Hiking in Paria Canyon does not require a lot of skill but all participants must be in good physical condition and have some previous hiking experience. You have to be able to comfortably hike 8-10 miles on uneven terrain (and not feel utterly exhausted at the end of it) in order to enjoy this hike. Previous backpacking experience is helpful.
The Paria Canyon Backpack is not a mountaineering adventure, but it is an excellent introduction into remote backcountry travel, endurance, safety, and camping. There is no elevation change along the Paria River, but there is a lot of uneven footing as well as long stretches of mandatory wading. October typically sees the Paria flowing all the way from White House to Lee’s Ferry, and we’ll have wet feet for at least 70% of our trip (if not more). Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a backpack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout your trip.
We had a phenomenal winter adventure walking the length of the Paria canyon with some side canyon explorations. This was major bucket list check off! Sunny did a fantastic job as the lead guide. Our meals were plentiful and excellent. She had some great tips and tricks for comfort for winter camping. I enjoyed learning about the Paria from her and getting to know her better. She is a great steward of Leave No Trace ethics and safe backpacking practices. I also really enjoyed hiking with Maddi and Andrea who also guide with Dreamland.
Sunny was great about pre-trip communication. She developed a thorough pre-trip packet and answered my emails promptly. I really appreciate the extra time she took to give me gear, day hike, and reading recommendations. Booking was easy and I think the price is spot on for all that is included and her service. Her itinerary included hotel stays before and after the trip with associated meals. This was a huge perk that other groups do not routinely offer. It was great to have a “home base” in Kanab at either end of the trip.I highly recommend this multi-day backpack excursion with Dreamland as well as their other day trips.