Follow the routes of mule pack trains across the Southwest on the Old Spanish
National Historic Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles,
California. New Mexican traders moved locally produced merchandise across what
are now six states to exchange for mules and horses.

Follow the routes of mule pack trains across the Southwest on the Old Spanish National Historic Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. New Mexican traders moved locally produced merchandise across what are now six states to exchange for mules and horses.

Santa Rosa de Lima de Abiquiъ provided a way station for travelers along the Old Spanish Trail in the 1800s. It is privately owned by the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

Santa Rosa de Lima de Abiquiъ, Abiquiъ, New Mexico

This section of the Rio Chama River, tributary of the Rio Grande, is located about six miles north of Abiquiъ, New Mexico and flows through the Carson National Forest.

Rio Chama River, Abiquiъ, New Mexico

This section of the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area is off Interstate 15 about 20 miles southwest of St. George, Utah and about 20 miles northeast of Mesquite, Nevada

Virgin River Canyon, Arizona

Sierra Blanca is a prominent mountain in the Sangre de Cristo Range along San Luis Valley on Highway 17. Locating landmarks were essential to traveling the Old Spanish Trail.

Sierra Blanca, San Luis Valley, Colorado

This trail segment is 5.25 miles, and is part of the Old Spanish Trail/Mormon Road Historic District, outside Blue Diamond, Clark County, Nevada.

Old Spanish Trail segment, Nevada

Old Spanish Trail travelers used this section of the historic Mojave Road is within Mojave National Preserve.

Mojave Road, California

The San Rafael Swell is a huge craggy geologic feature (an anticline), about 75 miles by 40 miles, located in south-central Utah approximately 30 miles west of Green River.

San Rafael Swell, Utah

Old Spanish National Historic Trail | NPS

A short hike through a narrow slot canyon to a petroglyph panel and the
narrows of Buckskin Gulch, Wire Pass provides an enticing introduction to the
geological wonders and undeveloped beauty of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs
Wilderness.

From the Wire Pass Trailhead, visitors begin by hiking a little over a mile
down Coyote Wash before entering the narrows of Wire Pass. Two short stretches
of narrow canyon lead to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch, where visitors
can observe a petroglyph panel before continuing into the Buckskin Gulch
narrows or turning around and returning to the trailhead.

Wire Pass is most popularly hiked as a day hike. Wire Pass is also often used
as a beginning or end point for overnight trips through Buckskin Gulch and
Paria Canyon. Overnight trips require a Paria Canyon Overnight Permit, which
must be reserved in advance and are in limited supply.

Please visit Recreation.gov for further information about overnight permits.

Mileage: Wire Pass Trailhead to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch:
approximately 1.7 miles one way. Wire Pass Trailhead to the confluence with
Paria Canyon* (via Buckskin Gulch): approximately 13 miles one way. *Please
Note: The Paria Canyon Confluence is approximately 7 miles from White House,
the nearest trailhead.

For more information, detailed maps, and current conditions, contact the Paria
Contact Station, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor
Center in Kanab, UT, or the Arizona Strip Interagency Visitor Center in St.
George, UT.

## Permit Information

Permits are required for day-use and (overnight-Use sold separate, and in
advance) in this area. Permits can be purchased in advance or at the trailhead
at Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness (Coyote Buttes North (The Wave),
Coyote Buttes South, and Paria Canyon Overnight) on recreation.gov

A short hike through a narrow slot canyon to a petroglyph panel and the narrows of Buckskin Gulch, Wire Pass provides an enticing introduction to the geological wonders and undeveloped beauty of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. From the Wire Pass Trailhead, visitors begin by hiking a little over a mile down Coyote Wash before entering the narrows of Wire Pass. Two short stretches of narrow canyon lead to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch, where visitors can observe a petroglyph panel before continuing into the Buckskin Gulch narrows or turning around and returning to the trailhead.Wire Pass is most popularly hiked as a day hike. Wire Pass is also often used as a beginning or end point for overnight trips through Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon. Overnight trips require a Paria Canyon Overnight Permit, which must be reserved in advance and are in limited supply.Please visit <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/permits/74984" rel="nofollow">Recreation.gov</a> for further information about overnight permits. Mileage: Wire Pass Trailhead to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch: approximately 1.7 miles one way. Wire Pass Trailhead to the confluence with Paria Canyon* (via Buckskin Gulch): approximately 13 miles one way. *Please Note: The Paria Canyon Confluence is approximately 7 miles from White House, the nearest trailhead. For more information, detailed maps, and current conditions, contact the Paria Contact Station, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, UT, or the Arizona Strip Interagency Visitor Center in St. George, UT.
<h2>Permit Information</h2> 
Permits are required for day-use and (overnight-Use sold separate, and in advance) in this area. Permits can be purchased in advance or at the trailhead at 
Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness (Coyote Buttes North (The Wave), Coyote Buttes South, and Paria Canyon Overnight) on recreation.gov

Bird's eye view of the park

Wire Pass

Nationally known for its beauty, the Paria Canyon has towering walls streaked
with desert varnish, huge red rock amphitheaters, sandstone arches, wooded
terraces, and hanging gardens. The 3,000-foot escarpment known as the
Vermilion Cliffs dominates the remainder of the wilderness with its thick
Navajo sandstone face, steep, boulder-strewn slopes, rugged arroyos and stark
overall appearance. Some of the best slot canyon hiking opportunities on the
Colorado Plateau are found here.

Deer and desert bighorn sheep inhabit the area.

The wilderness also provides opportunities for backpacking, photography, and
solitude.

In the northwest portion of the wilderness lies Coyote Buttes, an area of
spectacular scenery displaying domes, aprons, fins, corridors, and a variety
of small fragile rock sculptures carved in colorful swirling cross bedded
sandstone. The variety of colors and textures in the rock formations within
the wilderness constantly change with variations in light and weather. This
colorful sandstone area creates a feeling of wonder and amazement.

Nationally known for its beauty, the Paria Canyon has towering walls streaked with desert varnish, huge red rock amphitheaters, sandstone arches, wooded terraces, and hanging gardens. The 3,000-foot escarpment known as the Vermilion Cliffs dominates the remainder of the wilderness with its thick Navajo sandstone face, steep, boulder-strewn slopes, rugged arroyos and stark overall appearance. Some of the best slot canyon hiking opportunities on the Colorado Plateau are found here.Deer and desert bighorn sheep inhabit the area. The wilderness also provides opportunities for backpacking, photography, and solitude.In the northwest portion of the wilderness lies Coyote Buttes, an area of spectacular scenery displaying domes, aprons, fins, corridors, and a variety of small fragile rock sculptures carved in colorful swirling cross bedded sandstone. The variety of colors and textures in the rock formations within the wilderness constantly change with variations in light and weather. This colorful sandstone area creates a feeling of wonder and amazement.

You must have a permit to visit Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and Coyote
Buttes South. Permits are available for day use only. There is a daily limit
on permits. Permits for Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) are offered through a
lottery.

  * Learn more about permits to visit Coyote Buttes North (The Wave)
  * Learn more about permits to visit Coyote Buttes South

Banner-Paria-Vermillion

California condor

Cali Condor

Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness

The 400-acre Tilted Mesa Trail System consists of three connected mesas (from
east to west, these are called First, Second, and Third Mesa) situated on and
adjacent to the Shinarump Cliffs between 5,100 and 5,400 feet. The trail
system is interconnected and in total consists of approximately 13 miles of
single-track trail designed specifically for mountain biking, and is located
approximately 9.5 miles east of Kanab, Utah.

The trail system is designated as open to mountain biking, Class 1 e-bikes and
hiking activities and incorporates a stacked-loop system of single-track
trails of varying difficulty, to offer a variety of user experiences.
Motorized use other than Class 1 e-bikes is not authorized.

The 400-acre Tilted Mesa Trail System consists of three connected mesas (from east to west, these are called First, Second, and Third Mesa) situated on and adjacent to the Shinarump Cliffs between 5,100 and 5,400 feet. The trail system is interconnected and in total consists of approximately 13 miles of single-track trail designed specifically for mountain biking, and is located approximately 9.5 miles east of Kanab, Utah.

The trail system is designated as open to mountain biking, Class 1 e-bikes and hiking activities and incorporates a stacked-loop system of single-track trails of varying difficulty, to offer a variety of user experiences.  Motorized use other than Class 1 e-bikes is not authorized.

No Fee. Donations will be accepted. For more information on how to donate,
please call or email. Contact information provided above.

Tilted Mesa Mountain Biking Trail System (Tilted Mesa)

Crocodile Staging Area provides a convenient parking and staging location for
ATV/UTV riders interested in exploring the Hog Canyon OHV Trail System and the
John R Flat area of the Kanab Field Office.

The staging area offers a vault toilet, picnic table, and a parking lot. No
other amenities are available. For more information and area maps, please
visit the Kanab Visitor Center (BLM) in Kanab, UT.

Please be respectful of private land that borders the staging area.

Crocodile Staging Area provides a convenient parking and staging location for ATV/UTV riders interested in exploring the Hog Canyon OHV Trail System and the John R Flat area of the Kanab Field Office.The staging area offers a vault toilet, picnic table, and a parking lot. No other amenities are available. For more information and area maps, please visit the Kanab Visitor Center (BLM) in Kanab, UT.Please be respectful of private land that borders the staging area.

Crocodile Staging Area

The Mansard Trail is a roughly five-mile roundtrip out-and-back hiking trail
accessed from the Vermilion Cliffs Estates subdivision to the east of Kanab,
UT. The trail climbs the Vermilion Cliffs to an alcove filled with unique,
approximately 870- to 1,070-year-old petroglyphs that have been pecked and
carved into the alcove’s sloping, sandstone floor.

From the trailhead, the Mansard Trail ascends approximately 950 feet over a
series of switchbacks, offering increasingly sweeping views of Kanab and the
plateaus of northern Arizona. As the trail reaches the top of the Vermilion
Cliffs, it negotiates a short section of rough stone slabs, which may require
a mild scramble. From here, the trail crosses the sandy plateau to arrive at
the base of the White Cliffs, where a scenic alcove contains petroglyphs from
the Pueblo II period (AD 950 to 1150).

Native American groups identify images like these as “rock writing,” because
they were a form of communication rather than decoration. **Respect and
protect rock writing and archaeological sites:**

**Keep discovery alive.** Archaeological sites are fragile and irreplaceable.
Treat sites with the respect they deserve so that future generations can
experience these direct links to the past.

**Don’t touch rock writing or make your own.** Never touch, deface, trace,
slide on, or otherwise damage rock writing. Direct contact with rock surfaces
causes the images to deteriorate, permanently erasing them and destroying the
experience for future visitors. Do not make your own markings or signatures on
any of the rock surfaces around the site. Leave the sand where it is – don’t
dig holes or brush off the rock writing panel. **Vandalism, damage,
defacement, or removal of any artifact or rock writing image on public lands
is illegal and can result in fines or imprisonment.**

**Watch your step.** Do not step or climb on the rock surface in the alcove.
Take care not to cause damage with hiking poles.

**Don’t camp, eat, or go to the bathroom near the site.** Camping, fires,
food, and human waste damage archaeological remains and spoil the view for
other visitors.

**Teach kids respect.** Archeological sites are not playgrounds. Please teach
children to be respectful visitors and keep an eye out to prevent them from
getting hurt or accidentally damaging sites.

**Keep dogs on leash.** Pets should be leashed and kept away from the alcove
to prevent damage, digging, or other impacts to the site. Please clean up and
pack out pet waste.

**Report vandalism or damage.** Help protect your public lands. If you notice
damage or see vandalism occurring, please notify the BLM Kanab Field Office at
435-644-1200 or the Kane County Sheriff's Department at 435-644-4916.

The Mansard Trail is best suited to foot traffic only; horses are allowed but
may find the stone scramble to be a serious obstacle. Dogs are allowed but may
require assistance in the steep section. Please keep them away from the rock
art and pack out their waste. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed
on the Mansard Trail, but ATVs may access the site via BLM104, a challenging
four-wheel-drive road. The Mansard Trailhead includes a graveled parking area
but no other amenities. For more information and detailed maps, visit the
Kanab Visitor Center (BLM) in Kanab, UT.

The Mansard Trail is a roughly five-mile roundtrip out-and-back hiking trail accessed from the Vermilion Cliffs Estates subdivision to the east of Kanab, UT. The trail climbs the Vermilion Cliffs to an alcove filled with unique, approximately 870- to 1,070-year-old petroglyphs that have been pecked and carved into the alcove’s sloping, sandstone floor.From the trailhead, the Mansard Trail ascends approximately 950 feet over a series of switchbacks, offering increasingly sweeping views of Kanab and the plateaus of northern Arizona. As the trail reaches the top of the Vermilion Cliffs, it negotiates a short section of rough stone slabs, which may require a mild scramble. From here, the trail crosses the sandy plateau to arrive at the base of the White Cliffs, where a scenic alcove contains petroglyphs from the Pueblo II period (AD 950 to 1150).Native American groups identify images like these as “rock writing,” because they were a form of communication rather than decoration. Respect and protect rock writing and archaeological sites:Keep discovery alive. Archaeological sites are fragile and irreplaceable. Treat sites with the respect they deserve so that future generations can experience these direct links to the past.Don’t touch rock writing or make your own. Never touch, deface, trace, slide on, or otherwise damage rock writing. Direct contact with rock surfaces causes the images to deteriorate, permanently erasing them and destroying the experience for future visitors. Do not make your own markings or signatures on any of the rock surfaces around the site. Leave the sand where it is – don’t dig holes or brush off the rock writing panel. Vandalism, damage, defacement, or removal of any artifact or rock writing image on public lands is illegal and can result in fines or imprisonment.Watch your step. Do not step or climb on the rock surface in the alcove. Take care not to cause damage with hiking poles.Don’t camp, eat, or go to the bathroom near the site. Camping, fires, food, and human waste damage archaeological remains and spoil the view for other visitors.Teach kids respect. Archeological sites are not playgrounds. Please teach children to be respectful visitors and keep an eye out to prevent them from getting hurt or accidentally damaging sites.Keep dogs on leash. Pets should be leashed and kept away from the alcove to prevent damage, digging, or other impacts to the site. Please clean up and pack out pet waste.Report vandalism or damage. Help protect your public lands. If you notice damage or see vandalism occurring, please notify the BLM Kanab Field Office at 435-644-1200 or the Kane County Sheriff's Department at 435-644-4916.The Mansard Trail is best suited to foot traffic only; horses are allowed but may find the stone scramble to be a serious obstacle. Dogs are allowed but may require assistance in the steep section. Please keep them away from the rock art and pack out their waste. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Mansard Trail, but ATVs may access the site via BLM104, a challenging four-wheel-drive road. The Mansard Trailhead includes a graveled parking area but no other amenities. For more information and detailed maps, visit the Kanab Visitor Center (BLM) in Kanab, UT.

Mansard Trail

## 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.

<h2>Overview</h2>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. <a href="https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/arizona" rel="nofollow">Learn more about permits for Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.</a> 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.

Old Spanish National Historic Trail | NPS

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Wire Pass

Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness

Tilted Mesa Mountain Biking Trail System (Tilted Mesa)

Crocodile Staging Area

Mansard Trail

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument