Paria Canyon Permit: Route
Paria Canyon permits are booked by advance reservation in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The route covers 38 miles.
Walk 38 miles through one of the deepest and longest slot canyon systems on Earth, where thousand-foot walls close in until the sky becomes a narrow ribbon overhead.
This guide covers the Paria Canyon Overnight permit.
4-5 days
Duration
38 miles
Distance
1,200'
Elevation Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
About Paria Canyon
Paria Canyon is a 38-mile through-hike from White House Trailhead (Utah) to Lee's Ferry (Arizona). The route passes through some of the deepest slot canyon terrain on Earth, with walls reaching 800 feet while narrowing to 15 feet. Overnight permits are required and limited to 20 people per day. The 4-5 day journey involves constant river wading, making water management critical.
Paria Canyon is slot canyon wilderness at its most sustained. BLM describes a 2,500-foot-deep canyon whose narrows, where it meets Buckskin Gulch at the Arizona-Utah border, run only a few feet wide and several hundred feet deep. Recreation.gov calls the Paria, Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass together one of the longest slot canyon systems in the United States.
The Paria Canyon route
- Distance
- 38 miles
- Route type
- point-to-point
- Elevation gain
- 1,200 ft
- High point
- 4,300 ft
- Low point
- 3,200 ft
- Trip length
- 4-5 days
- Difficulty
- strenuous
Points along the route
- White House TrailheadMile 0, 4,300 ft
- First NarrowsMile 3, 4,200 ft
- Paria NarrowsMile 5, 4,150 ft
- Buckskin Gulch ConfluenceMile 7, 4,100 ft
- Slide Rock ArchMile 15, 3,900 ft
- Big Water SpringMile 22, 3,700 ft
- Wrather CanyonMile 30, 3,500 ft
- Bush Head CanyonMile 35, 3,400 ft
- Lee's FerryMile 38, 3,200 ft
Paria Canyon permit detailsandAll Vermilion Cliffs National Monument permits
The Experience
The river claims your feet from the first step and doesn't release them for four days. You wade through silt-laden water while walls climb higher with each mile. At the narrows, the sky shrinks to a sliver of blue barely visible between sandstone cliffs taller than skyscrapers. Time loses meaning. The canyon becomes your entire world.
From White House Trailhead in Utah, the river hiking begins immediately. The first miles establish the pattern: wade, walk, wade, walk. At mile 5, the canyon walls reach their maximum height in the Paria Narrows, 800 feet of vertical sandstone with passages only 15 feet wide.
Buckskin Gulch enters from the right at mile 7, adding its drainage to the Paria. From here, the canyon gradually opens while maintaining its beauty. Bush Head Canyon at mile 35 contains significant rock art panels. The terminus at Lee's Ferry marks the Colorado River and the Arizona border.
What to Expect
38 miles over 4-5 days
50-100+ river crossings per day
Walls reaching 800 feet, passages as narrow as 15 feet
Extremely silty water requiring settling time before filtering
Overnight entry capped at 20 people a day, counted across all four trailheads
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Permit Requirements
Overnight permit required (reservation or lottery)
Maximum 10 people per group
WAG bags required for human waste
No fires
Permit pickup required at White House Ranger Station
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •WAG bags (mandatory)
- •Water filter AND container for settling silt
- •4L water capacity minimum
- •Footwear that drains well
- •Trekking poles for river crossings
Recommended Gear
- •Gaiters to keep rocks out of boots
- •Quick-dry clothing
- •Wetsuit in spring/fall
- •Camp shoes for dry feet at night
- •Detailed topo maps
Hazards & Safety
Flash floods. Canyon offers no escape for miles. Check weather for entire watershed.
Hypothermia from constant cold water immersion
Quicksand-like mud in some areas
Very silty water. Must settle 30+ minutes before filtering.
No cell service entire route
Best Time to Visit
March-May and September-November. Summer brings flash flood risk during monsoons. Winter is cold but hikeable.
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Paria Canyon permit?
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Paria Canyon permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Paria Canyon?
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March-May and September-November. Summer brings flash flood risk during monsoons. Winter is cold but hikeable.
How long is the Paria Canyon route?
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The route is 38 miles, as a point-to-point. Plan on 4-5 days.
How difficult is the Paria Canyon route?
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Experienced desert backpackers comfortable with uncertainty and constant wet feet.
What gear do I need for the Paria Canyon route?
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Essential gear includes: WAG bags (mandatory), Water filter AND container for settling silt, 4L water capacity minimum, Footwear that drains well, Trekking poles for river crossings.
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Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Paria Canyon availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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