Wire Pass Trailhead · No lottery
Buckskin Gulch & Wire Pass Canyon
The longest, deepest slot canyon in the American Southwest departs from the same trailhead as The Wave. No lottery required — just a self-pay day-use fee at the kiosk.
Permit
Self-pay ~$6/person
Lottery
None required
From Page
~1 hr 15 min
From Kanab
~1 hr 15 min
Trailhead
Wire Pass (same as The Wave)
Best for
Half-day or full day
What is Buckskin Gulch?
Buckskin Gulch is a tributary of the Paria River, carved over millions of years into a slot canyon that stretches approximately 15 miles through the Vermilion Cliffs. At its narrowest, the walls are only a few feet apart and hundreds of feet tall. It's widely considered the longest and deepest slot canyon in the American Southwest.
Most visitors don't hike the full canyon — that's a multi-day backcountry commitment requiring camping permits and serious preparation. Instead, they approach from the Wire Pass Trailhead, which is the same parking area used for The Wave, and enter through Wire Pass Canyon — a shorter, photogenic two-section slot that connects with the main Buckskin Gulch at a dramatic confluence.
Along the way, keep an eye out for Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs — bighorn sheep and other figures carved into the canyon walls hundreds, possibly thousands, of years ago.
What to expect on the hike
Wire Pass Canyon entry (~0.8 miles)
The approach from the trailhead follows a dry wash with sections of deep sand. The canyon walls gradually close in, building anticipation as the slot deepens. Photogenic from the first few steps.
The downclimb (midway)
One section requires an 8–10 foot downclimb. In dry conditions this is manageable for most fit adults, but may be challenging for children, seniors, or those with limited upper-body strength. There are usually good footholds.
Wire Pass slot canyon
The canyon walls close together and the light becomes ethereal — soft, filtered, bouncing off the curved sandstone walls. This is the most photogenic section for most visitors.
Confluence with Buckskin Gulch
Where Wire Pass meets the main Buckskin Gulch. The canyon becomes dramatically larger here. Many hikers turn around at the confluence (about 1.7 miles from the trailhead). Those wanting more can continue into Buckskin Gulch.
Deeper Buckskin Gulch
Past the confluence, Buckskin Gulch continues for miles. Expect boulder obstacles, pools of standing water (cold and sometimes waist-deep after rain), and sections of complete darkness. Plan this as a full-day commitment at minimum.
⚠️ Flash flood warning
Rule: Never enter Buckskin Gulch when rain is forecast anywhere in the drainage area — even storms miles away. Reason: Buckskin Gulch is a narrow, deep slot canyon with no escape routes for most of its length. Consequence: Flash floods surge through this canyon with no warning and at terrifying speed. Multiple fatalities have occurred here in flood events. Check weather forecasts for the entire Paria River drainage before entering.
Getting there
The Wire Pass Trailhead is on House Rock Valley Road, the same unpaved road used to reach The Wave. From US-89 (between Page and Kanab), turn south onto House Rock Valley Road and continue approximately 8 miles to the parking area.
In dry conditions, 2WD vehicles can usually make this trip. After any precipitation, the road may become impassable. Always check road conditions before departing — contact the Page or Kanab permit pick-up centers for current status.
Pay the day-use fee ($6/person, approximately — verify at the trailhead kiosk) before entering. This is not a lottery — no advance reservation required.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch in a half day?+
Yes — the Wire Pass Canyon + confluence is a roughly 3–4 mile round trip that takes 2–3 hours for most hikers. A half-day outing is perfectly reasonable. If you want to explore further into Buckskin Gulch, budget a full day.
Is there water in Buckskin Gulch?+
Often. Pools of standing water (sometimes waist-deep) are common in the lower sections of Buckskin Gulch, particularly after rain or in spring. Bring waterproof bags for your electronics and expect cold, stagnant water. Wire Pass Canyon is usually drier.
Can I visit Buckskin Gulch and The Wave on the same trip?+
The trailheads are the same, but the hikes are very different commitments. The Wave is a 6-mile day hike requiring a difficult-to-win permit. Buckskin Gulch is an easy-to-access no-lottery slot canyon. Most visitors use Buckskin Gulch as their backup plan if they don't win a Wave permit — or as a separate day trip.