Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Utah / Arizona, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Deep slot canyon (1,100–1,500 m)
- Best season
- April – May, October – November
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
Key takeaways
- Biome: Deep slot canyon (1,100–1,500 m)
- Best season: April – May, October – November
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch
Topic summary
The longest slot canyon in the world — a 38-mile Colorado tributary from Wire Pass to Lees Ferry.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: April – May, October – November
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Deep slot canyon (1,100–1,500 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch trip tools
How to get there
The regional setting is near Arizona’s northern border with Utah. Kanab, Utah, is a BLM visitor-center contact location for The Wave area. Confirm canyon-specific driving directions and trailhead access with the appropriate managing office before departure.
- Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument visitor center in Kanab
A BLM information contact in Kanab, Utah, for The Wave area. Treat it as a planning contact, not as a Paria Canyon or Buckskin Gulch trailhead.
- Coyote Buttes
The slopes containing The Wave within the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. This is a regional orientation point; it does not establish a canyon access point or driving approach.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
Animals around Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Paria Canyon & Buckskin GulchAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch
Planning to fish Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch, Arizona? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Arizona are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch?
- A Arizona fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Arizona fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch
Thinking about hunting Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch, Arizona? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Arizona are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch?
- Confirm the land around Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Arizona?
- A Arizona hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Setting and trip scope
The Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness lies in the Colorado Plateau landscape near the Utah–Arizona border. Within it, Coyote Buttes contains The Wave, a sandstone formation on the Arizona side known for colorful, undulating rock. That setting provides useful geographic context, but a hike to The Wave should not be treated as a route description for Paria Canyon or Buckskin Gulch. These are distinct trip objectives, and canyon planning requires destination-specific access and route information. Before committing to an itinerary, establish the exact starting point, intended route, exit and applicable access requirements with the managing agency. The regional landmarks listed below are orientation points, not a verified list of canyon trailheads or connected hiking routes.
Terrain and preparation
Sandstone terrain is central to this part of the Colorado Plateau. At The Wave, the rock forms colorful curves and undulations, and reaching the formation involves a difficult hike. That description is not a reliable measure of the demands of a Paria Canyon or Buckskin Gulch outing. Match equipment and experience to the specific route rather than to photographs of the surrounding landscape. Carry navigation tools, adequate drinking water and clothing suited to the expected weather, and check conditions before leaving. Do not assume that a recognizable regional landmark provides a practical canyon entry or exit. A useful trip plan needs confirmed access, a realistic assessment of the terrain and a clear understanding of how the group will return.
Management and careful travel
The Bureau of Land Management administers The Wave area, with a visitor-center contact in Kanab, Utah, associated with Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. Use that contact to identify the appropriate office for the intended canyon trip and confirm current access requirements. Access arrangements for one named attraction should not be assumed to cover another destination within the broader wilderness landscape. The sandstone at The Wave is described as fragile, making careful movement and avoidance of damage especially important there. Keep the distinction between sightseeing objectives and canyon travel explicit when discussing plans with land managers. Ask for destination-specific guidance before choosing an approach, and resolve uncertainties about the intended route rather than filling them with assumptions from nearby hikes.
Route options
- The Wave hikeDifficult
A hike to a colorful, undulating sandstone formation on the slopes of Coyote Buttes. This is a separate objective, not a verified route through Paria Canyon or Buckskin Gulch. Confirm access requirements with the BLM.
- Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
A broader area for destination-specific route planning, not a defined hiking itinerary. Obtain a confirmed canyon route, entry and exit from the managing agency before treating it as a trip option.
Sample itineraries
- Kanab-based planning day · 1 day
Use Kanab as a planning stop before entering Paria Canyon or Buckskin Gulch. Contact the BLM visitor center for current access guidance, route information and conditions. Choose a canyon itinerary only after confirming entry points, water needs and an appropriate turnaround or exit.
- Coyote Buttes and The Wave · 2 days
A separate nearby option, not a Paria Canyon or Buckskin Gulch route: spend the first day in Kanab confirming access and preparing. If authorized, reserve the second day for the difficult hike to The Wave on the slopes of Coyote Buttes. Protect the fragile sandstone.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; confirm local conditions before departure
Arizona has varied terrain and climates. Do not treat a regional forecast as a canyon forecast. Confirm conditions for the specific route before choosing clothing, water supplies and daily objectives.
Summer
Summer; choose dates using current local guidance
Plan water, sun protection and exertion around the local forecast. The Wave involves a difficult hike; its demands should inform preparation rather than expectations based on photographs.
Fall
Fall; verify conditions for the intended route
Do not assume a seasonal label guarantees suitable hiking conditions. Check the forecast and managing-agency guidance, then adjust layers, water and the day's objective.
Winter
Winter; confirm weather and access before travel
Account for the region's varied climates when packing. Check temperatures and route conditions rather than assuming that an Arizona destination will be warm.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; confirm local conditions before departure | Arizona has varied terrain and climates. Do not treat a regional forecast as a canyon forecast. Confirm conditions for the specific route before choosing clothing, water supplies and daily objectives. |
| Summer | Summer; choose dates using current local guidance | Plan water, sun protection and exertion around the local forecast. The Wave involves a difficult hike; its demands should inform preparation rather than expectations based on photographs. |
| Fall | Fall; verify conditions for the intended route | Do not assume a seasonal label guarantees suitable hiking conditions. Check the forecast and managing-agency guidance, then adjust layers, water and the day's objective. |
| Winter | Winter; confirm weather and access before travel | Account for the region's varied climates when packing. Check temperatures and route conditions rather than assuming that an Arizona destination will be warm. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements, fees and reservation procedures for Paria Canyon, Buckskin Gulch and any separate Coyote Buttes visit with the Bureau of Land Management.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- The hike to The Wave is described as difficult. Match the objective to the group's fitness and allow room to turn back.
- Regional climate varies; unsuitable clothing or water planning can turn a demanding hike into a safety problem. Use a route-specific forecast.
- The Wave's sandstone is fragile. Avoid actions that damage the formation, and follow managing-agency guidance.
What to pack for Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch
- Current route information confirmed with the managing agency
- Map appropriate to the authorized route
- Written access and exit plan
- Footwear suited to a difficult hike
- Layers selected for the local forecast
- Sun protection
- Water capacity matched to confirmed route needs
- Food for the planned outing
- First-aid kit
- Emergency supplies
Paria Canyon & Buckskin Gulch FAQ
- Is The Wave a Paria Canyon or Buckskin Gulch route?
- Treat it as a separate objective. The Wave lies on the slopes of Coyote Buttes in the Paria Canyon–Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. That shared wilderness setting does not establish a route connection to either canyon.
- Where can trip planning begin?
- Contact the Bureau of Land Management at the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument visitor center in Kanab, Utah. Ask for guidance specific to the canyon or formation intended for the trip.
- How difficult is the hike to The Wave?
- It is described as difficult. Confirm the actual route demands before committing, and do not use the formation's popularity with photographers as a measure of hiking difficulty.
- Can a canyon mileage or overnight schedule be recommended here?
- No verified canyon distances, access points or overnight stages are established here. Obtain current route information before deciding how many days to spend in Paria Canyon or Buckskin Gulch.
- What needs particular care around The Wave?
- The sandstone formation is fragile. Follow site-specific guidance and avoid damaging its colorful, undulating surfaces.