Old Spanish National Historic Trail –
The Paria Box
“A delightful journey along the Paria River, rich in history, surrounded by the beautiful, but tortured rock of the Cockscomb.”
Easy
4.88 miles (7.85 km)
Hiking
The Box of the Paria River is located within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and traverses a section of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail (Armijo Route) following the banks of the Paria River as it cuts through the colorful Cockscomb geologic formation. This 5-mile round trip requires a dozen shallow river crossings. The trail terminates on the west side of the Cockscomb formation at the historic site of the 1912 Spencer mining operations and can be traveled farther to the site of the old Paria townsite first established in 1870 and finally abandoned in 1929 due to repeated flooding events. The trail has an ascent of 182 ft.
GET THE APP. GET THE MAP.®
Download the Avenza Maps App and create an account. It’s free!
Directions
From the intersection of Lake Powell Blvd and North Navajo Drive in Page the trailhead is 38.6 miles (62.12 km). Drive northwest on Lake Powell Blvd and merge north onto HWY 89. At mile 26.9 turn right onto Cottonwood Canyon Road (impassable when wet). Follow the dirt road 11.5 miles to the Paria Box turn off to the left. Trailhead is .2 miles ahead.
Click marker below to navigate to trailhead.
Trail Details
Trailhead Coordinates: 37°13.4670 111°55.6229W
Trail Access: Free and open to the public
Trail Surface: River crossings, sand, mud
Trail Condition: Minimally developed
Trail Use Type: Hiking
Best Season: Year round, prepare for heat in summer and higher river flows during the spring and thunderstorm seasons
Parking at Trailhead: Yes
Restroom / Water: No
Pet Friendly: Yes, leash required for pets
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Trail Type: Out and back
Trail Length: 2.44 miles (3.93 km) one way, 4.88 miles (7.85 km) out and back
Elevation Gain / Loss: 182’ ascent
Elevation at Trailhead: 4651’
Cell Service: No
Land Manager: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
