VISIT THE BEST OF THE
SOUTHERN GRAND STAIRCASE
NATIONAL MONUMENT
The Grand Staircase National Monument and the BLM land surrounding it spans over a million acres, containing extremely diverse geology. It is filled with canyons, mountains, badlands, valleys full of colorful, strange formations. There are numerous landscapes to shoot, none of which resemble the other.
We can take you on an unforgettable day to experience the highlights of the Southern Grand Staircase.
Journey down the most scenic, interesting trackways to hike in canyons. Visit colorful areas and hoodos and get great photos of this largely unvisited national treasure.
We can take you to photograph the Rimrocks, a great collection of hoodos, see the highlights of the Paria River Area, or hike the Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass Slot Canyons.
We have three extremely scenic but geologically diverse main roads to choose from, all beginning just a few minutes from the Outpost, as well as specific places to visit.
The Cottonwood Canyon Road, a 5 minute drive from the Outpost, is a 48 mile road that follows a tectonic fault through the middle of the monument from north to south. Without doubt one of the best roads in the area for viewing striking photography and geology, it has a canyon and some narrows to hike as well as evolving, diverse geology as you travel down it. It’s really one of of the most scenic roads in the area if not the very most scenic.
The Smoky Mountain Road leaves Big Water, first through miles of badlands and then up some steep switchbacks that go on and on, finally arriving at one of the highest viewpoints around, with views of Lake Powell and the entire area for miles. Nearby are holes in the ground from which smoke issues from coal on fire deep underground. Then the road goes 50 more miles to Escalante, Utah. The Smoky Mountain Road is 4×4 only and one of the most remote. A great day trip with great views.
The Johnson Canyon Road has entirely different scenery, first through a red rock canyon containing Anasazi ruins to hike to, then out to a really beautiful part of the monument most people don’t yet know about. Great views continue out to an incredible panoramic view of the Paria River wilderness.
We’ll talk to you first and customize the tour according to how you want it done. We can do alot in a day, with as much driving/hiking as you wish.
This is a great chance to see rugged, remote unspoiled wilderness. We’ll get you out there and bring you back in a day to see miles and miles of extremely different geology. We’ll do our best for you, and our guides will help and explain all they can. If you want to really get “out there”, this will do it for you.
Most of the Grand Staircase remains largely unvisited because of remoteness, rugged road conditions, and the fact that a lot of it remains unknown by modern visitors to this day.
$200 + TAX per person ($220 TOTAL)
To book a guided photography, scenic, adventure, or hiking tour, photography workshop, overnight camp out, or make a reservation, please call or email us directly so that we can discuss your personal itinerary, in order to customize to your emphasis, interests and ability.
Call us at (928) 691-1047
or email outpost@paria.com
IMPORTANT
RESERVATIONS MUST CHECK IN WITH US
24-HOURS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE TOUR.
MEMORY MAKING MOMENTS
TOUR DETAILS
- Tours begin just minutes from the Outpost.
- We can customize this tour to visit specific locations or drive/hike as much as you want.
- Some of these roads are impassable when wet and can be completely washed out, so tours are dependent upon weather conditions.
- Driving & Hiking Times: It takes a little over two hours to reach soap Creek with stops in between. Easy hiking. Can do a two mile plus out to the edge as well to see great colors.
- All daytime and sunset tours are at least 8-9 hours.
- We bring lunch, water and cold drinks.
- Campouts and photo workshops are 24 hours.
- Available all year dependent upon weather and especially road conditions.
- No permit needed
- Price (same for all tours)
- Departure Times: Though somewhat flexible, departure times vary with the weather and the length of the day through the year. In spring we generally depart at 8 a.m., but when it gets really hot we recommend leaving by at least 7 a.m. or even earlier.
- Meeting Point: All our tours depart from the Paria Outpost, which is located directly on Highway 89 at mile 21 in Utah.
GPS COORDINATES: 37.1075° N, 111.9109° W - We are a thirty minute drive from Page, Arizona and a ten minute drive from Big Water, Utah. We are forty-five minutes from Kanab, Utah, and aa little over two hours from Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. We are located right on the highway and have a big sign out front.
- What to bring: You bring a backpack to carry lunch and water, sunscreen, and your camera.
FAQs
Where do the tours start?
All tours start at the Paria Outpost on Highway 89 and Paria River, thirty minutes from Page, Arizona and forty five minutes from Kanab, Utah.
What should I bring?
Enclosed hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat, backpack. Hiking poles if you use them. Lunch, water, and cold drinks are included.
Do I need a permit?
Only in the Coyote Buttes, nowhere else is a permitted area.
How many in group size?
Group size maximum is 5 clients per guide , with 10 clients and 2 guides max. We reserve the right to fill groups. If guests want “private tour” (a car and guide to themselves) they must pay for 4 seats 175×4=$700 in the car. We also have a 2 person minimum price, so if solo, cost is $350 minimum.
What time do we start?
Starting times are somewhat flexible according to the heat factor as well as your preference. We can discuss this when you write or call to check in twenty-four hours or so before the tour.
Are we located in Big Water?
Our mailing address is in Big Water but our business is located ten minutes or so farther down the highway toward Kanab, Utah, just across the Paria River,
How do I pay?
Though we don’t take money upfront for reservations, we do not accept credit cards. We always accept cash and personal checks are fine, if from America.
In an effort to be as user-friendly as possible we do not take money up front for reservations. We put your name on our calendar and count on you to show up. Weather can be unpredictable and other factors can change your itinerary and we do not want your money, if we cannot do your tour.
TESTIMONIALS
IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE GRAND STAIRCASE, THESE ARE THE FOLS TO SEE!
We spent three terrific days with Steve, Susan and their team seeing the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. We’ll be back for more next Spring! We had permits for North Coyote Buttes (The Wave) and South Coyote and had amazing tours of both. The third day, Steve took us to some less traveled but AWESOME places in the GSENM. North and South Coyote Buttes are by far the best known sites in GSENM but, believe me, there is a lot more to see than just those. So if you don’t have permits for the restricted access (or have been to them before) let Steve and Susan show you some of the less well known and less explored areas. In addition to being first-rate guides, Steve and Susan and team are first-rate people. Nature lovers and outdoor photographers: If you want to see the real GSENM, these are the folks to guide you.
Ed D.
COLUMBUS, OH
LOOKING FOR MORE ADVENTURE?
HAVE ANOTHER DAY TO SPEND WITH US?
SOAP CREEK
Let us take you through the heart of the VERMILION CLIFFS out to the colorful, extremely photogenic formations of the remote, largely unvisited Soap Creek. A really great tour.
VERMILION CLIFFS
We can show you more of the remote part of the VERMILION CLIFFS, such as a hike through Pinnacle Valley, out to Middle Reservoir, the “Cowboy Hat” formation, Double Barrel Arch or see Petroglyph panels and ruins as well.
WHITE POCKET
Take another day to visit the increasingly famous WHITE POCKET, an other-worldly formation of brain rocks and colors. World Class and World-Famous photography. Easy hiking. images.
SIDESTEP CANYON
If you’re a good hiker hike the three miles or so to see largely unvisited SIDESTEP CANYON, a giant green-colored valley full of literally hundreds of balanced rocks, from 3 feet tall to 150 feet tall. Great for viewing a spectacular example of unique geology and excellent photographic opportunities.
YELLOW ROCK
Again, if you are a good hiker, make the short but somewhat steep climb up to YELLOW ROCK, for lovely, stunning colors and great views of the Cockscomb area.mages.
NORTH COYOTE BUTTES & SOUTH COYOTE BUTTES
The famous NORTH COYOTE BUTTES or SOUTH COYOTE BUTTES. IF you can be in Kanab, Utah at 9 a.m., try the North Coyote Buttes Wave Lottery at the Kanab BLM visitor Center on Highway 89, or be there at 10 a.m. to try for a permit to the South Coyote Buttes, which, though less known, is easily as good or perhaps even better than the famous “Wave” that everyone wants. It’s easier to get this permit as well. However, only ten permits are available for each area per day at the Visitor Center. Permits are issued for the next day.
FREE CAMPING AND RV PARKING FOR OUR CLIENTS AT PARIA OUTPOST.
GREAT PORCH & RESTROOMS.