There are few natural places in the world that can compare to Paria Canyon. With its walls of red stone revealing layers of ancient sediments carved by glaciers. ‘Paria’ is the Paiute word for ‘muddy water’, which means you can expect to get your feet wet.
Established as a wilderness area by Congress in 1984, it was incorporated into the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument by former President Bill Clinton in 2000. Within this stunning area lies remnants of ancient peoples in the form of petroglyphs, granaries, and campsites that date back to between 200-1200 AD. These artifacts are fragile and of great historic importance, so it is crucial that you take only pictures when exploring this region.
There are thousands of hikers, photographers, campers, and canyoneers that visit Paria Canyon each year. The are features sweeping sandstone formations, narrow gorges, and seven distinct geologic formations. The terrain is rugged, and for much of the year, hikers will be wading through ankle- to knee-deep waters. Flash floods are not uncommon here in the summer months, so it’s crucial that hikers understand the risks. Even after the flood has passed, mudslides and quicksand are lingering threats.
Teeming with Life
Paria Canyon, despite its high desert locale, hosts a variety of vegetation that provide not only welcome shade for weary travelers, but habitat and food for the canyon’s denizens as well. Woody plants like cottonwood, ash, and coyote willows inhabit the drier soils further from the stream, but aquatic plants like cattails, reeds, rushes, and horsetails can be found along the waterway’s edges. Slopes and terraces dotted with old trees rise above the stream’s path, able to mature and thrive out of the reach of destructive, torrential floods.
Keen-eyed visitors will be treated to wildlife sightings in Paria Canyon. You may see a bald eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, red-tailed hawk, or great horned owl soaring above. Smaller birds are also abundant here, including black-chinned hummingbirds and cliff swallows, resting in the canyon. You’re almost sure to see squirrels, coyotes, and bats. You may get lucky enough to see a bobcat, fox, beaver, or even a porcupine! Keeping your voice low and your movements steady is a good way to see more wildlife on any trail.
While there are no official trails in Paria Canyon, there are four separate trailheads. These trailheads will take you through the canyon in varying lengths. Each trailhead can be driven to separately, and you can use one as your starting point for another.
There are only 20 hikers per day allowed in the canyon, so you will need to secure a permit. Camping‘s permitted in designated areas, however it’s a drive, so you’ll want to maximize your time by staying overnight. Of course, Leave No Trace is the law of the land here — if you pack it in, you pack it out!
Related article: 5 Sizzling Day Hikes of Arizona
Featured Image from Gert Boers/Unsplash
