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Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness

White House to Confluence

The classic Paria Canyon route - 20 miles of towering slot canyons, desert varnish, and hanging gardens from White House Trailhead to the Colorado River

Distance

20 mi one-way

Difficulty

Expert

Days

2-3 days

Best Season

Mar-May, Sep-Nov

Route Overview

The White House to Confluence route is the classic Paria Canyon backpack - a 20-mile journey through towering slot canyons, desert varnish-streaked walls, and hanging gardens from White House Trailhead in Utah to the confluence with the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry. This is one of the most popular and spectacular routes in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

The route follows the Paria River through a series of increasingly narrow slot canyons, with walls rising 500-1,000 feet on either side. You'll wade through cold, knee-deep water, navigate around log jams and boulder chokes, and camp on wooded terraces overlooking the river. The route ends at Lee's Ferry, the historic crossing point of the Colorado River and the starting point for Grand Canyon river trips.

This is a challenging, remote route that requires careful planning and preparation. Flash flood risk is constant, and there is no easy exit from the canyon. But for those who are prepared, the reward is a multi-day journey through one of the most beautiful and untouched canyon systems in the Southwest.

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 Colorado River (7 miles): After the confluence, the canyon opens slightly but remains narrow and dramatic. This section features massive sandstone amphitheaters, natural arches, and numerous side canyons. Water is available from the Paria River, but must be filtered or treated. The route ends at the confluence with the Colorado River at Lee's Ferry.

What It's Really Like

The White House to Confluence route is consistently described by hikers as "the most beautiful backpacking trip of my life" and "absolutely worth every ounce of effort." 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.

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

Return to: Arizona Backpacking Regions