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Overview
The Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness straddles the border of southern Utah and northern Arizona, encompassing roughly 294,000 acres of federally protected land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The landscape is defined by towering cliffs of Navajo and Entrada sandstone painted in shades of orange, red, and white, carved over millennia by wind and water into some of the most striking geology in North America.
The wilderness contains several distinct areas: the Paria Canyon corridor, a multi-day river canyon hike; the Coyote Buttes area, home to the famous Wave formation; Buckskin Gulch, one of the world's longest slot canyons; and the open expanse of the Vermilion Cliffs themselves, which rise dramatically from the Paria Plateau. The region is a magnet for hikers, photographers, and naturalists.
Because it is designated wilderness rather than a national park, visitor services are minimal and the experience is largely self-directed. This is genuinely remote, rugged desert terrain where self-sufficiency and advance planning are essential.
Before You Go
Permits
Many of the most visited areas require advance permits that are allocated by lottery. The Coyote Buttes North permit (for the Wave) is highly competitive and issued through an online lottery system run by Recreation.gov. Coyote Buttes South, the Paria Canyon multi-day route, and day-use of Buckskin Gulch also require permits. Check Recreation.gov and the BLM Arizona Strip Field Office website for current permit windows, quotas, and procedures — these details change and must be verified before your trip.
Physical preparation
Most routes involve uneven desert terrain, deep sand, flash-flood-prone slot canyons, and very limited shade. There are no rescue services on standby in the backcountry. Visitors should be physically fit, experienced with map and compass or GPS navigation, and comfortable with route-finding in unmarked terrain.
Flash flood risk
Flash floods are a serious and sometimes fatal hazard, particularly in slot canyons such as Buckskin Gulch. Storms dozens of miles away can send walls of water through narrow canyon passages with little warning. Monitor weather forecasts for the entire upstream watershed — not just the local forecast — before and during any canyon day. The BLM office can advise on current conditions.
What to bring
- Sufficient water (at least 4 liters per person per day in warm months; water sources in the backcountry must be treated before drinking)
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, UV-rated clothing
- Detailed topographic maps and a GPS device
- A personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator
- High-calorie food for any multi-day trip
- Leave No Trace supplies including waste bags for human waste where no facilities exist
Getting There
The wilderness has no single entrance and is accessed via several remote paved and dirt roads. The nearest towns with services are Kanab, Utah (roughly 30 miles northwest of key trailheads) and Page, Arizona (approximately 40 miles to the southeast). Both towns have gas stations, grocery stores, and lodging options.
The primary highway access route is US-89, which runs between Kanab and Page along the southern edge of the area. House Rock Valley Road (BLM Road 1065) is an unpaved road that provides access to Coyote Buttes trailheads and is impassable when wet — even high-clearance 4WD vehicles can become stuck in muddy conditions after rain.
The closest commercial airports are in St. George, Utah (approximately 80 miles northwest of Kanab) and Las Vegas, Nevada (approximately 170 miles west). Page, Arizona has a small regional airport with limited service. A personal vehicle — ideally a high-clearance 4WD — is effectively essential for reaching most trailheads. There is no public transportation to or within the wilderness.
Getting Around
Navigation within the wilderness is entirely self-directed. Trailheads are signed but trails themselves are often unmarked or faintly marked. Detailed USGS 7.5-minute topographic maps covering the specific areas you plan to visit are strongly recommended. GPS tracks are widely shared in hiking communities but should be used as a supplement to, not a replacement for, map-reading skills.
Many visitors base themselves in Kanab and make day trips, which is practical for Coyote Buttes and the White Pocket area. The full Paria Canyon multi-day route (approximately 38 miles from White House trailhead in Utah to Lees Ferry in Arizona) requires a vehicle shuttle or pre-arranged pickup at the terminus. Verify shuttle logistics locally before your trip.
Things to See & Do
The Wave (Coyote Buttes North)
The Wave is a undulating sandstone formation of extraordinary color and geometry — arguably the most photographed rock formation in the American Southwest. Access is strictly permit-controlled, with a small number of permits issued daily by lottery. Do not attempt to visit without a valid permit; rangers do check.
Buckskin Gulch
At roughly 13 miles in length and in places only a few feet wide with walls hundreds of feet high, Buckskin Gulch is one of the most dramatic slot canyon hikes on the continent. It can be done as a long day hike from the Wire Pass or Buckskin trailheads, or as part of a multi-day Paria Canyon traverse. Flash flood risk is real and must be assessed seriously before entry.
Paria Canyon Multi-Day Backpack
The full Paria Canyon route is a 3–5 day backpacking trip through a remote river canyon, involving dozens of river crossings, narrows, side canyons, and archaeological sites. A permit is required; group size is limited. The hike ends at historic Lees Ferry on the Colorado River.
White Pocket
White Pocket is a lesser-visited area of wildly contorted and colorful rock formations accessible by a long, sandy 4WD track. Unlike Coyote Buttes, it currently does not require a permit (verify current regulations with the BLM, as this can change), but the access road demands true 4WD capability and experience driving deep sand.
Wildlife and photography
The region supports California condors — among the rarest birds in the world, reintroduced to the Vermilion Cliffs in 1996. Condors are frequently spotted soaring above the cliffs near the release site on the Paria Plateau. Desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, and various raptor species are also present. The low light pollution makes for exceptional night-sky photography.
Practical Information
Fees and permits
Recreation.gov is the primary platform for permit applications and, where applicable, camping fees. Verify all fees and procedures on Recreation.gov and with the BLM Arizona Strip Field Office directly, as these can change between seasons.
Cell service
Cell coverage is extremely limited or nonexistent throughout most of the wilderness. Download offline maps before leaving town. A satellite communicator (such as a SPOT or Garmin inReach device) is strongly recommended for any backcountry trip.
Nearest services
Kanab, Utah is the most convenient base for supplies, fuel, and lodging. Page, Arizona is the alternative option, particularly for those approaching from the east. Stock up on food, water, and fuel before departing for any trailhead — there are no services within the wilderness.
BLM contact
The BLM Arizona Strip Field Office in St. George, Utah manages much of this area. Their official website and phone line (verify the current number on the BLM website) can provide up-to-date permit information, road conditions, and flash flood advisories.
Waste management
Human waste disposal requirements vary by zone. In many areas, a WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) bag system or similar is required. Confirm current requirements with the BLM before your trip and carry appropriate supplies.
Safety
Flash floods are the single most serious hazard in this landscape. Never enter Buckskin Gulch or other slot canyons if there is any chance of upstream precipitation; always check multi-day forecasts for the entire watershed. Heed BLM advisories.
Heat and dehydration are significant risks from May through September, when temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C) at lower elevations. Start hikes early in the morning, carry more water than you think you need, and know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The terrain is uneven and there are very few trail markers. Becoming lost in remote desert can quickly become life-threatening. Always carry a detailed map, a charged GPS device, and a personal locator beacon or satellite communicator. Tell someone your itinerary and expected return time before departing.
The nearest hospitals are in St. George, Utah and Flagstaff, Arizona — both well over an hour from most trailheads under ideal conditions. Emergency response times in this wilderness can be very long. Self-rescue capability and prevention are paramount.
