Can You Hike In Paria Canyon?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Backpacking Paria Canyon involves at least a 38-mile hike through the Paria River surrounded by huge Navajo sandstone walls

. It’s a remote hike, so if you’re looking for solitude, you’ll find it on this backpacking trip.

Can you hike in Vermilion Cliffs?

Other areas within the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness are

accessible with permits for day hiking

, such as Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch, arguably the best slot-canyon hiking experience in the Southwest. Advance permits are required for overnight camping in Paria Canyon.

Where can I hike in Vermilion Cliffs without a permit?

You do not need a permit to enter the monument (

drive through on the scenic route

), however some areas of the park require a permit for access – North Coyote Buttes (The Wave), South Coyote Buttes and Paria Canyon.

How do I get to Paria Canyon?

You can enter the Paria Canyon / Buckskin Gulch permit area

using one of four trailheads: Wire Pass, White House, Buckskin Gulch, and Lees Ferry trailheads

. This day-use permit does not give you permission to enter Coyote Buttes North (The Wave).

Do you need a permit for Paria Canyon?

Permit & Season Information


This permit is required in order to camp overnight in the canyon

. You must apply for, obtain, and purchase a permit in advance and pick up your permit in person within 10 days of the start date of your trip.

Where does the Paria River start?

Colorado River

How do I get to Paria mountains?

How to get there:

From Kanab, Utah, take US-89 east for approximately 32.5 miles

. There will be a sign that reads “Old Pahreah Townsite.” Turn left into the large, round gravel parking area, and you will see some plaques and large stone landmarks. If coming from Page, Arizona, take US-89 for 40.5 miles.

Where is Zebra slot canyon?

Named for it’s striking orange-striped walls, Zebra Slot Canyon is located in

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

, a vast, remote area of Southern Utah.

Do I need a tour for Vermilion Cliffs?

North / South Coyote Buttes


All tours to Vermilion require hiking

, not advisable for small children.

Can you tour Vermilion Cliffs on your own?


The Wave requires a permit

. over a year ago. Really nice viewing of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument can be done by just driving along U.S. Highway 89A between Jacob Lake, Arizona and Marble Canyon, Arizona. In order to see The Wave, you must be issued a permit by the Bureau of Land Management in Kanab, Utah…

Can you drive through Marble Canyon?


As you drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon you travel along the Vermillion Cliffs from Navajo Bridge to Marble Canyon

. You can also see the cliffs from a distance at Point Imperial. It is a wall of cliffs with a variety of colors. Along this road you sometimes feel as lonely as the Maytag repairman.

Can you go to Vermillion Cliffs without a permit?


You must have a permit to hike in Coyote Buttes North (the Wave), Coyote Buttes South, and for overnight trips within Paria Canyon

. Learn more about permits for Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. There are no visitor centers on the monument.

What are the Vermilion Cliffs famous for?

Known for its

colorful swirls of slickrock

, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is a sherbet-colored dream world filled with fantastical rock formations like The Wave, White Pockets, and Buckskin Gulch.

How far is Vermillion Cliffs from page?

It may be about

50 miles

.

Where is the Paria River?

The Paria River /pəˈriːə/ is a tributary of the Colorado River, approximately 95 miles (153 km) long, in

southern Utah and northern Arizona in the United States

. It drains a rugged and arid region northwest of the Colorado, flowing through roadless slot canyons along part of its course.

Where are the Paria mountains?

Paria or Pahreah, is a ghost town

on the Paria River in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in central Kane County, Utah, United States

. It was inhabited from 1870 to 1929, and later used as a filming location.

What does the Paria Canyon look like?

Nationally known for its beauty, the Paria Canyon has

towering walls streaked with desert varnish, huge red rock amphitheaters, sandstone arches, wooded terraces, and hanging gardens

.

What happens if you hike the wave without a permit?

If you choose to hike The Wave without a permit,

you risk a fine of up to $10,000 per person. (Minimum $1,000.) If the BLM chooses to prosecute, you could also face up to 1 full year in jail

. You’ll also be permanently banned from applying for Wave permits in the future.

How hard is the wave hike?

Difficulty. The Wave hike is

moderate in difficulty

. The trail is 3 miles one-way in wilderness land. It’s also a low trafficked trail so you won’t see a distinct path part of the way unless there is sand or dirt.

What is the longest slot canyon in the world?


Buckskin Gulch, Utah

Buckskin is the longest slot canyon in the U.S., and some consider it the longest in the world. It’s also one of the most dangerous. The 12-mile path barely stretches more than 10 feet wide, and the walls are about 400 feet tall at the canyon’s deepest point.

Where does the Paria River End?

Colorado River

How did Paria canyon get its name?


The river’s name, sometimes spelled Pahreah, is Paiute for “muddy water.”

Ancient petroglyphs and campsites indicate that ancestral Puebloan people traveled the Paria more than 700 years ago. They hunted mule deer and bighorn sheep while using the broad lower end of the canyon to grow corn, beans, and squash.

How do you pronounce Paria River?

Where are the rainbow rocks in Utah?

Status: Open Nearest Town: Moab Nearest Town w/ Services: Moab Official Road Name: Management Agency: Bureau of Land Management

What is Paria Townsite Utah?

The Paria townsite is worth a visit for its interesting history and beautiful red-rock scenery. This site is

home to an old town settlement (called Pahreah)

. It was most active throughout the 1870s. Regular flash flooding eventually drove the residents away.

Where are the Rainbow mountains in Arizona?


Vermilion Cliffs, Arizona, USA

These days, these mountains are pretty isolated and deserted, making up a National Monument spanning almost 300,000 acres. The edges have some of the best rainbow formations, like the Paria River Gorge to the north and Coyote Buttes and the Wave to the west.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.