We have driven by the Contact Station for Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area on many occasions, but we were usually in a rush to get to or from the Grand Canyon or some other Arizona location. We have heard wonderful things about the various points within the Wilderness Area and it's easy to see even from the road just how enticing this destination is to the hiker and backpacker. After our recent hike across the Grand Canyon we decided that we had the time to stop and make a quick recon for future trips.

Contact Station

11:52 a.m.
We drove into the gravel parking area of the Contact Station for the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Area. It is on the south side of Highway 89, between mile post 20 and 21, in a small building. The Contact Station hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., but it is only open between March 15 and November 15. At other times of the year permits and information can be obtained at the BLM office in Kanab.

We talked with the “Ranger Volunteer” and picked up some hiking and camping information. We were told that there is drinking water available just outside of the Contact Station, but that there is none at the campground. The Ranger said that there is water in the river, farther south, but obviously we’d have to filter it. No reservations are accepted for the campground.

White House Campground

We drove down to scope out the campground, which is about two miles down a washboardy gravel road from the Contact Station. There is a large gravel parking area near the campground, two modern pit toilets, and informational kiosks near the White House Trailhead. On this day, in the middle of the week nowhere near a holiday, we were surprised at the number of vehicles parked here. But even on this cloudy day with a few sprinkles the temperature was 81 degrees, so I imagine that most hiking in this area is done in the spring and autumn.

For those camping, vehicles will have to be left in the lot and equipment must be carried to the selected camp site, several of which are quite a distance off into the desert. There seemed to be about five sites spread throughout the sandy desert area, and even though exposed, they are far enough away from each other that conversations would remain private. Each site looked to have a picnic table and a fire pit or raised grill.

There were only a few scattered pinyons and junipers, so shade would be a sparse commodity during the warmer months. However, as a backdrop, there are interesting sandstone formations that add to the allure of the site. Most of the area is covered by thin, desert variety grasses.

The camping fee is $5.00 per person per day, and there is a $5.00 per person fee for a backcountry permit when backpacking.

Picto Panel

12:44 p.m.
According to the Ranger, at milepost 24 there is a picto panel. At that point we spotted a road to the south, just on the east side of highway bridge in that area. The short road appears to dead end at a gate and there seems to be a trail leading off toward the west along the fence line toward a small, interesting looking canyon. The canyon is near the highway bridge, and is, apparently, where one can find the picto panels. We didn't have time on this trip, but now that we know where they are, we'll make an effort to stop on our next drive through.