Overview

This remote and unspoiled, 294,000-acre monument is a geologic treasure, containing Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes and Paria Canyon.

Visitors will enjoy scenic views of towering cliffs and deep canyons. Paria Canyon offers an outstanding three to five day wilderness backpacking experience. The colorful swirls of cross-bedded sandstone in Coyote Buttes are an international hiking destination. There are also opportunities to view wildlife, including California condors. There are two developed campgrounds just outside the monument: Stateline and White House. Dispersed camping is allowed outside the wilderness area in previously disturbed areas.

You must have a permit to hike in Coyote Buttes North (the Wave), Coyote Buttes South, and for overnight trips within Paria Canyon. Learn more about permits for Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

There are no visitor centers on the monument.

Visits to the area require special planning and awareness of potential hazards such as rugged and unmarked roads, poisonous reptiles and insects, extreme heat or cold, deep sand, and flash floods. Bring a spare tire and plenty of water, food, and gasoline. Arizona Strip visitor maps are available at the Paria Contact Station (open seasonally), BLM-Kanab Visitor Center, and the Interagency Information Center in St. George, Utah.

Located on the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument includes the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. The monument borders Kaibab National Forest to the west and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the east. From Flagstaff, travel north of U.S. Highway 89 or 89A. From Kanab, Utah take U.S. Highway 89 to the east or 89A to the south. There are no paved roads within the monument.