GET GREAT PHOTOS!
GET AWAY FROM THE CROWDS!
SEE UNSPOILED NATURAL BEAUTY!
During the pioneer days they called it the “Sand Hills” because of the deep sand that covers the top of this 500 square mile plateau. The escarpment is surrounded by towering 2500 foot cliffs that line the Colorado River’s Marble Canyon, the magnificent Paria Canyon, and the deep and narrow slot canyon, the Buckskin Gulch.
Later they called it the Paria Plateau, and since 2000 it is now named the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.
But if they had named it “A High Desert Wonderland of fantastically colorful shapes, formations and hoodos”, well, that is exactly what it is.
Legendary locations include the North Coyote Buttes, home of “The Wave”, the less famous but equally beautiful South Coyote Buttes, and the increasingly famous “White Pocket”.
But there are more photogenic treasures, largely unvisited, that decorate the Plateau, the majority of which remain largely unvisited to this day.
We can take you on an extensive scenic drive in our Suburban to show you some great photogenic spots, such as formation-rich Pinnacle Valley, the orange and white brainrocks of the Middle Reservoir, the extremely photogenic Double Barrel Arch, the huge area of linear white Brainrocks of Joe’s Ranch and the majestic, intriguing colors of Soap Creek, as well as Anasazi Petroglyphs and habitation sites. Because of our proximity to the Vermilion Cliffs, we are the only company who offers this tour.
We can customize this tour to fit your interests and hiking abilities.
If you’re looking for extremely photogenic examples of colorful and unusual landscapes and geologic formations in a remote, unvisited wilderness you will enjoy this day. It is a chance to experience natural beauty in the solitude it merits.
Our guides will share their knowledge of the plateau helping you concentrate on the best of the area.
$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
- A one hour drive to reach the Vermilion Cliffs from our location. Once on the plateau a spectacular drive that reveals the remoteness and beauty of the Vermilion Cliffs.
- We customize this tour to your interest and hiking ability. There is way more to see up here than you can see in a day, or even a lifetime, so we’ll talk to you first and plan from there.
- We can balance the hiking and driving times for your preference.
- 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
BREATHTAKING VIEWS, ENTHUSIASTIC GUIDES!!
We have taken full day excursions with Paria Outfitters for the past two years. All of the guides are long term residents with great knowledge of local history as well as the geology and natural history of the area. They have explored so much of the plateau that they can take visitors places the other outfits haven’t yet discovered. The rock formations are spectacular in shape and color, the likes of which we have seen nowhere else. Also, the guides are so enthusiastic they add excitement to the trip. We have been out with Steve, the owner, who as been in the area more than 20 years and Dallas who was born and raised in the Grand Staircase area. They are constantly exploring the area for new sites and have such a good time you can’t help having one.
Joe B.
LOS ANGELES, CA
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.
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.
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.