Imagine a world where towering slot canyon walls, sculpted sandstone formations, and an otherworldly landscape awaits you. Nestled within the stunning terrain of Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness lies a gem of a slot canyon that promises an unforgettable adventure for hikers: the Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch trail.
With far less crowds and stress as with other slot canyons, like the Narrows or Antelope Canyon, hiking Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch deserves plenty of recognition. As one of the world’s longest slot canyons, it’s an incredible experience that moderate to experienced hikers should not pass up while in the southwest.
I’ll explain what you can expect in planning to hike Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch, how to get there, obtaining a permit, details on the trail’s terrain, and how to make sure you’re packed properly for this challenge!
Trail Stats
- Distance: 5.6 mile out-and-back
- Elevation gain: ~420 feet
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate to challenging depending on how far you hike in the slot canyon.
- Time: 2-3 hours
- Dogs are allowed on leashes!
Why Hike Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch?
The 112,500-acres of Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness in southern Utah and northern Arizona is a stunning landscape with many challenging treks and interesting geologic formations. Among its most notable trails is Buckskin Gulch, which is one of the world’s longest slot canyons.
Buckskin Gulch offers a sense of seclusion and serenity with its remote location far from the noise and distractions of major roads. Here you can truly escape into the wilderness, surrounded by untouched nature.
Photographers also flock to Buckskin Gulch to capture its breathtaking beauty. The interplay of light and shadow within the narrow canyons, the ethereal glow during certain times of the day, and the unique geological formations provide endless opportunities for stunning photography.
The gulch offers various hiking options, suited for beginners and experienced hikers. Whether you choose to hike the entire length, from Wire Pass to the Paria River, or opt for a shorter day hike, there’s a trek suited to your preferences and capabilities.
Is Buckskin Gulch Worth Hiking?
Yes, there is no other slot canyon in the world like it. Wire Pass is a gorge that was carved through the Cockscomb rock by Coyote Wash.
About Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs National Monument
- Paria Canyon: Paria Canyon is a slot canyon carved by the Paria River, winding through the high plateaus and offering a world-class hiking and backpacking experience. It’s famous for its towering walls, narrow passages, and unique rock formations. The canyon provides various hiking routes, including the renowned multi-day trek from White House Trailhead to Lee’s Ferry.
- Vermilion Cliffs: The Vermilion Cliffs, characterized by their vibrant red and orange hues, form an imposing escarpment that runs for miles across the landscape. The cliffs showcase a diverse array of geological features, including layers of sedimentary rock, towering hoodoos, mesas, and buttes. The famous Coyote Buttes area, including “The Wave,” is part of the Vermilion Cliffs and is a coveted destination for its unique and surreal rock formations.
- Wilderness and Conservation: Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is designated as a protected wilderness area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The aim is to preserve the unique geological, ecological, and cultural resources of the region. Special regulations are in place to maintain the pristine and delicate environment while allowing visitors to experience its natural beauty responsibly.
- Recreational Activities: The area offers a range of recreational activities such as hiking, backpacking, camping, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and photography. Permits are required for hiking in Paria Canyon and Coyote Buttes due to their popularity and to limit the impact on the delicate ecosystem.
- Ecological Significance: Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is ecologically significant and home to unique flora and fauna adapted to the arid desert environment. Rare and endangered species, like the California condor, can also be found in the region.
Preparing to Hike Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch in Utah
Wire Pass Trail Permit
You’ll need to get a permit before making it to the trailhead so that the BLM knows you’re there (for your own safety because of its remote location).
- Day permits: Costs $6 in advance and you must display your permit or confirmation number on your car’s dashboard before starting your hike. Be sure to make this reservation before driving to the trailhead because there is NO service in the area. You can go to the BLM site for the permit or download the Recreation.gov app which allows you to pay for permits without service.
- Overnight camping permits: Again, you must reserve a permit in advance for overnight use because they limit the amount of people who can camp here per day. The campgrounds are located near the Wire Pass Trailhead and the permit costs $9 plus the $5 per person day recreation fee.
Important: The Buckskin Gulch day and overnight permits do not include access for other permit areas in Paria Canyon (Coyote Buttes North or South). Violation would result in rangers charging you a fine or potential jail time.
Driving Conditions on the Cockscomb
You’ll have to drive about 8 miles down a dirt road to get to the trailhead for Wire Pass. The conditions on Cockscomb Road can vary greatly depending on the season and recent rainfall. Typically, it’s suitable for most vehicles, but it can be an anxiety attack waiting to happen for drivers.
Many areas can be badly washed out. In wet conditions or during flash flood season the road can be impassable with deep mud. A 4WD or at least high clearance is strongly recommended, if anything for peace of mind.
Check for recent updates on the road conditions by reading recent reviews on AllTrails and exercise caution while driving on dirt roads.
Slot Canyon Safety
Checking the weather before venturing into a slot canyon is crucial for safety. Flash floods, common in slot canyons, can be life-threatening. Even if there is a small percentage of rain in the forecast miles away, do not attempt this hike. Rainfall from as far as Bryce Canyon can create a flash flood in Buckskin Gulch.
Check the weather the day before and the day of, and to be extra careful, you can ask the Paria Ranger Station (call 435-644-1200) if they think it’s safe.
Cell Service
There is virtually no cell reception in this area. Essentially, once you leave Kanab, there is very little service because of the remoteness.
Bring or Download Maps Ahead of Time
Since you won’t be able to use an online map while there, download an offline map ahead of time from an app like AllTrails or Google Maps. Better yet, bring a paper map that’s detailed enough for this remote area. Getting lost would be very dangerous in this desert.
Best Times of Year to Visit
The spring and fall are the best times of the year to hike Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch. Late spring can be one of the driest times to visit with early summer seeing some scorching temperatures.
It snows in this area so winter can be dicey. If the roads are snowed in, there is little chance of a plow going through to quickly make it passable.
Summer is flash flood season and the road is often in very poor conditions (may not even be passable) and the amount of water and thick mud in the slot canyon can make you regret picking this hike.
Plan to do this hike in April, May, September, October or November for the best chance at good hiking conditions!
Hiking Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch
Getting There From Kanab Utah
It takes about an hour to reach the Wire Pass trailhead from Kanab, Utah. Start by heading east on Highway 89 for about 34 miles. Turn right onto House Rock Valley Road (also called the Cockscomb Road) and continue for 8 miles to reach the Wire Pass trailhead.
Page, Arizona, is another good area to base yourself out of and also takes about an hour to drive to the trailhead.
The Wire Pass Trailhead
The trailhead is situated directly across from the parking area and shares its starting point with the Wave trail (accessible only with a permit). Make sure you leave your mark by signing the log book before departing!
The exact coordinates of the trailhead are:
37°01’08.7″N 112°01’29.5″W
House Rock Valley Rd, Kanab, UT 84741
Coyote Wash
Follow the clear Wire Pass wash path marked by signs for South Coyotes Buttes and Wire Pass Trail. The trail starts gravelly and sandy, which can be difficult to walk in. You will see a smaller dirt trail up on the bank to the right; however, posted signs ask hikers to remain in the wash to protect the vegetation. In the spring this area is covered in red, yellow, purple, and pink wildflowers.
You’ll be fully exposed to the sun during this portion of the hike. Remember that the Arizona sun is unforgiving. Be prepared by wearing breathable layers with SPF and packing enough water with electrolytes to stay hydrated.
Entering the Slot Canyon
After 1.5 miles, you’ll reach the entrance to the Wire Pass Slot Canyon that will eventually meet up with Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon. Very soon after entering, you’ll have towering canyon walls to your right and left with smooth carvings from water and time.
In the past, the BLM provided a wooden ladder to help you navigate the 8-10 ft drop into the canyon. However, it was washed away in a flood. As of 2022, there is a new wooden ladder that’s secured with bungee cords to prevent it from washing out in another flash flood. The old ladder is about 30 ft past where the flood left it.
If you have the skill to make it up and down the ladder then do so. If not (or if you brought your dog) you can take an alternate route. This path starts near the beginning of Wire Pass Slot Canyon, just before it narrows. The way is subtly marked by rock cairns along the right side of the trail. It involves ascending about 100 feet and then descending steeply on the other side.
Again, checking AllTrails recent reviews to make sure no one has said the ladder is gone or broken is a wise move.
Intersection of Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch
The Wire Pass Trail meanders through several slot canyons before reaching a spacious, open area where it intersects with Buckskin Gulch. Here, look to your right to see a remarkable bridge or blind arch in the rock wall. You can take a rest and have a snack in this area.
Also, take a moment to scan the canyon walls and you might spot scattered petroglyphs of animals and people. Please don’t touch these but definitely take your time to admire them!
From this juncture, heading right (south) leads you on a 12-mile trek through Buckskin Gulch to its confluence with Paria Canyon. If you go left (north) it takes you on a 5-mile journey back to the Buckskin Gulch trailhead.
Exploring the Slot Canyon
Going right and venturing deeper into Buckskin Gulch gives you an exceptional experience. The canyon walls soar high and narrow to an impressive 500 feet. The trail becomes notably uneven, featuring substantial boulders that require you to either find a way around or climb over.
Due to the canyon’s depth, sunlight rarely reaches the bottom. This results in pools of water and thick mud that can be difficult to traverse. Depending on the season and how far you go into the gulch, these pools can range from ankle to waist-deep!
Keep hiking for as long as you want, just make sure you plan wisely to have enough time to safely retrace your steps.
Some landmarks and turnaround points in Buckskin Gulch include:
- Wire Pass Slot Canyon: ~1.5 miles
- Buckskin Gulch Entrance: ~1.8 miles
- Buckskin Overlook (wide open area with an alcove): ~3 miles
- Middle Out Escape Route: ~6.5 miles
- Paria Confluence: ~13 miles
My Experience and Recommendations for Other Hikers
Do Yourself a Favor and Rent a 4WD Vehicle
I had researched House Rock Valley Road and read that it was doable for regular cars. Therefore, I did not rent a high clearance or 4WD vehicle. In fact, I rented the cheapest car I could find that would do the job of getting me from place to place! This in fact was a BIG mistake when it came to driving down this dirt road in mid August of 2022.
Keep in mind, during the summer there is heavy rainfall and the road can become much more washed out and hazardous than in other seasons. Also, as someone with anxiety and back-seat-driver syndrome, it was a painful experience for my boyfriend who was driving.
Once turning onto the Cockscomb, I already knew I had messed up. If we had bottomed out, we wouldn’t be able to call a tow company because of no service. We drove for about a half hour at the slowest speed possible through major dips and ruts in the road. After several scares, we saw the trailhead for Buckskin Gulch. This was NOT the trailhead for Wire Pass. They are 4 miles apart. So, we decided to begin our hike at the Buckskin Gulch trailhead to be safe rather than sorry.
Getting Lost Before the Slot Canyon is a Possibility!
Since we parked at Buckskin Gulch Trailhead, we added some mileage onto our trek that made for less time in the slot canyon. There is about 3.5-4 miles of distance from this trailhead to the actual start of the upper Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon. There is no clearly defined trail.
We followed (as best we could) the footsteps of others through washes and across small fields. However, other people clearly were just as confused as us by the amount of footsteps in random places! We had no idea how long and arduous these several miles would really feel on our legs! It made for an over 11 mile trek in total.
While we did get to see some truly amazing rock formations along this route, much of it was on sand with no signage and just us trusting our intuition. Or, better yet, doubting what we were doing entirely and having to retrace our steps and try alternate routes.
We saw other people walking on top of rocks in the distance and others who asked us for directions. We eventually made it to the slot canyon (yay!) and hiked through thick, slippery mud to the intersection with Wire Pass. However, once we were at that point, it was nearing noon, getting very hot, and we had to hike the entire way back before the rising possibility of afternoon storms. Therefore, we didn’t venture much into the best part of Buckskin Gulch, which was very disappointing.
Therefore, the only things I would change about my trip and recommend to other hikers is to rent the right vehicle so you don’t have to worry about making it to Wire Pass trailhead and be prepared for an intense workout!
What to Wear and Pack
Water
Bring more water than you anticipate needing (at least 1 liter of water for every 2 miles) as you’re hiking in the dry desert. Pack an additional water bottle and put some electrolytes in that to better hydrate and replenish on minerals you lose through sweat.
If you’re thru hiking, be aware that the Paria River is silty and poor for drinking, even once filtered. Big Springs is your best bet for good drinking water, however, it’s 5 miles from the Buckskin and Paria confluence.
Offline or Paper Maps
Download a map ahead of time or purchase one of these detailed trail maps:
Sun Protection
Sun protection is a must in Arizona! Heat exhaustion and sun poisoning are serious possibilities when hiking in this region. A hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts and pants will help protect your skin. Wear sunscreen on all areas of exposed skin and don’t forget to reapply.
Another way to protect yourself from sun damage is to wear SPF, breathable layers. Keep in mind, the temperature inside the slot canyon will be lower compared to outside since very little sunlight reaches some spots.
Day Pack
Wear a small day pack if you’re planning to hike Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch. That way you can stuff your unworn layers, water bottles, snacks, car keys, hat, and anything else in your bag.
Hiking Boots
This trail involves walking over areas of sand, mud, and puddles of varying depths. A good pair of hiking boots or trail runners will help you navigate the terrain and keep your feet in good shape for however far you wish to go in the slot canyon.
If you’re backpacking, definitely bring an extra pair of socks since they’ll likely get wet from the water and/or sweat.
More Tips for Your Hike
- If you plan on hiking to Buckskin Gulch on a solo trip, let someone else know your plans and take essential safety gear just in case.
- Some hikers recommend taking 30-40 ft of rope if you’re backpacking as areas far into Buckskin Gulch may be blocked by boulders and will require some technical work.
- Hiking from Wire Pass to the intersection and then north to the upper Buckskin Gulch trailhead is another option that’s around 11 miles total, but you will need to arrange for transportation at both trailheads to make it work.
- You may see a few other people while doing this hike, but it is unlike crowds at National Parks or other protected lands. Far fewer people make their way out here, and even if you are with fellow hikers, the crowds tend to dissipate after the intersection area.
Other Activities and Parks Nearby
- Take another day or two to explore Kanab, Utah. Kanab is a great base camp for many different hiking destinations in the southern part of the state.
- Visit the Toadstool Hoodoos once you’re done. They’re very close by and offer you a glimpse into the incredible geology of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
- Try your luck at getting a permit for the Wave in Arizona. The lottery system opens 4 months in advance and only allows 48 people per day!
- Rent a sand-board to sled down the Coral Pink Sand Dunes.
My Pictures from Upper Buckskin Gulch
