Timed entry reservations are not required to enter Canyonlands National Park.
Canyonlands National Park is cut into three land districts by the Green and Colorado rivers. Island in the Sky, in the north of the park, is about 40 minutes from Moab, UT via UT 313. The Needles district is in the southeast corner of Canyonlands, about 90 minutes from Moab or an hour from Monticello, UT via UT 211. The Maze district, in the west of the park, is the most remote and challenging; its ranger station is down 46 miles of dirt road from UT 24. All roads in The Maze require high-clearance 4WD.
Canyonlands National Park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Canyonlands is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F.
Entrance Fee (Standard Entrance Pass)
Type
Dates
Cost
Private Vehicle
Year-round
$30.00
Motorcycle
Year-round
$25.00
Per Person
Year-round
$15.00
Other Entrance Passes
Type
Cost
Annual Park Pass
$55.00
Each district of the park has its own visitor center or ranger station, which operates on its own schedule.
The Island in the Sky Visitor Center offers exhibits, book & map sales, park orientation film, backcountry permits, general information, vault toilets, and park rangers on duty. You can get drinking water inside (during open hours) or outside (24 hours a day) during summer and fall. Water is only available inside (during open hours) in winter.
Every Day:8:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Island in the Sky visitor center is normally open daily year-round with reduced hours in late fall, winter, and early spring. It closes early on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and is closed for Christmas Day (December 25). Hours vary with the season.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Late Spring
April 13–May 3
Every Day:8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Late Fall
November 23–November 30
Sunday-Wednesday:8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Thursday:8:00 AM–1:00 PM
Friday and Saturday:8:00 AM–4:00 PM
The visitor center is open seven days a week from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, but only a half day on Thanksgiving Day (November 28).
Winter/Spring Hours
December 1–April 12
Every Day:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
In the off-season, the visitor center is open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, except a half day on December 24 and closed on December 25.
Christmas Eve/Christmas Day
December 24–December 25
Sunday-Tuesday:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Wednesday:9:00 AM–1:00 AM
Thursday:Closed
Friday and Saturday:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
In December, the visitor center is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, just a half day on Christmas Eve (December 24), and closed on Christmas Day (December 25).
The Needles Visitor Center normally offers exhibits, book & map sales, backcountry permits, information, picnic area, and park rangers on duty. The park orientation movie (15 minutes) is available on demand. Water is available year-round.
When the visitor center is closed in winter, you must self-register for backcountry permits outside the visitor center entrance.
Every Day:8:00 AM–5:00 PM
The Needles Visitor Center is normally open daily spring through fall. It is closed from mid-December to mid-February. Early spring and late fall hours may be shorter. Bathrooms remain open and water is available year-round. Information boards outside the building help you plan your visit.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Early Spring Hours
February 13–April 12
Every Day:8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Late Fall/Early Winter Hours
October 26–December 7
Every Day:8:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Needles Visitor Center is open daily through early December. Water fountains and restrooms are available 24 hours a day.
Winter Closure
December 8–February 12
Every Day:Closed
The Needles Visitor Center closes from mid-December through mid-February.
The remote Hans Flat (Maze) Ranger Station is normally open daily year-round. This ranger contact station has a picnic table and vault toilet, and a small selection of books and maps for sale. There are no services, food, gas, trash collection, electricity for visitor use, nor potable water in The Maze. The nearest communities with amenities are Hanksville (68 miles) and Green River (86 miles).
Every Day:8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Hans Flat Ranger Station is open to the public 8 am to 3 pm daily. Rangers are available for emergencies each day from 7:30 am to 5 pm.
The central backcountry office is located at park administrative offices south of Moab. Rangers can answer questions about backcountry travel over phone or email and issue permits online.
Closed today
Sunday:Closed
Monday-Friday:8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Saturday:Closed
Rangers are normally available five days a week to answer questions over the phone or email and issue permits online. The office closes for an hour for lunch every day (typically 12-1 pm) and backcountry permits are not issued after 4 pm. The backcountry office may close when rangers are needed to respond to emergency search and rescue efforts in the park. The backcountry office is closed on federal holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Washington's Birthday.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Memorial Day
May 26, 2025
Closed
Juneteenth National Independence Day
June 19, 2025
Closed
Independence Day
July 4, 2025
Closed
Labor Day
September 1, 2025
Closed
Columbus Day
October 13, 2025
Closed
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Public WiFi is available.
Island in the Sky and The Needles visitor centers may have public, unsecured WiFi available. Outages are possible. There is no WiFi service at Hans Flat Ranger Station. You may not charge electrical devices in outlets at any visitor center.
Cellular service is limited in the park. There may be limited service in areas of the Island in the Sky and Maze districts where the La Sal Mountains are visible. There is little to no service at The Needles, on the rivers, or anywhere in the backcountry.
Canyonlands National Park is open year-round. Canyonlands is Utah's largest national park, with 337,598 acres of land and water ready to be explored. The Green and Colorado rivers split the park into three major districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze.
There are no roads within the park that cross the rivers to directly link any of Canyonlands' districts. Though they may appear close on a map, traveling between districts requires two to six hours by car. Most people find it impractical to visit more than one or two districts in a single trip.
Canyonlands is a remote area with few services. You should plan on bringing everything you'll need during your trip. Check this page for the basic information about the park.
Operating Hours & Seasons
The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, but some facilities may close during the winter season.
Current Conditions
Check here for details on current park conditions, including four-wheel-drive roads.
Permits & Reservations
Some activities, like backcountry travel, river trips, commercial filming, and special events require a permit.
Weather
The weather can change quickly. You should be prepared for a variety of conditions. Check here for information on what weather you should expect.
Pets
Pets are welcome in the park, but there are limits on where you can take them.
Goods & Services
You won't find many services here; it's best to bring what you'll need for your visit.
Last updated: March 15, 2023
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