Reservation6/10
Buckskin Gulch overnight permit
World's longest slot canyon. The day-use permit is sold as a pass with no daily ...
Paria Canyon Through-Hike Permit
Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness · Arizona
Each entry point carries its own quota
38-mile point-to-point slot canyon traverse from White House Trailhead (Utah) to Lees Ferry (Arizona).
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Paria Canyon were gone within 10 minutes.
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Paria Canyon Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh8/10
Cost$6/day
Max Group Size10 people
Paria Canyon Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Paria Canyon in Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Paria Canyon is a high-demand permit, rating 8/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The Paria Canyon route covers 38 miles with 1,200 feet of elevation gain, rated strenuous.
- Cancelled Paria Canyon permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeThru-Hike
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level8/10
LocationUtah/Arizona Border, AZ
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
38 miles
Elevation Gain
1,200 ft
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
3-5 days
Difficulty
StrenuousElevation Range
3,150 - 4,300 ft
Highlights
- •In and out of the river constantly, over cobbled streambed that makes footing difficult
- •Canyon walls reaching 800 feet with sections just 15 feet wide
- •Boulder jams and obstacles requiring scrambling
- •Extremely silty water requiring extensive settling time
- •Complete immersion in a slot canyon ecosystem
- •Potential flash flood conditions during monsoon season
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer ideal temperatures. Summer brings flash flood risk from monsoons and extreme heat. Winter is possible but very cold water makes extended immersion dangerous.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Flash floods—canyon offers no escape for miles. Check weather forecasts for entire watershed.
- !Hypothermia from constant immersion in cold water
- !Quicksand-like mud in some sections
- !Boulder jams requiring careful navigation
- !Very silty water—must settle before filtering
- !No cell service throughout the canyon
- !Rattlesnakes in warmer months
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (3,150 ft)
Today
⛅
93°
68°
Sun
☁️
90°
68°
24%
Mon
🌧️
90°
63°
Tue
🌧️
88°
68°
Wed
🌧️
86°
69°
Thu
☁️
88°
70°
Fri
☀️
88°
69°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand4/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill3/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk4/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation3/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment5/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Experienced desert backpackers comfortable with uncertainty, route-finding, and constant wet feet. Those who understand flash flood risk and can make weather-dependent decisions.
Recommended Experience
Should have desert canyon experience. Multi-day backpacking required. Comfort with wet conditions essential. Understanding of flash flood safety critical.
Not Recommended For
Beginners, those uncomfortable in water, anyone unable to handle 10+ miles of river walking daily, claustrophobic individuals, those who can't exit quickly in emergency.
About This Permit
Paria Canyon is one of the most immersive slot canyon experiences anywhere - a point-to-point backpack from Utah to Arizona down the Paria River, through what BLM describes as a 2,500-foot-deep canyon whose narrows run only a few feet wide in places and several hundred feet deep.
The canyon demands constant river crossings. BLM says to expect to be in and out of the water continuously, over miles of cobbled streambed that make footing difficult, past boulder jams as tall as 20 feet, quicksand, deep mud, and pools cold and deep enough to require swimming.
Overnight entry is capped at 20 people a day, counted cumulatively across all four trailheads, so solitude comes standard. BLM does not limit the number of groups - only the head count, and group size, which tops out at 10.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Paria Canyon represents slot canyon wilderness at its most raw and expansive. The confluence with Buckskin Gulch creates the longest slot canyon system in the world—a geologic marvel that takes days, not hours, to traverse.
The Route
From White House Trailhead, the river immediately claims your feet as you enter the Paria Narrows. The walls grow steadily taller - BLM puts the canyon at 2,500 feet deep. Buckskin Gulch joins from the north, part of what Recreation.gov calls one of the longest slot canyon systems in the United States. Boulder jams, mud pits, and constant river crossings define the middle miles before the canyon opens near Big Water and Wrather Canyon. The final stretch to Lee's Ferry passes ancient petroglyphs and cottonwood groves as the Colorado River draws near.
The Feeling
The canyon walls climb higher with each mile until they block the sky itself, leaving only a ribbon of blue far above. You wade the Paria River dozens of times daily, the silty water swirling around your legs as ancient petroglyphs watch from alcoves. At night, the canyon amplifies every sound—the river's murmur becomes a symphony.
Trailhead Information
White House Trailhead
4,300 ft elevationPrimary starting point for the through-hike, most direct canyon access
Restrooms
No water
No Service
Parking
Reached by a sand and gravel access road. BLM publishes no parking capacity for the trailhead.
Getting There
Dirt road from Highway 89 between Page and Kanab. Passenger cars OK when dry.
Nearest Services
Kanab (43 miles) or Page (30 miles from the Paria Contact Station) - full services
Lee's Ferry
3,150 ft elevationExit point at Colorado River—historic ferry crossing site
Restrooms
Water on site
Weak Signal
Parking
Large parking area. Day use fee required.
Getting There
Off Highway 89A near Marble Canyon, Arizona. Paved access.
Nearest Services
Marble Canyon (5 miles) - gas station, store and post office. Page (42 miles) for full services
Rules & Regulations
- •Overnight permit required (limited to 20 people per day canyon-wide)
- •Permits must be picked up in person, no sooner than 10 days before the trip. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in St. George is open year-round; the Paria Contact Station closes November 15, after which pickup moves to the BLM Kanab Field Office
- •WAG bags required—all human waste must be packed out
- •Campfires prohibited throughout the canyon
- •Group size limited to 10 people
- •Wrather Canyon is closed to camping, and all camping must be at least 200 feet from springs and archaeological sites, in existing campsites
- •Dogs are allowed and cost $5 per dog per day on an overnight permit, the same as a person. Dog waste and the bags must be packed out
Gear Checklist
Required
- WAG bags for human waste (required)
- Water - BLM's permit briefing says a gallon per person per day, and to know where the few sources are
- Water filter AND container for settling silt
- Footwear that drains well and provides support when wet
- Trekking poles for river crossings
- Emergency communication device
Recommended
- Neoprene socks for cold water
- Gaiters to keep debris out of footwear
- Quick-dry clothing
- Drybag for sleeping bag and electronics
- Pre-filter for silty water
- Camp shoes for drying feet at camp
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Paria Canyon
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
Browse all shuttles🧭
Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
Browse all guidesSome links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.
Key Landmarks
↑
1,200ft
Gain↓
2,300ft
Loss⛰️
4,300ft
High📏
38.0mi
Distance📐
0.6%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•8 landmarks
Landmarks (8)
Paria Canyon FAQ
How do I get a Paria Canyon permit?
Paria Canyon permits use a reservation system. PermitSnag sends lottery open, deadline, and results reminders; you can also enable cancellation alerts if spots open later.
When is the best time to visit Paria Canyon?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Paria Canyon permit?
This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Paria Canyon permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Midday offers the best light in slot canyons when sun beams penetrate to the canyon floor. The Narrows section around mile 5-7 catches light beams around noon.
Best Light
Slot canyons are actually best photographed at midday for light shafts. Wider sections at camps photograph well at golden hour.
Beat the Crowds
Overnight entry is capped at 20 people a day across all four trailheads, so the canyon stays quiet. BLM does not cap the number of groups, only the head count. Weekday starts see even fewer hikers.
Classic Shots
- 📍Light beams in the Paria Narrows
- 📍Reflected canyon walls in still water
- 📍Scale shots showing towering walls
- 📍Petroglyphs at Bush Head Canyon
- 📍Wrather Arch side trip
- 📍Buckskin Gulch confluence looking up
Can't Get a Paria Canyon Permit?
Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Buckskin Gulch Day Hike
Easier AlternativeDay hike into Buckskin Gulch from Wire Pass. BLM measures 1.7 miles one-way to the Buckskin confluence and 13 miles one-way to the Paria confluence.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Day-use permit only ($6). Experiences the most dramatic slot canyon sections without multi-day commitment.
Wire Pass to White House Connector
Similar ExperienceAdd Buckskin Gulch to the traverse by starting at Wire Pass—significantly more technical.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Adds the most spectacular slot canyon scenery but also the most challenging obstacles including potential swimming.
Coyote Buttes (The Wave)
Same AreaIconic sandstone formation in the same wilderness area—separate permit lottery.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Day hike only. Even more competitive permits. Different experience (formation vs canyon).
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Paria Canyon trip
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