Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness
White pocket
White pocket is another area of dramatic rock formations in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. The area has some truly amazing rock formations, and is highly recommended. It is relatively little visited, and you very well may be the only visitors. No permits are needed. One does need a vehicle with high clearance and preferably four-wheel drive. The rocks at white pocket are white, and there is also a Red Pocket along the way, named after red rocks. Another interesting rock formation in the wilderness that is rarely visited is Steamboat Rock.
Slot canyons
The Paria Wilderness area contains three amazing slot canyons. Buckskin Gulch is often called the longest and deepest slot canyon in the world. It is 21 miles long. Two days of hiking are usually required, and a permit is necessary for an overnight trip. Wire Pass is another narrow slot canyon that represents one access point to Buckskin Gulch. Exploring Wire Pass to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch and then walking up or down Buckskin Gulch and back requires no permit and allows you to get a good feel for the slot canyons. Buckskin Gulch empties into the Paria River Canyon, and a popular hike is from the Wire Pass trailhead through Wire Pass, down Buckskin Gulch, and up the Paria River Canyon to the White House trailhead.
Buckskin Gulch
Admiring the petroglyphs at the confluence of Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass
Paw Hole at South Coyote Buttes
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