Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon

• Buckskin Gulch - Trail Description Slot Canyons Paria River Buckskin Gulch Trail Description This is an account of a trip from the Wire Pass trailhead, down Buckskin Gulch to the confluence with the Paria River and back, on 9th June 1998.
• Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (near Kanab, Utah) and Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness (Arizona), Buckskin Gulch trails takes hikers through the veritable layer cake of the Colorado Plateau's geographical wonderment.
• Buckskin Gulch has two main entrance points – the Buckskin Gulch Trailhead and Wire Pass Trailhead. Wire Pass is the most common access, as Buckskin Gulch Trailhead adds an additional 3 miles of less-stunning hiking. About halfway through the canyon, the steep and obscure Middle Route is the only access in addition to the official trailheads.

Many people rate Buckskin Gulch as their all-time favorite hike. The route goes through a beautiful slot that runs continuously for about 15 miles. (It may very well be the longest slot canyon in the world). It is deep, dark and narrow, with plenty of obstacles to make it fun. Buckskin Gulch is the ultimate in canyon-country slot canyons. For 12.5 miles the gulch is enveloped in a very narrow gorge 100 to 200 feet deep, flanked by vaulting convoluted walls of Navajo Sandstone. Buckskin Gulch is renowned not only because of its continuous challenging narrows, but also because there is no other canyon like it in the world.

One of the truly classic hiking trails in the United States, let alone the world, Buckskin Gulch swerves through a subterranean paradise for the senses. Attempt this visually-arresting walk as a day trip, or walk the entire 20 miles over the course of four days.
Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (near Kanab, Utah) and Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness (Arizona), Buckskin Gulch trails takes hikers through the veritable layer cake of the Colorado Plateau's geographical wonderment. It is the longest and deepest slot canyon in the Southwest and offers obstacles like rock jams, pools, quicksand, and the potential for flash floods. Yet a day hike option via Wire Pass Trail is moderately easy, and should be a must-do tour on any hiker's list.

Note: there are multiple trailheads that provide access to Buckskin Gulch. Wire Pass Trailhead offers the most direct access for a day hike. This is not to be confused with the Buckskin Trailhead, which follows a wash for several miles before intersecting with Wire Pass Trail and then the confluence with the Paria River.

Many people rate Buckskin Gulch as their all-time favorite hike. The route goes through a beautiful slot that runs continuously for about 15 miles. (It may very well be the longest slot canyon in the world). It is deep, dark and narrow, with plenty of obstacles to make it fun. It is not a technical hike, but is rated as strenuous because of its length. You do have to scramble over rocks and wade/swim potholes.

Buckskin Gulch is located along the Utah/Arizona border, near Kanab. It can be done as a long day hike, if you are in good shape, but is best as an overnight backpack. The recommended route requires a shuttle. It is also possible to day hike from either trailhead, returning the way you went in.

Permit are needed to day hike and to backpack in this area, which is part of the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

Spring and fall are ideal times but hike, but people do this route year-round. Summer temperatures are very hot. During cold months you need a to wear a wet suite or some such insulation as you make the wades.

Wire Pass Trailhead

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The recommended route begins at the Wire Pass Trailhead, goes down Buckskin Gulch, and then goes up the Paria Canyon slot to the White House Trailhead and your waiting shuttle vehicle. There is a good panel of ancient petroglyphs in Wire Pass Wash, just before its confluence with Buckskin Gulch.

Middle Trail Escape Route

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The slot runs for about 15 miles, with just one spot where normal people can escape, if needed. Near the middle of the narrows, the slot is not as deep (only about 100 feet) and a crack runs up to the north rim. Experienced hikers can scramble up this crack to get out of the canyon if it looks like flood potential is developing.

Buckskin/Paria Confluence

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Camping is only possible in a few spots in the narrow canyon. Two of the best campsites are located just above the confluence of Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon. Another panel of ancient petroglyphs can be seen near the confluence.

White House Trailhead

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From the confluence, the recommended route goes up Paria Canyon and ends at the White House Trailhead.

Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon

Lees Ferry

Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon Images

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Serious backpackers can start at either trailhead and hike Paria Canyon to Lees Ferry - taking 3-5 days. People who know this area consider Buckskin Gulch to be the most enjoyable segment, so don't bypass that if you elect to make a long hike.

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