Buckskin Gulch
~2 days · 16.2 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Buckskin Gulch is known for
Buckskin Gulch is one of the longest and deepest slot canyons in the world, threading the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness on the Utah-Arizona border. The route is a point-to-point canyon walk between sculpted, often shoulder-width Navajo sandstone walls, typically entered from the Wire Pass or Buckskin trailheads and continuing toward its confluence with the Paria River. Hikers wade through pools, scramble past rockfall obstacles, and pass a long stretch where the walls narrow to just a few feet apart. It is a well-known destination among canyoneers and desert backpackers.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 4,396 ft to 4,836 ft over 16.2 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 1.7 mi · 11%
- Downhill 4.2 mi · 26%
- Flat 10.1 mi · 63%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Buckskin Gulch?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Buckskin Gulch scores 12/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Best season & permits
Season: Spring and fall are the usual hiking seasons, avoiding summer monsoon storms (roughly July through September) when flash-flood risk in the narrow canyon is severe and cold winter water in the pools.
Permits: A day-use fee permit is required to hike Buckskin Gulch, and overnight trips through the Paria Canyon system require an advance overnight permit administered by the BLM, so check current reservation requirements before going.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Buckskin Gulch take?
Most backpackers hike the Buckskin Gulch in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 16.2 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Buckskin Gulch?
The Buckskin Gulch climbs roughly 1,693 ft total — about 105 ft per mile, topping out near 4,836 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Buckskin Gulch?
Spring and fall are the usual hiking seasons, avoiding summer monsoon storms (roughly July through September) when flash-flood risk in the narrow canyon is severe and cold winter water in the pools.
Do you need a permit for the Buckskin Gulch?
A day-use fee permit is required to hike Buckskin Gulch, and overnight trips through the Paria Canyon system require an advance overnight permit administered by the BLM, so check current reservation requirements before going.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.