Atlas › Paria-Vermilion Cliffs
Buckskin Gulch
verified 2026-05-12
ACA 1B
Extreme flood risk
Kanab, UT
Often called the longest continuous slot in the world. 12+ miles of unbroken narrows 100-200 ft deep through Navajo sandstone, frequently shoulder-width.
Best entered via Wire Pass. Watch for the Middle Route bailout. Overnight permits compete with Paria Canyon thru-hikers in the same 20/day quota.
Logistics
| Manager | BLM Kanab Field Office / Vermilion Cliffs NM |
|---|---|
| Permit | Day-use $6/person, $6/dog (kiosk QR or Recreation.gov). Overnight $5/person/day and $5/dog/day. Overnight uses a Recreation.gov calendar system (not a traditional lottery): 20 person daily quota across all 4 trailheads, max group 10, applications open the 1st of each month at noon for permits 3 months out. Non-refundable, non-transferable. Pickup in person at the contact station, no more than 10 days before trip. |
| Distance | Day: 8 to 16 RT via Wire Pass; Thru: 21 mi to Paria confluence, then 13 more to Lees Ferry |
| Elevation | Minimal, drainage-grade |
| Time | Day or 3-4 day backpack |
| Technical | Non-technical hike, deep wading, sometimes swimming |
| Season | Spring, fall. Monsoon Jun-Aug is flood season. |
| Flood risk | Extreme. Whole watershed must be checked. |
| Vehicle access | 2WD when dry on House Rock Valley Rd; impassable wet. |
| Crowd | High at Wire Pass; moderate deeper in |
| Coordinates | 37.0763, -112.0211 |