Location Profile: Buckskin Gulch

Text and photos by Heather Cline 

One of the longest continuous slot canyons in the world, Buckskin Gulch passes through roughly 16 miles of unique formations and undulating sandstone walls in the northern stretch of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. It can be traversed in one day or over the course of multiple days as a backpack trip, and requires a shuttle if going the full length to the confluence of Buckskin Gulch and the Paria River. It offers multiple obstacles depending on the time of year you hike, including rock jams, pools, and quicksand. Hiking via Wire Pass Trail is moderately easy, and is what is illustrated in this article.

What is Buckskin Gulch?

Buckskin Gulch is a gulch and slot canyon in southern Kane County, Utah, United States, near the Arizona border. It is one of the main tributaries of the Paria River, which is itself a minor tributary of the Colorado River. It is famous for it's length as well as the picturesque Navajo sandstone illuminated by indirect sunlight which bring out the red hues that this area is known for. 

When rains pour, this gulch fills very quickly, making it a very dangerous hike, but the effects of the rain create smooth, curved rock that never gets boring along the route. The hike alternates between wide sections where the light pours in and tight sections with towering walls. 

Depending on the time of year, cold knee to neck-deep pools of water or large fields of mud must be forded. There is a section known as the cesspool that is pretty nasty to cross and isn't for the faint of heart. There are also a few areas that need to be ascended and descended with a few feet of drop. 

After you leave the trailhead, you’ll follow a wash to the entrance of the canyon at 1.3 miles in. You can continue up Buckskin Gulch for as long as time will allow. If you love taking pictures, be sure to buffer lots of extra time on your trip for photography — you will need it, as this is one of the most photogenic hikes Utah.

Quick Facts

• Permits are required for day hiking ($6) and overnight backpacking ($5).
• Dogs are allowed, but there is a $6 fee per dog. 
• It's recommended that permits be obtained in advance of your hike — at the Bureau of Land Management office in Kanab or online at Recreation.gov.
• Day use hours: Sunrise to Sunset. 
• The permit for this hike does not cover access to any other permit area including overnight use for the Paria Canyon, Coyote Buttes North (The Wave), or Coyote Buttes South.
• There is a restroom (vault toilet) located at the Wire Pass trailhead
• Cell service is spotty at best.  

When is a good time to visit?

• March to June or September to November
• During July and August, the chances for flash floods increase. If there is a chance of rain in the forecast, don’t do it. Closely monitor the weather report.
• I hiked this in early October and it was dry with warm but comfortable temperatures. 

Where is Buckskin Gulch?

Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument near Kanab, Utah and the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness in Arizona. It is almost right on the boarder of Utah and Arizona. There are multiple trailheads that provide access to Buckskin Gulch. Wire Pass Trailhead offers the most direct access for a day hike. GPS Coordinates for Wire Pass Trailhead: (37.018981, -112.025483)

Other nearby attractions include:

• The Wave (Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area) 
• White Pocket (Vermillion Cliffs National Monument)
• Toadstool Hoodoos

Why should I visit?

Adventure hiking, petroglyphs, photography, and potential for wildlife viewing.

I hope you enjoyed this post. To see more of my Buckskin Gulch images, check out the gallery here.