Hiker with a large backpack and a walking stick walking through a tall canyon with red rock.

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Paria Canyon / Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness

Paria Canyon's outstanding scenery, desert wildlife, colorful history, and opportunities for primitive recreation are protected for future generations. Its 112,500 acres beckon adventurers who enjoy experiencing the scenic splendor of wilderness and the chance to explore one of the longest and deepest slot canyons in the world. To protect these areas, in 1984 Congress created the Paria Canyon – Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

Permits

You must have a permit to visit Paria Canyon. All permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Day Use Permits

You can get Paria Canyon day-use permits by using your smartphone to scan a QR Code at each trailhead. There are no visitor use limits for day use for Paria Canyon. This does not include Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) or Coyote Buttes South day-use areas, which use a separate permit system.
You must display your day-use permit receipt on your vehicle windshield at the trailhead.

Overnight Use Permits

You must reserve a permit in advance for overnight use. There is a limit on overnight use in the canyon to 20 people per day.
Overnight users must display the permit on the outside of their backpack, and on the dashboard of their vehicle.

Regulations

Campfires are prohibited.
Dogs are allowed, but they must be included on the permit. They must be kept under control at all times and be leashed within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Dog waste and dog waste bags must be packed out.
You must use human waste bags throughout Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon.
You must pack out all trash, including toilet paper and human waste bags.
Group size cannot exceed 10 people in the same permit area on the same day.
Use existing campsites at least 200 feet from a water source.
No camping on or adjacent to any archaeological site.
Wrather Canyon is closed to camping.
Use of public land for business or financial gain requires a special permit.
Wilderness is closed to motor vehicles, mechanical transport, and motorized equipment including drones.
You must have valid government-issued identification when you pick up your permit.
If BLM staff ask to see your permit during your hike, you may need to present government-issued identification for permit verification.
Permits are non-transferable and non-refundable.

For more information, for answers to permit questions, you can call 435-688-3200 or email us. We cannot return messages from international phone numbers.

Get permits, human waste bags, maps and additional information at these locations:

Arizona Strip District Office and Public Lands Information Center
Location and Hours
345 E. Riverside Drive
St. George, UT 84790
435-688-3200
blm_az_asdoweb@blm.gov

Paria Contact Station (open March 15- November 15)
Location and Hours
U.S. Highway 89 (44 miles east of Kanab, Utah)
435-689-0801

Kanab Field Office (this is not the Visitor Center) (open November 16 - March 14)
Location and Hours
669 S. Highway 89A Kanab, Utah 84741
435-644-1200

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit?

You need a permit for day hiking and overnight trips in Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch. The fee is $6 per person per day for day hiking and $5 per person per day for overnight trips. If you take your dog, fee is $6 per dog per day for day hiking and $5 per dog per day for overnight trips.

Can I get a "rain check" after I pay my fees?

There are no refunds and no rainchecks due to any unforeseen circumstance, including but not limited to any travel restrictions associated with COVID-19.

Can I get a refund?

No. Fees are non-refundable.

How do I get a day-use permit?

You can get permits for day hiking in Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch at the self-pay stations at each trailhead. There is no limit on the total number of people for day-use but the maximum group size for people that are affiliated is 10. You can enter the Paria Canyon / Buckskin Gulch permit area using one of four trailheads: Wire Pass, White House, Buckskin Gulch, and Lees Ferry trailheads. This day-use permit does not give you permission to enter Coyote Buttes North (The Wave).

There are two ways to get a day-use permit:

All three trailheads in Utah have self-pay kiosks where you can use your smartphone to scan a QR Code ($6 per person and $6 per dog). A booster has been installed at Wire Pass for more reliable service and will be installed soon at White House and Buckskin Gulch.
If you do not have a smartphone or if you wish to get the day-use permit in advance of your hike, you can get a permit through Recreation.gov. You cannot change the date, so only use this option if you are certain of your date.

With both options once you are at the trailhead you will take a receipt from the self-pay station to place in a visible location on the dashboard of your vehicle.

How do I get an overnight permit?

For overnight trips into Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch, you must apply for, get, and purchase a permit online, before your hike. Overnight entry into the canyons is limited to 20 people per day (dogs do not count against this total). This is a cumulative total from all four trailheads. This system helps to reduce the potential impacts to the environment and allows visitors to enjoy a true wilderness experience. You can apply for and purchase overnight permits online using the calendar option.

Applications accepted after 12 noon on the 1st of the month	for a permit during
January 1	April
February 1	May
March 1	June
April 1	July
May 1	August
June 1	September
July 1	October
August 1	November
September 1	December
October 1	January
November 1	February
December 1	March

Am I limited to one trip per year?

No, but you can't hold more than one permit per permit area at the same time.

Is there a daily limit on people allowed in the canyon?

Yes. We allow 20 people per day to enter the canyon. This is a cumulative total from all trailheads.

What is the group size limit?

No more than 10 people per group. If your group is larger than 10 people, you will need to split into two groups of no more than 10 people; each group must enter the area on a separate day and is not permitted to travel with, enter or exit with, or camp with the other group.

How many groups may enter each day?

The number of groups is not limited. However, group size is limited to 10 and the combined trailhead entry is no more than 20 persons per day.

Once I have my permit, can I change dates or group size?

Permit holders may make changes in trailheads, group members, vehicle information, and pick up location for no fee. The addition of extra days or dogs will require a fee of $5 per day / $5 per dog. Additional group members may be added if there is available quota for $5 per day. Permit holders make changes through the modify feature on the My Reservations page.

The entry date may not be modified. If a new entry date is desired, than the original permit can be cancelled with no refund. No changes within 2 weeks of entry date.

How long will it take to get my permit after I pay for it?

You must pick up your permit in person no sooner than 10 days before your trip begins

Can I get an overnight permit without buying it in advance?

Permits can only be purchased through the calendar and are not available for purchase the day of or the day before the hike.

Are commercial guide permits available?

The BLM Arizona Strip and Kanab field offices authorize special recreation permits for commercial guide services.

Do the required permits apply to the entire wilderness?

Permits are valid only in the Paria Canyon / Buckskin Gulch permit area for the group size and date specified. They are not valid for other permit areas such as Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) or Coyote Buttes South. The surrounding areas are open to use without permits or limits.

Are fees required?

Yes. You must pay your fee before we issue your permit. Everyone, regardless of age, must be included in the overnight permit. This includes infants that are not walking.

What are the fees?

$5 per person per day for Paria Canyon Overnight trips and $6 per person per day for Paria Canyon / Buckskin Gulch day-use trips in Wire Pass, Buckskin Gulch, White House, and Lees Ferry. The same fees apply to dogs.

Does my America the Beautiful pass give me a discount?

No permit exemptions, passes, or discounts apply in Paria Canyon / Buckskin Gulch. This includes all passes in the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass Series (such as Annual, Senior, Access, and Volunteer passes).

Does my Senior or Access pass give me a discount?