Road Conditions

Contact district visitor centers for current conditions before beginning any backcountry trip.

You may need a permit to drive on some park roads.

Rain and snow can quickly change unpaved roads to four-wheel-drive condition or make them impassable. Weather

 

Backcountry Travel Advisory

Backcountry driving conditions can change rapidly after rain or snow. Most backcountry roads in Canyonlands require high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles with a low range gear (4LO).

All drivers should carry the following items:

• At least one full-size spare tire
• Extra gas
• Extra water
• Shovel
• High-lift jack
• Chains for all four tires (especially from October through April)

Drive Carefully!

Visitors caught in the backcountry with disabled vehicles can expect commercial towing fees in excess of $1,000.

 

 

Island in the Sky

Updated March 22, 2023

• Scenic Drive: Open.
• Shafer Trail: Closed due to icy conditions.
• Potash Road: Open. Sections of mud present. High-clearance 4WD recommended.
• Mineral Bottom: Open. High-clearance 4WD recommended after any precipitation or snow accumulation.
• White Rim Road 4WD: Open. Be prepared for winter road conditions (snow, ice, and mud). Exercise caution and expect more difficult than normal driving conditions due to washouts. Advanced recovery techniques and skills likely required such as recovery boards, winching, rock stacking, etc. Be prepared to self-rescue, turn around, or drive out-and-back to reach your campsite. Driving after dark is dangerous so give yourself ample time to negotiate this difficult terrain.
• Taylor Canyon 4WD Road: Open.
• Lathrop 4WD Road: Open.
• Long Canyon 4WD Road: Open. Sections of mud present.

Even when rated as "passable," four-wheel-drive roads are challenging. High-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) are required on the White Rim Road. Other vehicles (e.g., all-wheel-drive vehicles, and low-clearance or high-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicles) have difficulty negotiating the rough slickrock, loose rocks, deep sand, and steep switchbacks and are not permitted upon the White Rim Road. Vehicles higher than 9' 6" not recommended in order to clear overhangs. Permits are required on the White Rim Road.

Carry extra fuel and be prepared to self-rescue. During winter, all vehicles should carry chains.

 

The Needles

Updated March 24, 2023
Trailers are not advised.

Front Country:

• UT-211/191 to Dugout: Open. 4WD Recommended after any snow accumulation.
• UT-211 from Dugout to Park Boundary: Open. 4WD Recommended after any snow accumulation.
• Main Park Road to Campground Road: Open.
• Campground Loop A: Open.
• Salt Flat Road to Cave Springs: Open.
• Cave Springs Access Road: Open. 4WD Recommended after any snow accumulation.
• Main Park Road from Campground Road to Big Spring Overlook: Open.
• Elephant Hill Access Road: Open. AWD/4WD recommended when road is muddy or wet.

Backcountry:

• Colorado River Overlook Road: Open. Expect mud in areas.
• Elephant Hill 4WD: Open. Expect mud in areas.
• Salt Creek / Horse Canyon: Closed.
• Lavender Canyon: Closed.

Even when rated as "passable," four-wheel-drive roads in The Needles are challenging. High-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) are required on these roads. Other vehicles (e.g., all-wheel-drive vehicles, and low-clearance or high-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicles) cannot navigate the rough slickrock, loose rocks, steep ledges, deep sand, and steep switchbacks. Depending on the season, you can expect ice, up to two feet of water, quicksand, vegetation or rock outcrops that could scratch a vehicle, or debris that you must negotiate while staying within the boundary of the road. We recommend traveling in groups of two or more vehicles—both with winches—in order to facilitate self-rescue. Park rangers do not winch vehicles out. Do not attempt any roads if there is a forecast for heavy rains, which lead to flash flooding. Never cross flooded roads.

You must have a permit on some Needles roads.

 

The Maze

Updated March 20, 2023

• Highway 24 to Hans Flat: Passable to high clearance 4WD vehicles; chains strongly recommended. Expect challenging driving conditions after any snow or rain.
• Highway 24 to Horseshoe Canyon: Passable to high clearance AWD vehicles after recent grading.
• Green River to Hans Flat or Horseshoe Canyon: Unknown; most likely snow covered and muddy in areas.
• Hans Flat to top of Flint Trail 4WD Road: Impassable due to deep snow and extreme winter weather conditions.
• Flint Trail 4WD Road: Impassable because covered in deep snow and ice.
• Poison Spring 4WD Road: Impassable due to deep snow and extreme winter weather conditions.
• Hite to Waterhole Flat: Unknown; may be impassable due to snow and mud.

Maze roads are challenging and visitors must be prepared with the proper equipment to facilitate self-rescue. Visitors should carry extra supplies in case it takes a day or two for the road to dry out. Cell phone communication is not reliable. Park rangers do not winch vehicles out. Commercial towing fees below the Flint Trail start at over $2,000. Roads rated 4WD must have 4WD with a low range gear (4LO) and high clearance. Other vehicles (e.g., all-wheel-drive vehicles, and low-clearance or high-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicles) cannot navigate the rough slickrock, steep ledges, loose rocks, deep sand, and steep switchbacks.

 

Closure and Detour Maps

Below you'll find maps of detours associated with current road closures. See above for details on specific closures and road conditions.

There are no closures or associated detours at this time.