Location and Description
The 112,500-acre Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness lies approximately 10 miles west of Page, Arizona in Coconino County, Arizona and Kane County, Utah.
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 3,000-foot escarpment known as the Vermilion Cliffs dominates the remainder of the wilderness with its thick Navajo sandstone face, steep, boulder-strewn slopes, rugged arroyos and stark overall appearance. Some of the best slot canyon hiking opportunities on the Colorado Plateau are found here. Deer and desert bighorn sheep inhabit the area.
The wilderness also provides opportunities for backpacking, photography, and solitude. In the northwest portion of the wilderness lies Coyote Buttes, an area of spectacular scenery displaying domes, aprons, fins, corridors, and a variety of small fragile rock sculptures carved in colorful swirling cross bedded sandstone. The variety of colors and textures in the rock formations within the wilderness constantly change with variations in light and weather. This colorful sandstone area creates a feeling of wonder and amazement.
Click here for information on hiking Paria Canyon, Buckskin Gulch, Wire Pass, or Coyote Buttes.
The Paria River is subject to periodic and seasonal flooding. The US Geological Survey collects Paria River streamflow data at their gaging station on the Paria River at Lees Ferry, Arizona.
Access
Access to the northern portion of the wilderness is via U.S. Highway 89, which passes within three miles of the area. U.S. 89A skirts the base of the Vermilion Cliffs on the south while access to the eastern portion is the road to Lee's Ferry. Access on the west is the House Rock/Coyote Valley Road (BLM Road 1065).
Visitor Use Regulations and Permits
The Bureau of Land Management has a partnership with the Arizona Strip Interpretive Association to provide visitor use information for Paria Canyon, Buckskin Gulch, Wire Pass, and Coyote Buttes and Northern Arizona University to administer the permit and fee system for these portions of the wilderness area. A brief summary of visitor use regulations is provided below. Obtain more information on access permits and fees.
Paria Canyon, Buckskin Gulch, and Wire Pass
- Fee area
- Group size is limited to 10
- Permits required for all overnight use
- Overnight use is limited to no more than 20 persons per day from all trail heads
- No permits required for day use; day use children 12 years and under are free
- Special rules apply for visitors with dogs
- No campfires are allowed in Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch
- Please pack out toilet paper as other disposal methods are ineffective.
Coyote Buttes
- Permits and fees required
- Day use only
- Group size is limited to 6
- The area is divided into Coyote North (no more than 10 persons/day) and Coyote South (no more than 10 persons/day)
- Special rules apply for visitors with dogs
White House Campground
- For campground use, visitors deposit fees at the self serve fee station located at the campground.
Nonfederal Lands
Some lands around and within the wilderness are not federally administered. Please respect the property of the owners and do not cross or use these lands without their permission.
Topographic Maps
7.5 minute: House Rock Emmett Hill, Emmett Wash, Bitter Springs, Lees Ferry, Navajo Bridge, The Big Knoll, One Toe Ridge, House Rock Spring, Coyote Buttes, Poverty Flat, Wrather Arch, Water Pockets, Ferry Swale, Arizona; Glen Canyon City, Bridger Point, West Clark Bench, Pine Hollow Canyon, Utah.
Also, Arizona Strip District Visitor Map and Hikers Guide to the Paria Canyon
Game and Fish Management Unit 12B
For more information contact:
Bureau of Land Management
Arizona Strip Field Office
345 East Riverside Drive
St. George, UT 84790
(435) 688-3230
Information from
U.S. Bureau of Land Management,
Office of Public Affairs
