Permits & Reservations

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Backcountry Permits and Reservations

Day-Use Permits

You must have a day-use permit for four-wheel-drive, motorcycle, and bicycle travel on:

• White Rim Road (Island in the Sky district)
• Elephant Hill, Lavender Canyon, and Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads (Salt Creek Area, The Needles district)

All day use permits open at 8 am mountain time the day before the trip.

Overnight Permits

You must have an overnight backcountry permit for all overnight trips into the backcountry. Permit reservations can be very competetive.

• All backcountry overnight permits become available on a seasonal basis, four months before the start of the season.
  • Spring permits (March 10 – June 9) open November 10.
  • Summer permits (June 10 – September 9) open February 10.
  • Fall permits (September 10 – December 9) open May 10.
  • Winter permits (December 10 – March 9) open August 10.

Reservations open at 8 am mountain time.

River Permits

All day and overnight trips on the rivers require a river permit.

Academic institutions may conduct flatwater and whitewater river trips under a special-use permit.

Horseback Riding, and Pack- and Stock-Use Permits

All pack- and saddle-stock use requires a permit.

Needles Campground Reservations

To make a reservation, visit Recreation.gov, or call 877-444-6777, 877-833-6777 (TDD), or [phone] (International).

Individual Sites

• You can reserve individual campsites in Loop B of the Needles campground in spring and fall.

Group Sites

• You can make a reservation for group campsites in The Needles from March 15 to November 15.

Special Use Permits

Gatherings and commercial activities in national parks often require a special use permit. Permits ensure the protection of the park's natural and cultural resources, as well as minimize conflicts between park visitors and your guests.You need a permit for:

• academic river trips

• commercial filming and photography

• First Amendment actions

• memorialization (scattering of ashes)

• special events

• weddings

Sample Acknowledgement of Risk Form
Special Use Permit holders may not require clients to sign a waiver of liability statement or form, insurance disclaimer and/or indemnification agreement. They may request or require clients to sign an acknowledgement of risk statement or form prior to participation. You can download a sample. [23k PDF]

Commercial Use

If you are a commercial outfitter or tour group leading guided trips into the park, you must obtain a Commercial Use Authorization.