Paria Townsite & Movie Set: Echoes of Utah’s Forgotten Frontier
Journey into the heart of Utah’s canyon country, where a lost pioneer town met Hollywood’s Wild West.
Tucked within the dramatic red-rock vistas between Kanab, Utah, and Page, Arizona, the Paria Townsite, also spelled as Pahreah, tells a story as raw as the land itself. Once a bustling pioneer settlement founded in the 19th century, Paria has evolved into a legendary ghost town, its rugged scenery capturing the imagination of travelers and filmmakers alike. Today, the deserted cemetery and remnants of movie sets offer a striking glimpse into Utah’s pioneer past and Hollywood’s Wild West dreams.
In This Article
- The Founding and Rise of Paria
- Paria’s Decline & Legacy as a Ghost Town
- From Deserted Town to Hollywood Backdrop
- Visiting the Paria Townsite Today
- Getting There: Access & Directions
- Timeline: Major Events in Paria’s History
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Founding and Rise of Paria
Paria’s roots date back to 1865. At the conclusion of the Black Hawk War, a determined Mormon group led by Peter Shirts settled near the Paria River, naming their new home Rockhouse in honor of a sturdy sandstone dwelling. By 1870, following repeated raids, flooding, and persistent hardship, the settlement shifted about five miles upstream to form Pahreah—a new, hopeful farming and ranching community under William Meeks, a prominent figure among the settlers.
The fledgling town quickly took shape, with the construction of churches, schools, modest sandstone homes, and vital infrastructure such as an irrigation system and a general store. The population grew, and despite the arid conditions, farming and ranching flourished for a brief golden period through the 1870s.
- Location: Along the Paria River in Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Kane County, Utah
- First Settlement: 1865 (as Rockhouse)
- Permanent Shift Upstream: 1870, formation of Pahreah
- Economy: Primarily farming and ranching
- Community Landmarks: General store, church, cemetery
Paria’s Decline & Legacy as a Ghost Town
Though Paria’s pioneers succeeded against the odds, their victory was short-lived. The very river that had promised life repeatedly unleashed floods that devastated the fields and cut off the town’s crucial access to land and water. Between 1883 and 1888, nearly annual floods forced many families to abandon their hard-won homesteads, as surviving buildings and crops were washed away.
By the 1890s, Paria was a shell of its former self. Only a handful of families remained, even as the U.S. government inexplicably awarded the town a post office under the anglicized name Paria in 1892. A brief glimmer of hope appeared in 1911 with the establishment of a small gold mining operation. However, yet another flood swept away any chance of prosperity, and the post office shuttered for good in 1914. The last determined resident, a bachelor prospector, left in 1929, sealing Paria’s fate as a deserted relic.
- Population Peak: 1870s
- Flooding: Annual major floods (1883–1888)
- Mining Era: 1911–1912 (ended by flood)
- Final Abandonment: 1929
What remains today? The silent remnants of Paria—its cemetery on a windswept rise, scattered stone foundations, and sun-bleached wooden markers—paint a poignant picture of frontier determination and tragedy.
From Deserted Town to Hollywood Backdrop
If Paria’s real-life story is one of hardship and survival, its afterlife in American culture is a tale of cinematic legend. The stark, colorful badlands and canyons that had once worn down the hopes of pioneers soon attracted the attention of the film industry. In the 1940s, Hollywood location scouts scouting for quintessential Old West scenery discovered Paria’s evocative ruins, using the ghost town as a rugged stage for movies and television shows.
- 1943: First major Hollywood film scenes in Clarence Brown’s Buffalo Bill (paradigmatic Western film).
- 1950s–1960s: Regular use for movies and TV, including episodes of Gunsmoke and the construction of new Western-style buildings for productions.
- 1961: Construction of an elaborate movie set for Sergeants 3, placing a replica Old West town about a mile from the original site.
- 1975: The Outlaw Josey Wales (starring Clint Eastwood) filmed on site, bringing lasting fame.
- 1998–2001: BLM volunteers rebuilt the set after major flooding, adding interpretive signs to explain the site’s dual history as town and movie set.
- 2006: The reconstructed set was destroyed by a suspicious fire, ending most large-scale commercial filming.
- 2007: Site used for the independent film The Attic Door.
Misunderstandings abound—even today—between the original town of Paria (now largely vanished, save its cemetery) and the movie set constructed by Hollywood that became an attraction in its own right.
Visiting the Paria Townsite Today
Though precious few standing structures remain following fire, flood, and neglect, Paria remains one of the Southwest’s most evocative ghost town sites, renowned for its rugged beauty, rich history, and photographic opportunities.
What You’ll Find at Paria
- Cemetery: The well-marked Pahreah cemetery, a poetic marker for the vanished town.
- Scenic Overlooks: Sweeping panoramas of colorful badlands, stratified cliffs, and isolated mesas.
- Interpretive Signs: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) signage details the area’s twin histories—pioneer hardship and Hollywood glamour.
- Remnants: Scattered foundation stones, abandoned mining relics, fragments of a replica Western streetscape (post-2006, most movie set structures are gone).
- Picnic Area: A small picnic area and restroom facilities, provided by the BLM.
- Hiking: Trailheads lead into the Paria River wilderness and canyon backcountry, including options for advanced hikes like into Buckskin Gulch.
Tips for Visitors
- No services: There is no water, food, gas, or camping available on site. Come prepared.
- Seasonal access: Best times to visit are spring and fall for mild weather and reliable roads.
- Road conditions: Access road is dirt—passable for most vehicles only when dry; it becomes treacherous after rain or snowmelt.
- Flash floods: July and August are peak flood risk. The Paria River’s dangerous flash floods historically destroyed both town and roads—always check weather conditions before your visit.
- Stay on the road: Off-road driving is strictly prohibited to protect fragile soils and archaeological sites.
Getting There: Access & Directions
Paria Townsite sits just north of US Highway 89, roughly halfway between Kanab, Utah, and Page, Arizona. The entrance is clearly marked for those watching for signs, and the area registers in Google Maps.
- From Kanab, UT: Drive east on US-89 for 34 miles. Watch for the marked turnoff north (left), just past mile marker 31. The dirt road leads north about 5 miles to the main parking area.
- From Page, AZ: Drive west on US-89 for 39 miles. Look for the turnoff just after mile marker 30, head north on the dirt road 5 miles.
Travel note: The final miles are winding and narrow but passable for most standard vehicles if the road is dry. After rain or in winter (due to snowmelt), the track becomes slick clay that can trap even high-clearance 4WDs.
Nearby Attractions
- Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument: Large swaths of Utah’s most colorful badlands, canyons, and remote hiking trails.
- Buckskin Gulch: World-famous slot canyon hiking accessible from the Paria region.
- Kanab: Small western town, known as “Little Hollywood” for its long heritage of film and TV production; many themed attractions, museums, and modern amenities.
- Lake Powell: Boating, recreation, and dramatic scenery a short drive south in Arizona.
Timeline: Major Events in Paria’s History
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1865 | First settlement at Rockhouse led by Peter Shirts |
| 1870 | Community moves upstream, forms Pahreah under William Meeks |
| 1870s | Town prospers: farming, ranching, churches, and general store |
| 1883–1888 | Annual heavy flooding begins, drives settlers away |
| 1892 | Post office established as Paria |
| 1911 | Gold mining attempt ends in another destructive flood |
| 1914 | Post office closes as population dwindles |
| 1929 | Last permanent resident leaves Paria |
| 1943 | First major film: Buffalo Bill shot in Paria |
| 1950s–1970s | Regular movie & TV production (Gunsmoke, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Sergeants 3) |
| 2006 | Movie set destroyed by arson fire |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is the original Paria ghost town still standing?
A: The original town is largely gone except for the old cemetery and stone remnants. Most buildings were destroyed by flooding and time; the movie set added later also no longer stands after fire and vandalism.
Q: Can visitors explore the movie set?
A: No, the major structures of the movie set were destroyed by fire in 2006. Only some foundation fragments and interpretive BLM signage remain, though the site’s dramatic setting persists.
Q: Do I need a permit to visit Paria?
A: No permit is required for day visits, photos, or hiking at the Paria Townsite itself. If you plan extended backcountry hikes further into the canyons (such as overnight trips), permits are required from the BLM.
Q: What is the best time of year to visit?
A: Spring and fall offer the healthiest combination of mild temperatures, dry roads, and safe river conditions. Summer monsoons and winter snowmelt make the road risky and sights less accessible.
Q: How long should I spend at the site?
A: Most visitors spend 1–2 hours, exploring the cemetery, reading interpretive signs, enjoying picnics, or beginning hikes into the colorful canyons.
Q: Why is Paria important?
A: Paria’s twin legacies—as a tough pioneer outpost and as an icon of Wild West moviemaking—have helped preserve local history and make Utah’s southern wilderness world-famous among history buffs, film fans, and outdoor explorers alike.
Planning Your Visit: Essential Reminders
- Bring everything you need: food, water, sun protection, and a camera.
- Don’t expect cell signal; download maps in advance.
- Respect posted signs and leave no trace—preserve this fragile piece of American heritage for future generations.
- Be vigilant for quickly changing weather; flash floods are a serious danger.
Whether your interest lies in pioneer history, cinematic lore, or Utah’s extraordinary desert beauty, Paria Townsite and its vanished movie set stand as a stark, stirring reminder of both brutal hardship and lasting legend in the American West.
