Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane
Parks in Arizona
Photo: Outdoor Craziness / CC BY-SA 3.0
Near Marble Canyon, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane
Preparation starts with your pack. Here's what to bring.
The conditions at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness call for specific gear — here's a tailored packing list.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
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First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
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Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
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Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
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Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
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Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.
Wildlife Gear
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Bear canister — A hard-sided canister protects your food from raccoons, rodents, and other camp raiders too, not just bears.
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Bear spray — Bear spray works on all bear species; keep it in a hip holster for instant access, not buried in your pack.
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Bear bell — On windy trails or near streams where your voice might not carry, a bear bell provides constant, passive noise.
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Solo hikers are more vulnerable to predatory behavior from mountain lions, which typically avoid groups.
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Noise maker — A loud whistle doubles as a rescue signal, serving both wildlife safety and emergency communication.
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Gaiters — Beyond snakes, gaiters also protect against thorns, brush, and ticks in overgrown trail sections.
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First-aid snakebite kit — A lightweight pressure bandage and marker for tracking swelling take up minimal space but provide critical aid.
Climate Gear
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Layering system (wide temp swings) — Removing a layer before you sweat keeps your clothing dry, which is critical for warmth when temperatures drop again.
Terrain Gear
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Wide-brim hat — Desert and alpine environments with little tree cover leave you fully exposed; a hat is your primary shade source.
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Sunscreen SPF50+ — Apply 30 minutes before exposure and reapply every 2 hours; sweating and pack straps rub sunscreen off faster than expected.
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Extra water (desert) — Even well-mapped springs can go dry after low-snowpack years; always carry surplus and check recent trip reports.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane
The Desert terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
The Desert landscape around Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness makes it well suited for backpacking, bouldering, hiking.
The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.
Activities
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backpacking — Lightweight equipment and route awareness are key for safe travel.
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bouldering — Crash pads and spotters help reduce risk.
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hiking — With sturdy footwear and preparation, trails open up expansive views and quiet solitude.
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photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
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picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
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rv_camping — Hookups and designated sites make extended stays convenient.
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sightseeing — It's an accessible way to appreciate the character of a place.
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walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
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wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Desert — Rocky outcrops, sand, and dry washes are common features.
Wildlife Safety at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane
Knowing what to watch for helps you enjoy the outdoors here safely.
Wildlife safety at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness comes down to awareness. The area's danger score of 45/10 reflects Bears present, Mountain lions, Venomous snakes, Remote (191mi from city).
- Bears present
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (191mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Bears
Black Bear have been documented in this area. They're most active from .
Adults typically weigh 150 to 600 pounds, with males substantially larger than females.
Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant containers and keep a clean campsite.
- Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
- Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
- Make noise while hiking
- Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
- Back away slowly if you encounter a bear
Venomous Snakes
0 venomous snake species are found in this area: .
- Watch where you step and place hands
- Stay on trails
- Wear boots and long pants in snake country
- Do not reach under rocks or logs
- If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
- Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol
Nature & Wildlife at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane
The Desert terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
Nature at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness includes 2 tree species, 1 wildflower, and a range of mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Trees (2)
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Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Its thick bark forms broad orange plates separated by dark fissures. -
Gambel Oak — It often grows in dense thickets, spreading by underground sprouts to form large colonies.
Wildflowers (1)
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Stansbury's Cliffrose — Feathery seed plumes developing after flowering.
Shrubs (2)
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Roundleaf buffaloberry — A thorny shrub with silvery round leaves and small yellow flowers. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Ribbed stems grow close to the ground and may form tight clusters over time. Spines range from straw-colored to reddish brown, offering protection from herbivores.
Other Plants (5)
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Whipple Cholla
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Spinystar
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Kingcup Cactus
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Utah Juniper
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Plains Pricklypear
Mammals (5)
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Abert's Squirrel — Medium-sized with agile build. -
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam. -
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel — Bushy tail and alert posture. -
Pronghorn — Built for speed with long legs and large lungs. -
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel — Slender body adapted to hot climates.
Birds (10)
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Common Raven — Heavy bill and wedge-shaped tail -
Horned Lark — White outer tail feathers -
California Condor — Bare orange head -
Bald Eagle — Massive hooked yellow bill -
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay — White throat
Reptiles (9)
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Desert Spiny Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long. -
Common Side-blotched Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long including the tail. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long. -
Gopher Snake — Adults commonly reach 3–6 feet in length.
Insects (7)
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Convergent Lady Beetle -
Hunt's Bumble Bee -
Pandora Pinemoth -
Anicia Checkerspot -
Painted Lady
Nature Bingo at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane Climate & Sun
Here's the weather and sun data to help you pick the best time to visit.
Expect Continental weather at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, with the most comfortable conditions from May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Climate type: Continental
Annual avg temp: 56.5°F
Annual precipitation: 8.4 in
With an average annual temperature of 56.5°F and 8.4 inches of precipitation, Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness has mild, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 81°F, while winter lows drop to 35°F.
Best months to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 0.8 in |
| Feb | 40°F | 1.0 in |
| Mar | 48°F | 0.7 in |
| Apr | 54°F | 0.4 in |
| May | 64°F | 0.5 in |
| Jun | 74°F | 0.2 in |
| Jul | 81°F | 0.7 in |
| Aug | 78°F | 1.0 in |
| Sep | 70°F | 1.0 in |
| Oct | 57°F | 1.0 in |
| Nov | 44°F | 0.5 in |
| Dec | 34°F | 0.6 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.6 hours in winter to 14.7 hours in summer — a difference of 5.1 hours.
Summer: 5:06 AM – 7:48 PM
Winter: 7:33 AM – 5:11 PM
Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane Trip Planning & Access
Now for the logistics — distances, costs, and accessibility details for Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
Plan for a drive from Las Vegas to reach Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
Visitor Friendliness
Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent
- Elderly: highly_suitable
- Strollers: excellent (100/100)
- Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane
Extend your trip with these nearby outdoor spots.
Extend your visit with these nearby options — 14 destinations sit within range of Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
Nearby Trails
- Cathedral Wash Trail, Glen Canyon NRA 20.09 mi
- Navajo Trail, Coconino 20.23 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
Stargazing & Night Sky at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane
The night sky adds another dimension to an overnight visit here.
Stargazing at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness benefits from Excellent dark-sky site darkness — Bortle class 1 on the light pollution scale.
Constellations
Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus.
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Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole. -
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings. -
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.
Meteor Showers
The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
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Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.
Planets
Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:
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Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star -
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky -
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light -
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue
Equipment Guide
- Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
- Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
- Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune
Viewing Tips
- Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
- Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
- Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
- Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
- Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
- Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)
Best Viewing Months
- Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
- Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep
Seasonal Highlights at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane
Beyond the night sky, the changing seasons shape what you'll experience here.
Each season reveals a different side of Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, from wildflower blooms to fall foliage.
Spring Wildflowers
Peak bloom: April - May
Check local park websites for bloom reports
Fall Foliage
Peak color: September 15 – October 10
Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak
At 4281ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier
Bird Migration
Spring peak: April - May
Fall peak: September - October
Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges
Indigenous Land at Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane
The natural world here has been shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous stewardship.
The land around Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness has been home to Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute), Pueblos, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) for thousands of years.
Territories
Data from Native Land Digital
Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.
Bedrock Geology
- Rock Type
- Alluvium and colluvium
- Lithology
- Major:{unconsolidated alluvium,colluvium}
- Age
- Cenozoic
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 8
- Unique Species
- 8
- Oldest
- 246.7 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 40
- Richness
- High
- Minerals Found
- Sand and Gravel, Construction, Uranium, Gemstone, Manganese, Copper, Mercury
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 2596
- ESA Endangered
- 44
- ESA Threatened
- 29
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 114°F (2021-07-11)
- Record Low
- -14°F (1990-12-23)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 16
- Largest Fire
- Wire Pass (1,503.4 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2021
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Watershed
- Watershed
- Sand Gulch
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 100%
Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Kane Safety & Conditions
Check current conditions from these authoritative sources before you go.
Conditions change quickly outdoors. These links provide current data for the area around Paria Canyon-vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.
Coordinates: 37.055221, -111.875811