Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area

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West of Lake Powell and the city of Page on the state border of Arizona and Utah lies the Vermilion Cliffs Winderness Area. It encompasses the Paria Canyon - Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area. This rugged area is a geologic wonderland with breathtaking sandstone formations, deep slot canyons and high cliffs, towering up to 120m (400 ft) from the ground to the plateau.

The unquestioned highlights of Vermilion Cliffs are Buckskin Gulch (a side canyon of Paria Canyon and the world's longest slot canyon), Coyote Buttes and The Wave. The latter is America's best hiking secret, a famous, red-coloured geological formation resembling a gigantic wave (hence the name) with very thin white stripes.

The whole wilderness area is a (backcountry) hiker's paradise and offers three of the most pristine and remote trails in the United States:

• White House Trail, or Paria Canyon Trail, the central trail through the Paria Canyon
• Buckskin Gulch Trail
• Wire Pass Trail, the trailhead to the Wave

Hiking in Coyote Buttes requires a permit, the fee is $5.00 per person per day. It can only be obtained online on the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) website. This website is also your best choice for all the nitty-gritty about the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, from history to geology to driving directions.

Due to its narrow and deep corridors, canyoneering is also extremely popular in the Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch. Visit Canyoneering.com for general information or go to Climb Utah to read all the details about canyoning in the Buckskin Gulch.