Backcountry Permits

2014 Reservations

Reservations for the 2014 season will be available no more than four months, and no less than two days, prior to the permit start date. View the news release announcing this change.

 

All overnight trips in the backcountry require a permit. In addition, permits are required for horseback riding and four-wheel-drive day use in Horse and Lavender canyons in the Needles District. The Orange Cliffs Unit of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area shares Canyonlands' western boundary and is administered under the same backcountry management plan and permit/reservation system.

If you're planning a river trip, please visit the river permits page.

HOW TO OBTAIN A PERMIT

Backcountry permits are issued seven days a week at district visitor centers and the Hans Flat Ranger Station. Permits can be reserved in advance (see below). Walk-in permits are only available the day before or the day of a trip. Permits are issued up to one hour before the close of business each day. Please review the backcountry regulations before obtaining a permit.

RESERVATIONS

Are reservations necessary?

Reservations are recommended, but not required. Currently, competition is greatest for White Rim trips during the spring and fall and Needles backpacking trips during spring. For these activities, visitors should apply as early as possible. Campsites and permits not reserved in advance are available on a first-come, first-served basis at district visitor centers.

Availability
On a trial basis, the reservation office has begun publishing availability calendars for some of the busier backcountry campsites in Canyonlands.

How to Apply

To apply for a backcountry permit, please download and complete the standard Reservation Form (30k PDF file). A permit will be sent by mail or email once your reservation has been processed. We will contact you If the sites or dates you request are unavailable.

When to Apply

Reservation requests must be made at least two weeks in advance of a trip. The earliest date to apply varies by activity. Reservation requests for backpacking, four-wheel drive/mountain bike and day use trips are accepted (postmarked or faxed) no earlier than the second Monday in July for the following calendar year.

Activity	During	Apply on or after
Backpacking 4WD/Mtn Bike Trips Day use	2013	July 9, 2012
2014 and Beyond Reservations for the 2014 season will be available no more than four months, and no less than two days, prior to the permit start date. View the news release announcing this change.

FEES

Canyonlands charges a nonrefundable reservation fee for each permit. These fees are paid by both walk-ins and visitors making advance reservations.

Activity	Fee	Group Size Limit Per Permit
		Island	Needles	Maze
Backpacking	$30	7p	7p	5p
4WD/Mtn. Bike	$30	15p/3v	10p/3v	9p/3v
4WD Day Use (Needles)	$10	1 vehicle per permit

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On July 9, 2012, Canyonlands began charging $30 for all overnight backcountry permits and group campsite reservations. Four-wheel-drive day use permits increased to $10. For details, view the news release.

Length of Stay

Permits (except day use) can be issued for up to fourteen consecutive nights. Backpackers may stay up to seven consecutive nights in any one site or zone. Visitors using the designated vehicle camps may stay a maximum of three consecutive nights at a camping area before having to relocate.

Questions?

Reservation Office staff are available by phone to answer questions and assist with trip planning Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon (Mountain Time), at [phone]. When workload permits, phones may be answered until 4:00 p.m. Visitors may also email questions.