Buckskin gulch is a long slot canyon tributary to paria canyon. Wire pass, buckskin gulch and white house are on the upper end of the canyon. The paria river canyon hike is located around the utaharizona border in paria canyon vermilion cliffs wilderness. Not much water in the lower end of buckskin, but i cant speak for anything above the rock jam. Backpacker paria canyon backpacking wildland trekking. Paria river paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness. Ive been doing a lot of reading and internet research, but i thought id try this forum to get some real time information from canyoneers familiar with the area. Buckskin gulch paria river semiloop paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness. But paria canyon is a mystically beautiful slot canyon holier than. A fiveday, family backpacking trip in paria canyon, in southern utah and northern arizona.
The canyon beckons backpackers from all over the globe and is. Paria canyon tours, white pocket, the wave, vermillion cliffs. This web site allows you to check permit availability, and apply for and purchase a permit for hiking in paria canyon, part of the paria canyonvermilion cliffs. You need a permit for day hiking and overnight trips in paria canyon and buckskin. The paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness is a 112,500 acres 455 km 2 wilderness area located in northern arizona and southern utah, united states, within the arid colorado plateau. Our slot canyons traverse backpacking trip is a 5day, 4night thruhike from upper paria canyon to where it enters the colorado river east of the grand.
Paria canyon, kanab national geographic map a good topo map is essential for any backpacking trip, and this one is detailed and reliable. The standard group size on paria canyon backpacking trips is 6 guests and 1 guides, with a maximum of 8 guests and 2 guides. National geographic maps makes the worlds best wall maps, recreation maps, travel maps, atlases and globes for people to explore and understand the world. This web site allows you to check permit availability, and apply for and purchase a permit for hiking in paria canyon, part of the paria canyon vermilion cliffs wilderness. The visitor rules apply to the paria canyon, buckskin gulch, and wire pass portions of the paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness, azut. Jun, 2004 ever since doing a quick overnight trip into buckskin gulch back in 1996, i have always wanted to go again and spend more time both there and paria canyon.
Another option is to hang a right and venture upstream through buckskin wash. Arizona strip field office vermilion cliffs national monument kanab field office has been prepared by the us department of the interior bureau of land mangement to help visitors enjoy their visit to the paria canyon portion of the paria canyon vermilion cliffs wilderness. The hike through the canyon doesnt follow a trail, instead hikers follow the river for 38 miles. Living in the civilized world just got more difficult. The paria canyon backpacking tour starts at the white house trailhead near the arizonautah border. Middle trail to white house trailhead arizona alltrails. We have our permit, camping gear, and maps but we are still discussing what type of footwear is best for this wet and sandy environment. Paria canyon directions from mount carmel junction, drive 17 miles to kanab. Hike through paria canyon, paria canyon the outbound.
The objectives of the rules are to prevent further damage to wilderness resources and to improve visitors opportunities to enjoy the area. Paria canyon and buckskin gulch offer some really amazing slot canyon hiking with areas as narrow as 2ft in the gulch, but you better be ready to get wet. Click picture for larger view, click your browsers back button to return to this page. While many are lured and wait their turn to visit the. I just got home from an amazing backpacking trip through paria canyon, which sits on the edge of the southern utah arizona border. Its neat how so many different trees, cacti, and plants could live deep in the canyon. This route widens out and contains areas for pitching a tent and often takes 35 days of hiking. Slot canyons experience backpacking tour wildland trekking. Paria canyon vermillion cliffs wilderness backpacking light. Its the first day of our twofamily, fiveday, 38mile backpacking trip down paria canyon, which straddles the border of utah and arizona and joins the colorado river at lees. Help planning a trip to buckskin gulchparia canyon in. If you like mud, rivers, slot canyons, awesome rock formations, and a vastly varied beautiful landscape, then this trip is for you.
You will be taken to a screen where you are required to watch a video about the paria canyon and vermilion cliffs wilderness, this is a very informative and interesting video, watch it. Advance permits are required to visit paria canyon. Mar 28, 2016 a fiveday, family backpacking trip in paria canyon, in southern utah and northern arizona. While many are lured and wait their turn to visit the infamous wave in the north coyote buttes, the white pocket area to the east is seldom visited. The canyon beckons backpackers from all over the globe and is listed as one of the most dangerous hikes in the united states. Paria canyon arizona 2020 all you need to know before.
Thats exactly what youll be doing when setting out on an overnight adventure through one of the worlds longest, deepest, slot canyons, buckskin gulch and into paria canyon. Marble canyon airport, is a privately owned, publicuse airport located 1. If you have more questions about group size, please give. Paria canyon, kanab national geographic map a good topo map is essential for any backpacking trip, and this one. The visitor rules apply to the paria canyon, buckskin gulch, and wire pass portions of the paria canyon vermilion cliffs wilderness, azut. On june 1st, my wife shannon, best friend jeff and i headed up north for a 5 day, 48 mile backpacking trip through buckskin gulch and paria canyon, near page, arizona. If you take cottonwood you need to watch the weather and road conditions, but often you can. Im new to forum and am considering a trip to buckskin gulchparia canyon in early november. Once you confirm there is availability for your desired trip date you can apply for the permit by clicking the date. Backpacking the paria canyon the national parks girl. Best trails in paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness area. The objectives of the rules are to prevent further. Not much water in the lower end of buckskin, but i cant speak for. Solitude and scenic splendor abound on this bucket list hike.
Alltrails has 17 great hiking trails, views trails, wildlife. Paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness permit system. The special attractions are the high, sculpted redrock walls in paria canyon, and, if you choose to add it, buckskin. Paria canyon wilderness area big water 2020 all you need. Buckskin gulch is the worlds longest slot canyon, and paria canyon is simply a beautiful place. This is necessary since it is not safe, nor is there anywhere to camp in the slot canyons.
Views of paria canyon us department of the interior what makes it great. Paria canyon, kanab vermillion cliffs national monument. Overview the 112,500acre paria canyon vermilion cliffs wilderness lies approximately 10 miles west of page, arizona in coconino county, arizona and kane county, utah. I tried to use this map in conjunction with the book hiking and exploring the paria river by kelsey. It is managed as wilderness and regarded as one of the worlds best hiking destinations. Thirtyeight miles long and flanked by brilliantly colored vertical rock walls, paria canyon has been carved by the paria river which runs the length of the canyon. We hiked the paria canyon april 2125, starting at the wirepass trailhead to buckskin gulch and then on to the confluence with the paria river on day one. This is where you will finish your hike, unless you hike from lees ferry and go up canyon to one of the other three trailheads. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1800715hike 4453 and well answer all your questions. Paria canyon primitive area blm is located across the utaharizona border, in the southcentral part of utah. Navigating the twists and turns of these canyons can be tricky due to. The ultimate paria canyon backpacking guide amanda outside.
It has information on trailheads, campsites, mileage, and water sources. Twisting through the slots of paria canyon is a thruhike you will be talking about for months. Buckskin gulch and paria canyon backpacking guide cleverhiker. In 2004, i finally got the pleasure of returning, along with my wife and one of my best friends, jeff. For detailed information on how the permit system works, click here. I damn near stepped on a baby rattlesnake, so watch your step if you go.
Paria canyon white pocket the wave the area of white pocket on the paria plateau in northern arizona is very impressive indeed. The canyon walls took on a gentler slope, and there were more plants and beaches. This trip report describes entering the paria via the superslot canyon, buckskin gulch, and exiting the top portion of the paria canyon. We have our permit, camping gear, and maps but we are still discussing what type of. George, utah where we get an early start and drive to the remote trailhead. Paria canyon backpacking utah backpacking trips utah. The wave the area called top rock, is a collection of white navajo sandstone formations. Would anyone be able to recommend a shuttle from lees ferry to whitehouse. Together with paria, a number of hiking options exist here, with one route stretching for some 38 miles, from trailheads near the utaharizona border down to lees ferry on the colorado river. This backpacking trips begins at one of the trailheads in utah, and ends at lees ferry in arizona you can do it in the opposite direction as well youll have to pick up your permit in person in kanab, ut.
This would be my first experience with canyon hiking out west. The united states congress designated the paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness map of the paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness in 1984 and it now has a total of see paria canyon. The wilderness is composed of broad plateaus, tall escarpments, and deep canyons. Paria canyon, kanab vermillion cliffs national monument, grand staircaseescalante national monument national geographic trails illustrated map 859 national geographic maps trails illustrated on. Located on the utaharizona border in the paria canyon vermillion cliffs wilderness, backpacking paria canyon involves 38 miles of hiking down the meandering riverbed in between two enormous walls of navajo sandstone. The special attractions are the high, sculpted redrock walls in paria canyon, and, if you choose to add it, buckskin gulch. Jan 01, 2015 paria canyon, kanab vermillion cliffs national monument, grand staircaseescalante national monument national geographic trails illustrated map 859 national geographic maps trails illustrated on. You will be taken to a screen where you are required to watch a video about. On june 1st, my wife shannon, best friend jeff and i headed up north for a 5 day, 48 mile backpacking trip through buckskin gulch and paria. Hiking and exploring the paria river michael kelsey. Overview the 112,500acre paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness lies approximately 10 miles west of page, arizona in coconino county, arizona and kane county, utah.
Would anyone be able to recommend a shuttle from lees ferry to. Paria canyon trail is one of the premier hikes within the colorado plateau. From the trailhead, we hike a short distance before entering the paria drainage. Arizona strip field office vermilion cliffs national monument kanab field office has been prepared by the us department of the interior bureau of land. Considered one of the worlds longest, deepest slot canyons. If you take cottonwood you need to watch the weather and road conditions, but often you can ride the rolde with an rv or a regular car. The blm only allows 20 people to enter the canyon for an overnight hike each day to preserve the delicate ecosystem of the canyon and to preserve the true wilderness feeling. Paria canyon is a valley in utah and has an elevation of 4196 feet.
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. The days hike continues downstream and gradually the wash begins to resemble a canyon as the navajo sandstone walls rise on either side. Backpack canyoneering paria canyon, utah rei coop journal. Buckskin gulch is a superlative narrows hike that ends in a confluence with paria canyon. Marble canyon airport is situated 5 miles southwest of paria canyon. This is a vast and intensly diverse landscape of almost a million and a half acres, containing some of the most colorful and picturesquely shaped formations on the planet. The paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness area, part of the vermilion cliffs national monument, encompasses one of the finest canyons in the american southwest and one of the. Oct 17, 2017 buckskin gulch and paria canyon backpacking guide october 17, 2017 dave collins located in the vermilion cliffs wilderness of utah and arizona, this spectacular and unique hike winds through one of the deepest and longest slot canyons in the world. My friend and i hiked paria canyon last week and hiked part way up buckskin gulch from the confluence. The wide, shallow canyon quickly narrows as the sandstone walls begin to rise overhead. The hike is so beautiful that most people recommend at least 4 or 5 days. Mar 08, 2017 my friend and i hiked paria canyon last week and hiked part way up buckskin gulch from the confluence. Paria canyonvermilion cliffs wilderness area bureau of.
Ever since doing a quick overnight trip into buckskin gulch back in 1996, i have always wanted to go again and spend more time both there and paria canyon. Paria canyon arizona 2020 all you need to know before you. In april, i spent four days backpacking through the crazy impressive and winding paria river canyon. Mar 29, 2016 throughout our first day in paria, we walk between walls that rise higher the farther we go, and are pockmarked with windows, or alcoves ranging in size from big enough for a bird to big enough for all five kids to clamber inside for a photo, and sometimes so numerous they actually resemble rows of windows in a multistory building. Caltopo is another excellent pretrip mapping software that we recommend. Together with paria, a number of hiking options exist here, with one route stretching for some 38 miles, from trailheads near the utaharizona. To get there, one travels east on hwy 89 from kanab, utah. The area of white pocket on the paria plateau in northern arizona is very impressive indeed. This classic hike begins at the wire pass trailhead following buckskin gulch to its junction with. While there are three different starting trailheads for paria canyon, most people choose to do a oneway hike from the white house trailhead near the paria. We are planning on hiking all 40 miles of paria canyon, utah in midapril of this year. A thrilling combination of hiking and canyoneering, this hike explores one of utahs most famous and beautiful slot. With this paria canyon backpacking guide, learn all you need to know about camping, permits, and gear for this 38 mile trail along the utaharizona border.
Paria canyon backpacking guide backpacking guide, paria. On the third day we finally were out of the narrows. The paria canyon vermilion cliffs wilderness is a 112,500 acres 455 km 2 wilderness area located in northern arizona and southern utah, united states, within the arid colorado plateau region. Jul 10, 2016 much like the nearby buckskin gulchwhich paria canyon intersects with eventuallycliffs tower high above you and the smoothed navajo sandstone creates marvelous views around each bend. The united states congress designated the paria canyon vermilion cliffs wilderness map of the paria canyon vermilion cliffs wilderness in 1984 and it now has a total of see paria canyon vermilion cliffs wilderness breakdown of 110,816 acres.
Help planning a trip to buckskin gulchparia canyon in november. The south end of top rock divides north and south coyote buttes. There are three trailheads you can use to hike paria canyon. While you will engage in over 200 water crossings, i definitely. It seems that all the links i find for a shuttle are dead now. Wondering if anyone has spent any time in around paria canyon vermillion cliffs wilderness at the northern arizona utah border. This is the map and trail guide for hiking paria canyon and the buckskin gulch, part of the paria canyon vermilion cliffs wilderness area. Paria canyon tours, white pocket, the wave, vermillion. The wave is a chasm located on the northwest edge of top rock. After final preparations, you will begin your hike along the paria river. Paria outpost has been providing guided photography, scenic, adventure, and hiking tours in the vermilion cliffs and grand staircase national monuments for 22 years. You can press on down paria canyon toward lees ferry and the colorado river, a popular decision for expedition backpackers.