Paria Canyon Through-Hike Permit
Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
38-mile point-to-point slot canyon traverse from White House Trailhead (Utah) to Lees Ferry (Arizona).
“Walk through one of the longest and deepest slot canyon systems on Earth, where thousand-foot Navajo sandstone walls glow in colors no photograph can capture.”
Get Availability Alerts
Be notified instantly when Paria Canyon permits become available due to cancellations.
Get Availability Alerts
Be notified instantly when Paria Canyon permits become available.
Paria Canyon Quick Facts
Key Information
Permit Details
What to Expect
Route Details
Highlights
- •50-100+ river crossings per day through silty water
- •Canyon walls reaching 800 feet
- •Boulder jams and obstacles requiring scrambling
- •Extremely silty water requiring settling time
Best Time to Visit
Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer ideal temperatures. Summer brings flash flood risk.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Flash floods—canyon offers no escape for miles
- !Hypothermia from constant cold water immersion
- !Quicksand-like mud
- !Very silty water—must settle before filtering
- !No cell service
How to Get This Permit
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
When to Go
Conditions
Summer offers the most reliable conditions for most wilderness areas.
Crowd Level
ModerateAdvantages
- +Longest days
- +Warmest temperatures
- +Reliable trail conditions
Challenges
- !Peak demand for permits
- !Book accommodations early
- !Weather varies
Difficulty Assessment
Fitness and endurance required
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Route finding and trail clarity
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
Experienced desert backpackers comfortable with uncertainty, route-finding, and constant wet feet.
Recommended Experience
Should have desert canyon experience. 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.
About This Permit
Paria Canyon offers one of the most immersive slot canyon experiences on Earth—a 38-mile journey through towering Navajo sandstone walls that reach 800 feet high while narrowing to just 15 feet wide.
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.
The Route
From White House Trailhead, the river immediately claims your feet as you enter the Paria Narrows. The walls grow to 800 feet at their peak. Buckskin Gulch's confluence brings memories of the world's longest slot canyon.
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 as ancient petroglyphs watch from alcoves.
Rules & Regulations
- •Overnight permit required (limited to 20 people/day)
- •Permits must be picked up in person
- •WAG bags required—all human waste packed out
- •Campfires prohibited
- •Group size limited to 10
Gear Checklist
Required
- WAG bags for human waste (required)
- Minimum 4L water capacity
- Water filter AND container for settling silt
- Footwear that drains well
- Trekking poles for river crossings
Key Landmarks
Landmarks (7)
Safety & Planning
Emergency Info
Download the PermitSnag app for offline access to emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Paria Canyon.
Food Storage
Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.
Paria Canyon FAQ
How do I get a Paria Canyon permit?
Paria Canyon permits are obtained through a reservation system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.
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. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.
Photography Guide
Golden Hour
Midday offers the best light in slot canyons when sun beams penetrate to the canyon floor.
Best Light
The Narrows section around mile 5-7 catches light beams around noon. Wider sections at camps photograph well at golden hour.
Beat the Crowds
With only 20 overnight permits per day, solitude is nearly guaranteed. 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