Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
Yes, a permit is required to visit Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is a 110,816-acre wilderness area in Kane County, Utah. It rises from about 4,548 to 5,640 ft. The nearest town is Big Water, 6 miles away in a straight line.
Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness map
Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
3 fire restriction orders are recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Each links the signed order.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - West Desert District (Stage 1) Effective Sept. 5, 2026. Applies to the part of this wilderness managed by Kanab Field Office. Stage 1. Listed as Active on Utah Fire Info. The signed order states the exact area, what it prohibits, and exemptions.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Cottonwood Fire Closure Effective June 26, 2026. Applies to all BLM land in Utah. Listed as Active on Utah Fire Info. The signed order states the exact area, what it prohibits, and exemptions.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Statewide (Prevention Order) Effective June 17, 2025. Applies to all BLM land in Utah. Listed as Active on Utah Fire Info. The signed order states the exact area, what it prohibits, and exemptions.
Utah Fire Info, Utah DNR's interagency fire information hub, keeps the Utah fire restrictions map and signed orders for every fire zone, and a Utah fire map of active fires.
Common questions
- Yes, a permit is required to visit Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
- Campfires are prohibited.
- Big Water, UT is the nearest town, 6 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is about 5,640 ft, and its lowest about 4,548 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model).
Who manages Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLM | 110,816 | permit required for overnight stays. | Not on record | Not on record | Kanab Field Office, 435-644-1200 |
Getting to Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
- Big Water, UT is the nearest town, 6 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-29)
Trailheads at Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
- Buckskin Gulch Trailhead (inside the boundary, 4,820 ft), at 37.0667, -112.0004
- Wire Pass Trailhead (0.02 mi outside the boundary, 4,872 ft), at 37.0191, -112.0250
- Arizona Trail Trailhead - Stateline (0.15 mi outside the boundary, 4,987 ft), at 37.0012, -112.0350
Trailhead locations: BLM recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-29. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Other wilderness areas in Utah
- https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=444 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n38w113/USGS_1_n38w113.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n38w112/USGS_1_n38w112.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_49.txt (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://gis.blm.gov/arcgis/rest/services/recreation/BLM_Natl_Recs_pts/MapServer/14 (accessed 2026-09-29)