White Rim Road Now Open

The newly repaired Mineral Switchbacks.

NPS Photo by Skyler Penrod

News Release Date: March 29, 2011

Contact: Backcountry Reservation Office, 435-259-4351

The Mineral Bottom road is now open and passable, making a full White Rim loop possible for the first time since last August. The Canyonlands reservation office is now accepting permit applications for White Rim trips through the end of 2011.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Road work along the White Rim Road will continue for many weeks. Visitors may experience short delays.

HISTORY

On August 19th, 2010, severe storms caused flash flooding and rock falls that blocked or washed away roads throughout the Canyonlands area. One of the more dramatic washouts occurred on the Mineral Bottom Road switchbacks (see photos at the bottom of the page), where significant portions of the road were obliterated. This damage caused the closure of the road, affecting anyone attempting to travel the White Rim Road in a loop or planning river trips that launch or take-out at Mineral Bottom.

Planning a visit to the backcountry?

If you are planning a trip to the park that involves backcountry travel by vehicle, please contact district visitor centers for the most up-to-date conditions:

Island in the Sky District Visitor Center: [phone]
Needles District Visitor Center: [phone]
Maze District Ranger Station: [phone]

Other Questions?

Reservation Office staff are available to answer questions and assist with trip planning weekdays:

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Send an email...