Types
Paria Canyon is a remote wilderness in southern Utah. The Paria River flows into the Colorado River at the Grand Canyon at its southernmost location. The Escalante River flows through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Features
You can backpack along of these rivers. The Virgin River flows through Arizona and Utah with a small campground near St. George, Utah. The campground is primitive, remote and seldom crowded.
Seasons
The best seasons for hiking and backpacking along these rivers is during the dry seasons in fall and spring. Summer temperatures are hot in the afternoon and heavy thunderstorms anywhere along the watersheds that feed these rivers can flood the canyons, creating dangerous conditions for hikers in the narrows of these canyons.
Considerations
All of these wilderness areas require permits to use. Obtain these permits from Bureau of Land Management offices, state parks or the national parks in the area.
Warnings
Bringing an emergency weather radio will give you information about the weather affecting the surrounding area. Should heavy rain fall, you will have the information you need to head to higher ground. Bring plenty of water since the water in these rivers is not potable.
