remote and waterless environments in the Southwest. But for those who are prepared, the reward is a multi-day journey through one of the most beautiful and untouched canyon systems on Earth.
Route Description
White House to Buckskin Gulch Confluence (13 miles): The route starts at White House Trailhead and descends into Paria Canyon. The first section features towering sandstone walls streaked with desert varnish, hanging gardens, and wooded terraces. The canyon narrows as you approach the confluence with Buckskin Gulch, one of the longest slot canyons in the world.
Buckskin Gulch Confluence to Wrather Arch (12 miles): After the confluence, the canyon opens slightly but remains narrow and dramatic. This section features massive sandstone amphitheaters, natural arches (including Wrather Arch, the longest natural arch outside of Utah), and numerous side canyons. Water is available from the Paria River, but must be filtered or treated.
Wrather Arch to Lee's Ferry (13 miles): The final section of the route follows the Paria River to its confluence with the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry. The canyon walls gradually lower, and the river becomes wider and slower. The route ends at Lee's Ferry, the historic crossing point of the Colorado River and the starting point for Grand Canyon river trips.
What It's Really Like
The Paria Canyon through-hike is consistently described by hikers as "otherworldly" and "the most beautiful backpacking trip of my life." The canyon walls rise 500-1,000 feet on either side, streaked with black desert varnish and capped with white Navajo sandstone. The Paria River is a shallow, cold stream that you'll wade through for much of the route - sometimes knee-deep, sometimes ankle-deep, but always present.
The slot canyons are the highlight. In several sections, the canyon narrows to just a few feet wide, with walls rising hundreds of feet above you. The light filtering down into these narrows creates a surreal, cathedral-like atmosphere. You'll spend hours walking through these slots, navigating around log jams and boulder chokes, and marveling at the water-sculpted rock.
The challenges are real. Flash flood risk is constant - you must check weather forecasts for the entire watershed before entering the canyon. Quicksand can trap you up to your waist in some sections. The water is cold (50-60°F) and you'll be wading through it for hours each day. And the canyon is remote - there is no cell service, no easy exit, and rescue is not guaranteed.
Insider tip from reviewers: Bring waterproof bags for your gear. Wear neoprene socks or water shoes for the wading sections. And check the weather obsessively - if there's any chance of rain in the watershed, do not enter the canyon. Flash floods in Paria Canyon have been known to reach 20 feet deep and move at 15 mph.
Permits & Regulations
Permit Required: Yes. A BLM permit is required for all overnight trips in Paria Canyon. Permits are extremely limited - only 20 people per day are allowed to enter the canyon.
How to Apply: Permits are obtained through a lottery system on recreation.gov. Applications are accepted on the 1st of each month for trips 3 months in advance. For example, permits for August become available on May 1st at 12:00 noon MT.
- Application fee: $6 per permit (non-refundable)
- Recreation fee: $5 per person per day
- Permits must be picked up in person within 10 days of trip start
- Pickup locations: Arizona Strip District Office (St. George, UT), Paria Contact Station (seasonal), or Kanab Field Office (seasonal)
Group Size: Maximum 10 people per group. Groups larger than 10 must split into separate groups and enter on separate days.
Regulations: Campfires prohibited. All trash and human waste must be packed out (WAG bags provided at permit pickup). Dogs allowed but must be included on permit. No motorized vehicles or drones.
Route-Finding & Safety
- Flash Flood Risk: This is the #1 danger in Paria Canyon. Flash floods can occur with no warning and can reach 20 feet deep. Check weather forecasts for the entire watershed (not just the canyon) before entering. If there's any chance of rain, do not enter the canyon. Heed all warnings from BLM staff.
- Water: The Paria River is your primary water source. It must be filtered or treated before drinking. Some sections have no available water for miles - carry sufficient water between sources.
- Quicksand: Some sections of the canyon have deep quicksand that can trap you up to your waist. If you encounter quicksand, spread your weight and back out slowly. Do not panic.
- Wading: You'll be wading through cold (50-60°F) water for hours each day. Bring neoprene socks or water shoes. Waterproof your gear. Hypothermia is a risk in cold, wet conditions.
- Navigation: There are no marked trails in Paria Canyon. You must follow the river and use route-finding skills. A detailed map and the Hiker's Guide to the Paria Canyon are essential.
- Emergency: No cell service in the canyon. Satellite communication devices (InReach, SPOT) are strongly recommended. Rescue is not guaranteed and can take days.
External Resources
- Paria Canyon Permits - recreation.gov - Apply for overnight permits
- BLM Paria Canyon Permit Information - Regulations, fees, and pickup locations
- BLM Buckskin Gulch Information - Day-use permits and safety information
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument - BLM monument information
Return to: Arizona Backpacking Regions