Hiking Through the Paria River Canyon

What you get on this adventure:

• • Hotel and dinner in Kanab the night before your trip, and on the final night (double occupancy. Contact us for single occupancy upcharge)
  • One to two experienced, local hiking guides with extensive knowledge of the area (the number of guides will depend on the group size)
  • 5 days of hiking
  • Overnight permits for the Buckskin-Paria corridor
  • Trailhead transport from & to Kanab
  • Group cooking equipment and water purification
  • Breakfasts, lunches and dinners while on the trail (possible to accommodate dietary restrictions)
  • Lightweight backpacking tent
  • Team first-aid kit and at least one Wilderness First Responder guide
  • Satellite messenger communication in case of emergency
  • Human waste bags
  • Pre-trip gear & training advice as desired

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to Kanab
  • Personal backpacking gear (gear is available to rent, if needed)
  • Snacks on the trail
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Guide gratuities

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.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• • Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag)
  • Hiking poles — optional
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  • Personal trail snacks — bring a minimum of 2,500 calories
  • Plastic mug, bowl, and spork
  • Fire matches, lighter, or tinder 
  • Knife
  • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes that can get wet
  • Weather-appropriate clothes for layering
  • Fast-drying base layer (no cotton)
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Warm layers: fleece or down jacket
  • Lightweight wind/waterproof jacket
  • 4 pairs of hiking socks
  • Neoprene socks — optional
  • Dry bag for electronics — optional 
  • Waterproof rain jacket
  • Buff or bandana
  • Sunhat
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Small quick-dry towel
  • First aid kit
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

• • For this group adventure, the max client to guide ratio is 4:1, with groups of up to 8 people.
  • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate.
  • Cost is per person. The cost does not decrease as the group grows. 

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to Paria Canyon, most people fly into Salt Lake City (SLC), about a five-hour drive, Las Vegas (LAS) just over a two hours away, or St. George Regional Airport (SGU) about 90 minutes away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus ride to Kanab, UT, where you will meet your guides. 

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The guide will take you from Kanab to Paria Canyon and choose the appropriate terrain depending on conditions and the ability of the group.

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Paria Canyon, UT, please refer to the official Government of Utah website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!