Date: December 12, 2014
Contact: Mary Wilson, 435-719-2140
Arches and Canyonlands national parks are open all year, but the parks' visitor center operations change with the arrival of winter.
Arches National Park 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.
Island in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park will be closed starting December 31, 2014 and reopen on Friday, March 6, 2015.
Needles Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park closed for the winter Sunday, November 30, 2014 and will reopen on Friday, March 6, 2015.
Law enforcement staff will remain on duty in Island in the Sky and Needles.
Permits are required for all overnight backcountry use. Visitors wishing to stay overnight at the Island in the Sky district backcountry this winter are strongly encouraged to make advance reservations (and receive their permit two days or more before their trip) online. Permits also may be obtained by calling the Central Reservation Office (435-259-4351) or in person at Park Headquarters located at 2282 S. West Resource Blvd. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except federal holidays.
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 Needles Visitor Center.
Visitor services (lodging, food, water, etc.) are not available in Canyonlands National Park, so visitors to the park need to be well equipped with all necessities.
Additional information about Arches and Canyonlands can be obtained from their official park websites, www.nps.gov/arch and www.nps.gov/cany.
