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Paria Canyon/River
Recreation Opportunities
Paria means "muddy water" in the
Paiute language. Experienced hikers can travel the muddy waters of the
wild and twisting canyons of the Paria River located within the Grand
Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Visit the old Paria movie set and
ghost town north of the wilderness area. Petroglyphs and campsites show
that Pueblo Indians traveled the Paria more than 700 years ago. Please do
not touch the petroglyphs and take only pictures and memories from these
sites. If you plan on hiking the canyons, be aware that permits may be
required. All visitors need to take special care to minimize impact on
this canyon.
Recreation Sites
The BLM Paria Canyon Rangers Station is in Utah, 43 miles east of Kanab on
US 89 near milepost 21. The trail head is two miles south on a dirt road
near an old homestead site called White House Ruins. This area has been
designated as a wilderness area; therefore there are no developed
campsites.
(For
additional information, see the Paria Canyon/Coyote Butte Fee
Demonstration Project)
Wildlife
This area is home to a variety of wildlife
species. In the winter, bald eagles may be seen, while golden eagles are
spotted year round. Other birds of prey include the endangered peregrine
falcon, red-tailed hawk, great horned owl, and Cooper's hawk. Swallows,
wrens, killdeer, flycatchers, and black-throated sparrows nest on sheer
walls or sand beaches. Tiny birds such as ruby-crowned kinglets, blue-gray
gnat catchers, and black-chinned hummingbirds are noticed in early morning
hours. Along the river, look for great blue herons. Occasionally, bobcats,
foxes, mountain lions, porcupines, and beavers can be seen. Often sighted
are coyotes, jack rabbits, cottontails, ground squirrels, bats, kangaroo
rats, and other rodents. A variety of lizards, and rattlesnakes are found
within the canyon. The Paria River is home to the flannel mouth sucker,
bluehead sucker, razorback sucker, and speckled dace.
Geology
The scenic beauty of Paria Canyon is known
nationwide. Hikers are drawn to colorful, winding corridors of stone,
narrow gorges, and its stunning display of seven major geologic formations
exposed like pages of a book. The canyon geology includes Moenkopi
Formation, Chinle Formation, Moenave Formation Kayenta Formation, Navajo
Sandstone, Temple Cap Sandstone, and Carmel Formation.
Management
The 112,000 acre Paria
Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness was established by the Arizona
Wilderness Act of 1984. Located along the Arizona-Utah border, it contains
public lands in Kane and Coconino counties. Paria Canyon is managed by two
federal agencies, the Bureau of Land Management -- Vermillion and Kanab
Resource Areas, and the National Park Service--Glen Canyon National
Recreation Area. BLM Kanab Field Office, 318 North First East, Kanab, Utah
84741, (435) 644-2672.
The BLM is required to preserve the area's
natural conditions, outstanding opportunities, for solitude and primitive
recreation, and the area's educational, scenic, and historical values.
This is accomplished through required management of a variety of uses such
as hiking, backpacking, hunting, and livestock grazing. More restrictive
visitor use limits may at times be needed to protect wilderness resources,
which is the top priority when a choice must be made between preservation
and visitation.
Leave No Trace and The Rules
Leave no trace so that others enjoy
their experience. The following rules are specific to Paria Canyon,
Buckskin Gulch, and Wire Pass drainages: Group size is limited to 10
persons. Register at the trial head visitor boxes. Travel by foot or hoof.
Closed to motorized or mechanical transport and equipment, including
bicycles. Carry a stove, campfires are prohibited. Carry out all trash and
toilet paper. Camp at least 200 feet or as far as possible from springs.
Do not cut or trample vegetation. Leash your pets or leave them at home.
Commercially guided trips require a permit. Wrather Canyon is closed to
camping.
Information Provided By The Utah
BLM
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