Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area

Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area stretches across the high desert between Marble Canyon and the Utah line, a BLM-managed backcountry of striped sandstone, slot canyons, and the swirled rock formations that draw hikers to Coyote Buttes and the Wave. It's rugged public land, not a maintained park, and it rewards people who come prepared for that. Reviewers rate it 4.8 out of 5, with visitors describing multi-day trips built around Lees Ferry camping, Colorado River fishing, and both hiking and 4x4 routes that "never seem to end."

What to know before you go

• Terrain: deep sand roads in places — high-clearance or 4WD is worth having, and cell coverage is unreliable, so bring paper maps or a dedicated GPS.
• Permits: popular zones like Coyote Buttes are permit-controlled; check the BLM site before planning a route.
• Access point: the area sits along Highway 89A near Marble Canyon, making it an easy add-on for anyone already routing between the North Rim and Lees Ferry.

Reviewers call it "gorgeous, isolated, and very much ghostly," with colors and rock formations that hold up against anything else in the region. Pack food, water, and a real plan — this is remote country, and it stays that way on purpose.