Backcountry Travel Planner

Choose Your Adventure

Wondering what you can do in the Canyonlands backcountry? This is the page for you. To have a safe and enjoyable trip, you will need to prepare and plan ahead. Use this page to plan your trip, learn about safety and regulations, and get a permit.

Canyonlands National Park is an expansive natural landscape that invites exploration. People come from all over the world to explore the canyons, mesas, rivers, and wilderness in the park. The Green and Colorado rivers divide the park into four major districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. Use this backcountry planner to find the best trip for you.

Things to Do

Maps

Not sure about where you want to go? Take a look at these district roads and trails guides. Look up road and trail distances, and find locations of campsites and backcountry zones.

Island in the Sky Roads and Trails

The Needles Roads and Trails

The Maze and Orange Cliffs Roads and Trails

Who Needs a Permit?

Four-wheel-drive vehicle, bicycle, or motorcycle permits are required for:

• Day-use travel on the White Rim, Elephant Hill, Peekaboo/Horse Canyon, and Lavender Canyon roads.
• All overnight trips.

Backpacking permits are required for:

• All overnight backpacking trips.

River permits are required for:

• All overnight river trips.
• Day-use travel through Cataract Canyon.
• Backpackers camping within a half mile of the river, or using a packraft to travel more than two miles on the river.

Regulations

You are responsible for knowing and following these regulations on your backcountry trip.

General Backcountry Regulations

River Regulations

Horse and Pack Regulations

Toilet Requirements
for all river trips, all Maze vehicle campsites, New Bates Wilson campsite, Peekaboo campsite