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Backpackers in Paria Canyon

As you continue, the narrows become progressively deeper and more impressive. The Navajo sandstone walls curve overhead, blocking out most of the sky. Little vegetation grows in the narrows because floods regularly scour the riverbed. At mile 7.2, Buckskin Canyon enters from the right through a narrow slot. You also cross the state line back into Arizona at this point, a fact that seems pretty irrelevant deep within the canyons.

Tip: In a pinch, you can hike about 0.25 mile up Buckskin Canyon to a broad alluvial terrace, which is the only spot in the Narrows section where you could escape rising water.

The Paria River is sometimes dry from the trailhead to Buckskin Canyon, but it usually flows downstream of this point. Buckskin Canyon offers an optional side hike.

Another 3 miles of hiking leads out of the narrows, which ends gradually as the canyon grows steadily deeper and wider. The first sign that the character of the canyon is changing is the appearance of Fremont cottonwood trees on alluvial terraces on the insides of bends. Watch for the first springs along the canyon walls. Although it still should be treated, the spring water is cleaner and certainly tastes better than the Paria River water. These terraces offer reasonable campsites safely above possible flood waters.