Buckskin Gulch

Dogs Leashed

Features Cave · River/Creek · Views

Your GPS will not work in the canyon. In most spots, you'll have only minimal view of the sky at all.

Buckskin Gulch is less well-known than the adjacent, world-famous, Coyote Gulch (AKA, The Wave), but is still a life-list destination hike. You'll wind along a sandy floor between 200-foot-tall sandstone walls sometimes so close together you can touch both sides at the same time. In one spot, you'll need to climb down a short knotted rope (about 10 feet). You may need to wade through water or negotiate mud (or quicksand!) at some point as well.

Buckskin is not to be taken likely! This is an experts-only trail and you should have some experience in deserts and slot canyons. Once you venture into Buckskin, it's hard to get lost. However, escape is difficult—make sure flash flood conditions are minimal because ... well, there are large logs wedged 200 feet up the canyon walls. The gulch itself is 14 miles and connects to the Pariah River (another 10 miles).

Terrain-wise, this is not a difficult hike but earns a tougher rating due to the length and level of commitment.