Backpack Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs
Embark on a multi-day backpacking adventure through a spectacular wilderness of towering cliffs, slot canyons, and the Paria River. Permits are highly competitive.
Itinerary tips
- 1Plan for a 4-day, 3-night trek to cover the full 38-mile distance from White House to Lees Ferry without rushing.
- 2Secure your overnight permit exactly four months in advance via the Recreation.gov lottery system, as they sell out instantly.
- 3Carry dedicated neoprene socks and sturdy trekking poles to navigate miles of unavoidable walking in silt-heavy, knee-deep river water.
- 4Pack a portable waste bag system (WAG bags), as human waste removal is strictly mandated and monitored throughout the canyon.
- 5Arrange a commercial shuttle between the White House and Lees Ferry trailheads, which are separated by a two-hour drive.
- 6Cache extra water or scout reports for the reliable Big Spring and Shower-Wall locations to avoid reliance on filtered river water.
More in Southern Utah Parks
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AdventureGo Canyoneering near Hanksville
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Adventure

