Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area • Paria Canyon – Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness
Southern Utah is on a grand scale of magic like no other, and everyone should experience it once in their life. All of the rides listed on this page may be accessed within an hour’s haul from Paria River Ranch. Many are closer, or even rideable from the ranch itself.
Current listings: 2 trails
Best season: Spring & Fall, but many trails are accessible year-round.
Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument
Massive area available for cross country routing or designated trails.
- Moon Rocks Canyon
- Wahweep Hoodoos
- Lower Hackberry Canyon
Paria Canyon – Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness
Wilderness area with pristine slot canyons, petroglyphs and stunning rock formations.
- Paria River Canyon
- Upper Buckskin Gulch
- Lower Buckskin Gulch
- Copper Canyon
- The Nautilus
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Skylight Arch
BLM Land Access
Rides directly from Paria River Ranch that aren’t within National Monument or Wildnerness boundaries.
- Long Canyon
- Ranch Loop
Planning Notes for This Region
- Higher elevations result in higher UV exposure.
- Flash floods are an imminent danger in poor weather conditions.
- Rattlesnakes are present in warm seasons.
- SOS service may be challenging in slot canyons due to poor view of sky.
- Quicksand is present in many canyons and even mud and water will take longer to dry up due to lack of sunlight.
If you can ride 20 miles at home, expect shorter distances here. The desert zaps energy quickly. Start easy and work up to longer rides.
Need Help Preparing for a Southern Utah Trip?
Utah can be a relentless landscape with hazards not found in other regions of the US. If you’re interested in consulting before your trip or joining a group trip please reach out to adventure.equines@gmail.com
Moquistang; one little mustang who does it all. 