Paria Canyon sits on the Utah/Arizona border within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. When you backpack there, you'll hike 38 miles along the riverbed, surrounded by immense Navajo sandstone walls.
Backpacking through Paria Canyon means you'll be wading downstream with numerous river crossings, reminiscent of hiking the Narrows in Zion but with a more remote and isolated feel. Expect your feet to stay wet throughout the trip.
The trail makes for slow hiking, yet the breathtaking scenery makes every bit of effort worthwhile.
Dear Lykkers, our Paria Canyon Backpacking Guide covers everything you need to plan your own trip into this stunning wilderness.
<h3>Paria Canyon Hike Basics</h3>
While Paria Canyon offers three starting trailheads, many opt for the popular one-way hike from the White House Trailhead near the Paria Contact Station to Lee’s Ferry. This scenic route spans 38 miles and gently descends 1,130 feet in elevation. The trail is straightforward, mostly following the riverbed for easy navigation.
According to the ranger, some people manage to hike it in 3 days and 2 nights. It's doable if that's all the time you have, but be ready for long days. Hiking in the river can be unexpectedly slow, especially when water levels are high.
Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness - A Lasting Legacy
Video by BLMNational
<h3>Paria Canyon Backpacking Route</h3>
There are two alternative trailheads – Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass – both narrow slot canyons. Buckskin Gulch, in fact, is one of the longest slot canyons globally. For this trip, we recommend starting at the White House Trailhead for a couple of reasons:
Starting from Buckskin or Wire Pass adds significant distance to the first day, and there are no camping spots until you reach the Paria River.
Both Wire Pass and Buckskin are narrow slot canyons with obstacles and often have deeper water than the Paria Narrows. Carrying a large backpack through here can make the first day much more challenging.
From the White House Trailhead, you still pass through the Paria Narrows, which you miss with the other trailheads. Although not as tight as Buckskin Gulch, the walls of the Paria Narrows narrow to about 6 feet across at some points, offering a unique slot canyon hiking experience.
<h3>Best Time to Hike Paria Canyon</h3>
While Paria Canyon is open year-round for backpacking, late spring and early fall offer the most comfortable air temperatures. These times are also the most popular, so it's crucial to plan well ahead to secure a permit through the lottery system.
The risk of flash floods is highest in July, August, and early September. Flash floods, especially in the Narrows of Paria Canyon, can be extremely hazardous since there's no high ground to seek refuge.
In the days leading up to your trip, always check the weather conditions for Paria Canyon. If rain is in the forecast, contact the Ranger station for advice on whether it's safe to hike.
<h3>Paria Canyon Permits</h3>
Permits are necessary for both day hiking and overnight trips in Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch. Day hiking permits can be obtained on-site at the trailheads with no limit on the number of day hikers, and there's a fee of about $6 per person.
However, overnight permits must be secured through the Paria Canyon online permit application system (https://www.recreation.gov/). No same-day overnight permits are issued. You must pick up your permit within 10 days before your start date from either the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center or the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument/Public Lands Information Center.
The BLM limits overnight permits to a total of 20 people per day across all trailheads in Paria Canyon. When applying for a permit, there's a about $9 reservation fee per group, along with a about $5 permit fee per person per day. If you plan to bring dogs, there's an additional fee of around $5 per dog per day.
When reserving your permit, you'll book for the number of days you intend to spend in the canyon, not the number of nights.
The reservation system opens at 12:00 pm Mountain Time on the 1st day of every month, three months ahead of your hiking month. For instance, on February 1st, permits for hikes in May become available.
Backpacking through Paria Canyon is a quintessential desert adventure. With its vibrant scenery and peaceful solitude away from crowds, Paria Canyon promises an unforgettable experience!
