paria

Paria is a ghost town located in southern Utah, United States, within the Paria River valley near the Vermilion Cliffs. The settlement was established in 1865 by Mormon pioneers who attempted to farm the fertile but flood-prone bottomlands along the river. The name derives from the Paiute word meaning "muddy water" or "elk water." Persistent flooding led to the community's abandonment by the early 1900s.

The site gained renewed attention in the 1940s when it was used as a filming location for Western movies. A replica ghost town movie set was constructed in the 1970s, featuring false-front buildings that appeared in numerous films and television productions. This set became a popular tourist attraction until it was destroyed by a flash flood in 2006. The remnants were removed, and the site was intentionally not rebuilt.

Today, Paria is part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Access is via a graded dirt road from U.S. Highway 89. Visitors can view the foundations of original structures, the Paria River, and the dramatic canyon landscape. The nearby Paria Contact Station provides information about the area's geology, history, and hiking opportunities, including the renowned Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.