Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch come together on this 5-day trip along the Paria River, finishing inside the longest, deepest slot canyon in the world. An orientation and gear check in Page, Arizona kicks things off the evening before hiking starts, and riverside camping follows, with stops at Wrather Arch, ancient petroglyphs, and towering sandstone narrows along the way, covering 40 miles (64 km) in total. The guide team handles the permit, meals, and group gear for the entire route. Expect wet boots, long river miles, and a pace suited to fit seasoned backpackers.
We meet in Page, Arizona by 5 pm the evening before the hike begins for a group dinner and full gear check, going over trip logistics, safety protocol, and what to expect once we’re deep in the canyon. This evening is simply a chance to meet the group, ask last questions, and make sure every pack is squared away before an early start the next morning.
Important note: Lodging/accommodation in Page is arranged independently for Day 0.
We set out early from Lees Ferry on the Colorado River, starting the long upstream trek along the Paria River. Canyon walls climb higher with every mile, and there’s no dry trail to follow, so plan on wading through the river itself for long stretches. It’s the longest hiking day of the trip, ending at camp near Bushhead Canyon for the night.
Meals: Dinner
Hiking: 11.25 mi (18 km)
Elevation: 3,159 ft (963 m) at the start
Accommodation: Backcountry camping
We continue hiking upstream along the Paria River, breaking from the main canyon for a side trip to Wrather Arch, one of the largest natural arches in the country and one of the least visited, tucked well out of sight from the main trail. Back on route, the canyon narrows and deepens before we set up camp for the night near a striking sandstone formation known as the Cathedral.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 7 mi (11.3 km)
Accommodation: Backcountry camping
We keep working upstream, taking a side hike through an abandoned meander, a bend the Paria River carved out long ago and left behind as the main channel shifted course, leaving a quiet, dry loop of canyon to explore on foot. Back on the main route, camp for the night is set at Big Springs, one of the more reliable water sources along the trail.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 7 mi (11.3 km)
Accommodation: Backcountry camping
We hike to the confluence where Buckskin Gulch meets the Paria River, the point where tomorrow’s route into the world’s longest slot canyon begins. Along the way, a short detour leads to Slide Rock Arch, another quiet arch most hikers never see. Camp for the night is set just beyond the confluence, positioned for an early start into the Gulch the next morning.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Hiking: 6 mi (9.7 km)
Accommodation: Backcountry camping
We spend the final day inside Buckskin Gulch itself, the longest and deepest slot canyon in the world, where sheer sandstone walls narrow overhead for miles before the route climbs out at the Middle Trailhead. A shuttle brings the group back to Page by around 4 pm, wrapping up five days spent almost entirely inside some of the most dramatic canyon country in the Southwest.
Meals: Breakfast
Hiking: 6.5 mi (10.5 km)
Elevation: 4,986 ft (1,520 m) at the finish
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This is a strenuous, demanding trip, so excellent fitness is required. Total elevation gain is a modest 1,827 ft (557 m), but you’ll cover up to 11.25 miles (18 km) in a single day, much of it wading directly through the Paria River, which slows the pace and makes for long, full days.
A bit of training goes a long way here: hiking with a weighted backpack, breaking in your shoes wet, and building up a few long days on trail beforehand will make a real difference in how much you enjoy the trip.
Because the canyon runs deep and narrow, there are no quick exits once you’re inside. GPS communication becomes unreliable after the second day, and emergency evacuation takes time, so this is best suited to hikers who are comfortable being fully off-grid for a stretch.
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Mostly, yes, with one exception worth knowing about. The final day involves a Class 3 scramble to climb out of Buckskin Gulch, a fun, hands-on finish with a few exposed sections that call for careful footing and steady nerves.
If heights aren’t your thing, it’s something to think about before departing, but for most hikers, it’s one of the more memorable moments of the trip.
Hiking through narrow canyons naturally comes with flash flood risk, especially since the trail follows the Paria River directly for most of its length. Your guides monitor weather and water conditions closely throughout the trip and will only enter or continue through the canyon when it’s safe to do so. If conditions change, the itinerary may be adjusted, or in rare cases, delayed.
Because the canyon is so narrow, there’s limited space for human waste to break down naturally, so all solid waste needs to be packed out. This isn’t optional, it’s part of maintaining the permit that allows guided trips into the canyon at all. Your guides walk you through the system during the Day 0 gear check.
Very, but that’s exactly what your guides are there for. Only 20 overnight permits are issued for the entire canyon each day, and your guides secure yours as part of the trip, so there’s no scrambling for a reservation on your end.
Permits are released on the first of the month, four months out, which means booking early gives your guides the best shot at locking in your preferred dates. Since this trip only runs once a permit is confirmed, the earlier you reserve, the smoother the whole process goes.
The dates are confirmed pending permit approval and subject to change, and though it’s rarely an issue, it’s something to keep in mind.
Required:
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.
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Group sizes and pricing
A Paria Canyon backpacking trip can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A single occupancy tent is not available on this Paria Canyon backpacking trip.
The starting point of your Paria Canyon backpacking trip is Page, Arizona. To get there, most people fly into Las Vegas Airport (LAS) or Phoenix Airport (PHX). From there, you can rent a car to reach Page.
You will meet your guide at 5 pm in Page the evening before the hike on Day 0.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.