News Release

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks Announce 2017-2018 Winter Visitor Center Hours and Closures

Date: November 20, 2017
Contact: Mary Wilson, 435-719-2140

Arches and Canyonlands national parks are open all year, but the park’s visitor center operations change with the arrival of winter.

Arches Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. this winter, except for Christmas Day when it will be closed.

The Needles Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park will close for the winter Saturday, November 25, 2017 and will reopen in early March of 2018.

Island in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park will be closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. It will close for the winter on Sunday, December 31, 2017, and reopen in early March of 2018.

Law enforcement staff will remain on duty in both parks throughout the winter.

Permits are required for all overnight backcountry use. Park staff recommends that visitors wishing to stay overnight in the Island in the Sky district backcountry make advance reservations (and receive their permit two days or more before their trip) online at: http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm. Permits may also be obtained by visiting the Central Reservation Office at 2282 Resource Blvd. just south of Moab, Utah Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except federal holidays. Information about backcountry use may also be obtained by calling the Central Reservation Office at 435-259-4351.

Visitors wishing to stay overnight in The Needles district backcountry must obtain a permit from the self- registration station located on the front porch of the Needles visitor center. 

Day use permits are required for vehicle and bicycle travel on the Elephant Hill Road in Needles and the White Rim Road in Island in the Sky. Permits for the Elephant Hill Road may be obtained at the self-registration station at the Needles visitor center. Permits for the White Rim Road are only available online 24 hours in advance of travel or the day of travel. Roads may be closed at any time due to unfavorable conditions. 

Visitor services (lodging, food, water, gasoline, etc.) are not available in the parks, so visitors need to be well equipped with all necessities upon arrival.

Additional information about Arches and Canyonlands national parks can be obtained from their official websites at www.nps.gov/arch and www.nps.gov/cany.