EXTREMELY UNIQUE BIZARRE GEOLOGY!
“Extremely Unique” doesn’t begin to describe the bizarre geology of Sidestep Canyon. It is an expansive green, white and red valley that opens up out of nowhere, sprouting balanced rocks as if they were planted. From three feet tall to one hundred and fifty feet tall, the tallest one in the area, perhaps in the state.
A fairly long hike, Sidestep is never crowded. It offers the opportunity to experience natural beauty and solitude together, something that we all yearn for and something that is becoming harder to find in the National Parks.
The opportunity to get a really great photograph without being in a crowd is also what the photogenic treasure called Sidestep Canyon offers you.
We can visit all of it going through it to the bottom of Wahweap Wash into the canyon on the other side. There are literally hundreds of balanced rocks, as well as remarkable formations.
Only a half hour from the Outpost, it’s a two and a half mile march to Sidestep.
Then we can explore through it all day leaving time to return in eight or nine hours.
Our guides will show you the best of Sidestep Canyon and it’s many photographic opportunities, as well as sharing local knowledge of the area with you. If you have more time we can share other places you can visit on your own.
If you can do the walk, it’s well worth it.
$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
- Driving & Hiking Times: Mostly hiking. A thirty minute drive from the Outpost to get to the trailhead.
- For good hikers only. Six to nine miles.
- Not recommended when really hot.
- 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
JUST PLAIN GOOD FOLKS!
Susan and Steve go out of their way to make sure that their clients have a special experience in this most amazing part of our country. Cannot wait to return for another adventure with this really great group of people!
Fiarbanks07
FAIRBANKS, AK
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.
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.
GRAND STAIRCASE
If you don’t want to hike much we can take you on a mostly DRIVING TOUR OF THE GRAND STAIRCASE, the COTTONWOOD CANYON ROAD and the SMOKEY MOUNTAIN ROAD are unbelievably eye-catching and photogenic, with lots of short stops and short hikes.mages.
FREE CAMPING AND RV PARKING FOR OUR CLIENTS AT PARIA OUTPOST.
GREAT PORCH & RESTROOMS.