Buckskin Gulch/Paria River Backpack

April 2018  |  Utah/Arizona

With 15 miles of continuous narrows, Buckskin Gulch in southern Utah is renowned as the longest slot canyon in the world. Buckskin flows into the even longer Paria Canyon and hiking through both these canyons forms a famous backpacking trip requiring permits reserved months in advance. Twice before we've had permits but had to cancel last minute due to rainy forecasts and potential flash flood danger. This April we tried again and the weather forecast was nice and sunny, allowing us to finally experience these amazing canyons. Hiking through Buckskin and Paria is an unforgettable experience, like a journey into the heart of the Earth.

Below are my favorite photos from the trip; the ones with the "cappucino" river are from the Paria Canyon, while most of the dark colorful slot shots are from Buckskin Gulch. Both canyons are located in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness of southern Utah, with the lower Paria River on the Arizona side of the border below the Buckskin/Paria confluence.

Hiking in the Paria River in Paria Canyon.

Paria River Hiker

Paria River.

Paria Spirit

Buckskin Gulch

Glow Hiker

Buckskin Gulch

Purple Canyon

Buckskin Gulch

Buckskin Pillar

Buckskin Gulch

Hike to the Light

Buckskin Gulch

Sacred Chamber

Buckskin Gulch

In the Sacred Chamber

Buckskin Gulch

Wavy Light

Buckskin Gulch

Buckskin Hiker

Buckskin Gulch

Heart of Sandstone

Buckskin Gulch

Glowing Chamber

Buckskin Gulch

Red Glow Slot

Buckskin Gulch

Slot Spectrum

Buckskin Gulch

Light in the Canyon

Camping above the Paria River in the Paria Canyon.

Canyon Lollipop

Hiking in Paria Canyon.

Paria Passage