Paria

Paria is a ghost town in Kane County, Utah, set in a valley surrounded by colorful rock cliffs in shades of red, orange, purple, and grey. Old brick buildings stand against the cliff base, while a cemetery with about 20 graves marks early settlers who lived here.

The settlement was founded in 1865 by a Mormon group and originally called Rockhouse before moving upstream to Pahreah in 1870. Heavy flooding between 1883 and 1888, followed by mining attempts in 1911, led to its decline, with the last resident leaving in 1929.

The name Paria comes from the Paiute language and means muddy or elk river. The settlement today shows traces of its importance as an early Mormon community and later as a film location, with ruins and a cemetery speaking to the efforts of those who lived here before.

Access is by a gravel road that is passable for most vehicles under normal conditions but can become difficult during rain or flooding. Visitors should bring water and sturdy shoes, as there are no facilities nearby and the terrain is uneven.

The site was used as a film location starting in the 1940s, with the 1961 western Sergeants 3 shot here, creating confusion between the real town ruins and the fake movie set built nearby. This connection to film history turned the spot into a symbol of how history and Hollywood intertwine in southern Utah.