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BLM Camping

Paria Hackberry WSA

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Paria Hackberry WSA

The Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, is a federal government agency tasked with administering public land. In total, the agency watches over more than 247 million acres of land spread across more than 850 separate sites. These sites, which are diverse in their geographical attributes and climates, are frequently visited by campers and outdoor enthusiasts. If you live in the western United States, including Alaska, you may have BLM sites in your area. You can either check the BLM website or search for "BLM camping near me."

The Paria Hackberry Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is one site that the BLM maintains. Located only a short distance south of Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park, the WSA comprises over 136,000 acres of plateaus, benches, sand dunes, rock formations, and natural arches. Additionally, the narrow waters of the Paria River flow through the site. The wilderness area is visited regularly by adventurous hikers, campers, and anglers. It's also home to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which is an absolutely unforgettable spot to visit.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Sam Pollock Canyon Trail

Located within the BLM area, the Sam Pollock Canyon Trail is a moderately busy out-and-back trail. On the hike, you'll tread through an area surrounded by sandstone formations, wildflowers, and scattered brush. Lots of interesting bird species have been spotted in the area, so keep your eyes on the sky while you hike.

Length: 3 miles

Intensity: Moderate

The Wahweap Hoodoos Trail

The Wahweap Hoodoos Trail is found near Big Water, UT and traverses a rocky, open stretch of land. In addition to hiking, the trail and surrounding area present opportunities for camping, horseback riding, and birdwatching. Those who make the trek will be rewarded with the chance to see the amazing hoodoos, which are tall, spindly sediment formations.

Length: 9.1 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Trail to Skylight Arch

This out-and-back trail, located near Big Water, is known for its breathtaking views and the incredible Skylight Arch at its end. Four-wheel drive is recommended to reach the trailhead, but the hike itself is doable for hikers of all ability levels. You can bring your dogs along as long as they stay leashed.

Length: 2 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

The nearby Paria River is a solid fishing destination in a gorgeous setting. The most common types of fish caught at the river are rainbow trout and flannelmouth suckers. You can also take a kayak, canoe, or float tube out into the cool waters and drift or paddle the day away. Although the majority of the Paria Hackberry WSA is arid, you'll find several connected lakes and bays if you travel southeast to the Arizona border.

Climbing

With so many canyons, ridges, and rock formations in and around the area, climbing enthusiasts will have plenty to do at the Paria Hackberry WSA BLM site. Many adventurous climbers choose to head over to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument area. The area features lots of canyons and towers to climb. The quality of the rock isn't regarded that highly, but the amazing views and aesthetics of the area make it an amazing climbing destination.

Wildlife Viewing

Keep your eyes open and your camera ready as there are plenty of fascinating land animals and birds to be seen around the Paria Hackberry WSA. On the ground, you may observe elk, black-tailed deer, black bears, mountain lions, badgers, and many more. Alternatively, if you look up, you're likely to spot golden eagles, canyon wrens, spotted owls, and California condors.

Picnicking

Because of the remoteness of the area, you probably won't find any picnic tables or shelters around the BLM site. The terrain, for the most part, isn't particularly conducive to laying out a picnic blanket either. However, if you walk down to the banks of the Paria River, you can eat near the water while enjoying the scenic views and serene setting.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

RV camping is possible near the Paria Hackberry WSA, but you'll have to keep your vehicle outside of the actual wilderness area while doing so. This is due to federal regulations regarding areas designated as wilderness. However, you can stake out a campsite outside of the wilderness boundaries, or you can stay at one of the nearby RV campgrounds in the area. One excellent option is the Cannonville/Bryce Valley KOA Holiday; there, you'll have access to RV sites with 50-amp hookups that can accommodate vehicles up to 65 feet long.

Free Camping

The entire Paria Hackberry WSA is wide open for Bureau of Land Management free camping. You can't bring any motorized vehicles into the BLM area, but if you're willing to search and explore, you should find many potential areas to put together a primitive campsite. Alternatively, several nearby campgrounds only require a small fee and have sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. One such campground is the Rock Springs Bench Campsite.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Paria Hackberry WSA BLM trip

When you're heading to the Paria Hackberry WSA BLM area, make sure you're prepared for the weather. The summers in this part of Utah can get extremely hot and unforgiving, but the winters can get far chillier than you might expect. Even during summer, the temperature at night tends to quickly plummet, so you should bring warm clothes with you regardless of the season.

Keep in mind that there's virtually no shade or shelter in the area. Bring plenty of sun protection and extra drinking water. There aren't any significant services or conveniences around, so bring all of your own food and supplies with you. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

The BLM requires that all guests to their sites adhere to the Leave No Trace principles for minimizing your impact on the land. Following these guidelines means properly disposing of or removing all your waste and garbage when leaving the site. It also means leaving everything you find on the land undisturbed and keeping a safe distance from any animals you encounter. Finally, ensure that you only set up campsites on durable land and keep any campfires as small and contained as possible. By following these principles, you can contribute to keeping the land healthy and beautiful.

Paria Hackberry WSA Location

To reach the Paria Hackberry WSA from St. George, take I-5 N for about 6.1 miles and take exit 16 to merge onto UT-9 E. Follow UT-9 E for 10.3 miles; then, turn left onto UT-59 S and stay on it for 22 miles. Continue onto AZ-389 E and follow it for 32.6 miles, and then, turn left onto US-89 A N. After another 6.8 miles, turn right onto US-89 S and remain on it for 33.3 miles. At that point, you'll turn left off the highway onto a dirt road, which you'll follow for 2.6 miles and then continue onto K4250/Paria Movie Rd. After about three more miles, you'll reach the outskirts of the BLM site.

Ready to visit Paria Hackberry WSA? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.

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