Canyonlands National Park Overnight Backcountry Permits
- Part of Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. The park preserves the natural beauty and human history throughout its four districts. While they share a primitive desert atmosphere, each offers different opportunities for wildness and solitude. Though they appear close on a map, no roads directly link the districts. Traveling between them requires two to eight hours by car. There are no locations in the park to cross the river without a boat.
Island in the Sky
The Island in the Sky mesa rests on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet (304 m) above the surrounding terrain. The area offers famous four-wheel driving or mountain biking on the White Rim Road. Challenging backpacking trips can be undertaken below the mesa top. The terrain is a mixture of talus slopes and vast basins without any reliable water sources.
Needles
The Needles offers a more remote backcountry experience. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt the backcountry roads in Needles. There are over 60 miles (97 km) of interconnecting hiking trails with varying levels of backpacking opportunities.
Maze
The Maze is the least accessible district. Due to its extreme remoteness and the difficulty of roads and trails, visitors must be prepared for self-sufficiency and the proper equipment or gear for self-rescue. The four-wheel-drive roads in the Maze are extremely remote, very difficult, technical, and present considerable risk of vehicle damage. Trips in the Maze District should not be attempted by inexperienced drivers. Backpacking routes are very primitive and lead into canyons that look alike and are difficult to identify without a topographic map and excellent navigation skills. Only the most hardy, self-reliant backpackers should attempt trips in the Maze.
Permit & Season Information
An Overnight Backcountry permit allows overnight stays in Canyonlands National Park's backcountry for up to 15 people for up to 14 nights. You will receive the permit after park staff reviews and approves your itinerary.
Please see the "Important Dates" section that follows for dates when overnight backcountry permits become available online.
NOTE: Online reservations close 3 days prior to a trip start date. All unreserved permits are moved to walk - up only. Walk up permits are available at the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, Needles Visitor Center, Hans Flat Ranger Station, or at the Backcountry permit Office at 2282 Resource Blvd., Moab, UT, 84532.
Important Dates
| Dates | Information |
|---|---|
| December 8, 2024 - February 12, 2025 | Needles winter permits available at a self-issue station in front of visitor center. |
| February 10, 2025 | All locations for June 10 to September 9, 2025 available for reservation starting at 8:00 a.m. MST. Reservations close two days prior to a trip start date. |
| May 10, 2025 | All locations for September 10 to December 9, 2025 available for reservation starting at 8:00 a.m. MST. Reservations close two days prior to a trip start date. |
| August 10, 2025 | Island in the Sky and The Maze for December 10, 2025 to March 9, 2026 available for reservation starting at 8:00 a.m. MST. Reservations close two days prior to a trip start date. |
| August 10, 2025 | Needles for February 10, 2026 to March 9, 2026 available for reservation starting at 8:00 a.m. MST. Reservations close two days prior to a trip start date. |
| November 10, 2025 | All locations for March 10, 2026 to June 9, 2026 available for reservation starting at 8:00 a.m. MST. Reservations close two days prior to a trip start date. |
How Does the Quota Work for this Permit?
Each group (1 or more people) MUST have a permit. There are limits on group size and number of vehicles (includes motorcycles and trailers). The permit is valid only for the number of people, dates and locations indicated.
Island in the Sky
- Vehicle sites: 15 people, 3 vehicles
- Backpacking sites: 7 people
The Needles
- Vehicle sites: 10 people, 3 vehicles
- Backpacking sites: 7 people
The Maze
- Vehicle sites: 9 people, 3 vehicles; Flint Seep group site: 16 people, 5 vehicles
- Backpacking sites: 5 people
Zones
- There are several at-large backpacking zones in Canyonlands. The number of groups per night is limited based on each zone's unique characteristics.
- Most are trail-less and require advance planning.
- A permit is required to camp in a zone.
You may camp in Canyonlands up to 14 consecutive nights. Backpackers may stay up to 7 consecutive nights in any campsite or zone. Those in vehicle campsites may stay up to 3 consecutive nights at each site.
