Paria Canyon itinerary
Every published mile marker on the Paria Canyon route, in order, with the distance and elevation change between each one — and which permit each stretch needs. To watch dates and set alerts, go to the Paria Canyon Overnight permit page.
Which permit covers this route
The Paria Canyon. One reservation is a trailhead or zone plus an entry date; you roam after that, issued by reservation.
- Stops mapped
- 9
- Across the markers
- 38.0 mi
- Published route length
- 38 mi
- Published ascent
- 1,200 ft
How long it takes: 4-5 days. That is the figure the permit publishes — this page does not divide the route into days, because no source records which stop you sleep at.
The stops below are the route's published mile markers, in order, with the elevations recorded against each one.
Distance and elevation change on each leg are the difference between the two published figures either side of it, so the legs are arithmetic on the markers and nothing more.
The Paria Canyon route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
4,300 ft
White House Trailhead
Starting point in Utah. Ranger station, parking, permit pickup.
3.0 miles · 100 ft down to First Narrows
Mile 3.0
4,200 ft
First Narrows
Canyon walls begin to rise significantly.
2.0 miles · 50 ft down to Paria Narrows
Mile 5.0
4,150 ft
Paria Narrows
Deepest section. 800-foot walls, 15-foot passages.
2.0 miles · 50 ft down to Buckskin Gulch Confluence
Mile 7.0
4,100 ft
Buckskin Gulch Confluence
World's longest slot canyon enters from right.
8.0 miles · 200 ft down to Slide Rock Arch
Mile 15.0
3,900 ft
Slide Rock Arch
Natural arch visible from river.
7.0 miles · 200 ft down to Big Water Spring
Mile 22.0
3,700 ft
Big Water Spring
Spring and common camp. BLM says springs here are an emergency source, not a primary one - carry your own water.
8.0 miles · 200 ft down to Wrather Canyon
Mile 30.0
3,500 ft
Wrather Canyon
Side canyon with natural arch.
5.0 miles · 100 ft down to Bush Head Canyon
Mile 35.0
3,400 ft
Bush Head Canyon
Significant petroglyph panels.
3.0 miles · 200 ft down to Lee's Ferry
Mile 38.0
3,200 ft
Lee's Ferry
Terminus at Colorado River. Historic site.
Getting a Paria Canyon for the dates you want
Planning the route is the easy half. Paria Canyon dates go fast, and the ones that come back are cancellations — they return to the booking system without warning and are gone again quickly. PermitSnag watches Paria Canyon around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.