Cedar Mesa Backpacking Permits
Bears Ears National Monument (BENM), including areas like Cedar Mesa and Grand Gulch, is a special landscape that contains many cultural and natural resources. Backpackers flock to this region to visit Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites, trek through spectacular canyons, and share public lands with friends and family. If you plan to explore this area on foot as a backpacker, you need to obtain a permit: backpacking permits are required year-round for exploring the canyons of Cedar Mesa.
Cedar Mesa and BENM can be challenging for inexperienced hikers. There are no constructed trails or directional signs along the hiking routes and water availability varies depending on the canyon and the time of year. Stop at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station (open seasonally) to check conditions before you hike. Current conditions information is also available online in the spring and fall when rangers are surveying water and road conditions. As you prepare for your trip, remember to Visit With Respect and Know Before You Go . Many questions about Cedar Mesa are answered on our Frequently Asked Questions page .
Reservations on this site are available for non-commercial backpacking only. Commercial and organized groups (including universities, schools, scouts and clubs) must contact the Monticello Field Office for information on additional Special Recreation Permit requirements. No permits or passes are required for car touring and dispersed camping in Bears Ears National Monument. Vehicles and bicycles must stay on open designated roads and visitors must use established campsites and avoid impacting undisturbed areas.
Permit & Season Information
This permit is for overnight backpacking in the canyons of Cedar Mesa, including: Grand Gulch and its tributaries (Kane Gulch, Bullet Canyon, Collins Canyon, Government Trail), Slickhorn Canyon, Fish and Owl Canyons, Lime Creek, Road Canyon, and Mule Canyon. Permits for hiking to Moon House and day hiking passes can be purchased on their respective recreation.gov pages.
Starting in the spring of 2023, permit check-in requirements have been reinstated. Your permit is not valid until you meet in person with a BLM Park Ranger. To get your permit validated, print one copy of your permit and visit the Kane Gulch Ranger Station or the Monticello Field Office. A ranger will speak with you about archeological site etiquette , provide current conditions , and go over details of your trip with you. Permit validation is not required in the summer and winter; see "Important Dates" below for more information.
Need to Know
General Rules & Regulations
- By accepting this permit, I certify that I have watched the Cedar Mesa Visit With Respect video .
- Maximum group size is 12 people.
- Cultural Resources including structures, artifacts, and all other remains, whether at an archaeological site or isolated, must not be disturbed. Moving or disturbing cultural artifacts from any location is a violation of federal law.
- Pack it in, Pack it out for all trash and garbage.
- Fires are prohibited in the canyons of Cedar Mesa. Camp stoves (e.g., canister or liquid fuel) are allowed.
- Washing, bathing, or swimming is not permitted in or near natural water sources such as springs, streams, and potholes.
- Using rock-climbing equipment to access archaeological sites is not allowed. Using a safety rope as an aid along a hiking route is permissible.
- Bicycles and motorized vehicles must stay on designated roads.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS)/drones are prohibited in the canyons of Cedar Mesa.
- Disposal of human waste is not permitted within 200 feet of a water source, trail, or campsite. Human waste will be deposited in a “cat hole” (6 inches deep) and covered with soil. Toilet paper must be carried out; it cannot be burned nor buried.
- Pets are not permitted in Grand Gulch, Slickhorn Canyon, nor their tributaries. Where pets are permitted they must be kept on a leash at all time and kept out of springs, potholes and other natural water sources. Pets are not allowed at any archeological sites. Pet owners must bury pet waste away from trails, campsites and water sources.
- Camping is permitted in well-used campsites. Do not create new campsites. Camping is not allowed at archeological sites or alcoves. No party may spend more than two consecutive nights at campsites near the Junction, Turkey Pen, or Jail House archeological sites nor the mouth of Bullet Canyon. No camping on the bench area surrounding Split Level Ruin. Backpackers may not camp within one mile of the San Juan River in Grand Gulch or Slickhorn Canyon.
- The permit holder will be held legally and financially responsible for historical, archaeological, cultural, or ecological values damaged, destroyed, or removed by trip participants.
- The permit holder assumes all risk due to acts of nature, including but not limited to hazard trees, flash floods, wildfire, inclement weather, and difficult trail conditions.
- Permits for commercial and organized groups (including universities, schools, scouts, and clubs) or pack stock use must be obtained in advance from the BLM Monticello Field Office. These permits are not available at Kane Gulch Ranger Station, Recreation.gov, or trailheads.
Your Safety
- The Cedar Mesa area within Bears Ears National Monument can be challenging for inexperienced hikers. There are no constructed trails nor directional signs along the hiking routes and water availability varies depending on the canyon and the time of year. Stop at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station (open seasonally) to check conditions before you hike. You may need to pack in all of your drinking water. Please bring the water you will need for your trip prior to arriving at the ranger station.
- Acts of nature present risks which the permit holder assumes. Permits and permit fees are no guarantee against such acts of nature.
Respecting Cultural Resources
- The canyons of Cedar Mesa and Bears Ears National Monument were once home to a remarkable prehistoric people. The remnants of these past residents, including their dwellings, artifacts, petroglyphs and pictographs, are what make the area unique. Unintentional damage caused by visitors is slowly destroying these remnants. Please familiarize yourself with Visit With Respect principles and enjoy these archaeological sites in a manner that will help preserve them for future generations of visitors.
- The use of rock-climbing equipment to access archaeological sites is not allowed. Using a safety rope as an aid along a hiking route is permissible.
- The permit holder will be held legally and financially responsible for historical, archaeological, cultural, or ecological values damaged, destroyed, or removed by trip participants. Cultural artifacts, whether at an archaeological site or isolated, are not to be disturbed. Moving or disturbing cultural artifacts from any location is a violation of federal law.
Fee Policy
Recreation Fee:
Permit fees must be paid at the time the reservation is booked. The following permit fee schedule is in effect:
- Overnight backpacking permit - $15.00 per person/per trip
Reservation Fee:
A $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee is required for all advanced reservation permits.
Cancellation Policy
Refunds
Full refunds of per person recreation fees are available for cancellations and group size reductions made a minimum of 5 days in advance of the entry date. The reservation fee is non-refundable. There are no refunds for cancellations and group size reductions made less than 5 days before the entry date.
Changes
All changes are dependent on availability. Changes to group size, exit date and exit trailhead may be made on this website for no additional fee (except the per person fee when adding to your group). To change your entry trailhead and/or entry date, you must cancel your existing reservation and obtain a new reservation (fee and refund policies apply).
Contact Information
Mailing Address
PO Box 7 Monticello UT 84535
Phone Number
435-587-1500
