NPS/Jacob W. Frank
Basic Information
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Welcome to Canyonlands
Canyonlands National Park is cut into three districts by the Green and Colorado rivers. Island in the Sky district, in the north of the park, is the closest district to Moab, UT. In about 40 minutes, you can reach Island in the Sky via UT 313. The Needles district is in the southeast corner of Canyonlands. The Needles is about an hour's drive from Monticello, UT via UT 211. The Maze district, in the west of the park, is the most remote and challenging. You can reach The Maze via unpaved roads from UT 24. Canyonlands is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F. Entrance Fees:Private Vehicle - $25.00 Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants. Motorcycle - $15.00 Admits a private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders. Per Person - $10.00 Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free. Entrance Passes:Southeast Utah Parks Annual Pass - $50.00 Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments.
The Needles Visitor Center
The visitor center is open daily, spring through fall. The visitor center is closed on Thanksgiving Day and from late November to early March. Features include: exhibits, book and map sales, backcountry permits, general information, picnic area, and park rangers on duty. Water is available year-round. Orientation Movie, "Wilderness of Rock" (15 minutes) is shown on request at the visitor center.
Island in the Sky Visitor Center
The visitor center is open daily, spring through fall. The visitor center is closed from late December to early March. Features include: exhibits, book and map sales, backcountry permits, general information, and park rangers on duty. You can get drinking water outside the visitor center spring through fall. We show a 15-minute orientation movie, "Wilderness of Rock," on request at the visitor center. There are vault toilets at the visitor center.
Hans Flat Ranger Station
The remote Hans Flat (Maze) Ranger Station is open daily year-round. There is a small sales area with books and maps. There are no services, food, gas, or potable water sources in the Maze district. These are located in Hanksville (68 miles), or Green River (86 miles). Canyonlands National Park is open year-round. Canyonlands is Utah's largest national park, with 337,598 acres of land and water ready to be explored. The Green and Colorado rivers split the park into three major districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze. There are no roads within the park that cross the rivers to directly link any of Canyonlands' districts. Though they may appear close on a map, traveling between districts requires two to six hours by car. Most people find it impractical to visit more than one or two districts in a single trip. Canyonlands is a remote area with few services. You should plan on bringing everything you'll need during your trip. Check this page for the basic information about the park. Operating Hours & Seasons Fees & Passes Current Conditions Permits & Reservations Weather Pets Goods & Services |
Last updated: April 20, 2017