NPS/Neal Herbert
Visiting in Winter
|
Winter in Canyonlands Winter is a quiet time at Canyonlands. You can avoid crowds and the heat of summer, but visitor services are reduced. You will need to be more self-reliant when visiting Canyonlands in winter. Read more about what to expect in each park district for your winter visit. Jump to Island in the Sky | The Needles | The Maze NPS/Neal Herbert Island in the Sky Visitor Center The visitor center is closed from late December to early March. In case of emergencies, use the pay phone outside the visitor center. Rangers are on duty in the area. Water There is no water at Island in the Sky. You should bring all the water you will need for your visit. Goods and Services There is no gas, food, or lodging at Island in the Sky. There are toilets at the visitor center and at various overlooks. Read more about Goods and Services. Trail Conditions Sandstone covered with snow and ice is treacherous, and snow can quickly cover cairns, making trails difficult to follow. Snow and ice may remain in shady spots. We recommend instep crampons or other traction aids. Road Conditions Paved roads may close temporarily after snow while crews plow. Unpaved backcountry roads may be impassible for longer periods of time. More about road conditions. What about roads outside the park? Camping The campground at Willow Flat is open, first-come, first-served, during the winter. Backcountry Permits Even if the visitor center is closed, you must have a backcountry permit for all overnight travel in the backcountry, and for day-use trips on the White Rim Road. When the visitor center is closed, you must reserve your permit online two days or more before your trip. You can also get a permit at the Central Reservation Office in Moab. You will not be able to get a backcountry permit in person at Island in the Sky. Weather Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F (-1 to 10 C), and lows averaging 0 to 20 F (-17 to -6 C). Though large snowfalls are uncommon (except in nearby mountains), even small amounts of snow or ice can make local trails and roads impassable. Webcam Check out conditions on the ground with the Island in the Sky webcam. This webcam is maintained offsite by the US Geological Survey as part of a dust monitoring project. NPS/Alicia LaFever The Needles Visitor Center The Needles Visitor Center is closed from late November to early March. In case of emergencies, use the pay phone outside the visitor center. Rangers are on duty in the area. Water You can get water only at The Needles Visitor Center. There is no water at the campground. We recommend that you bring all the water you will need for your visit. Goods and Services There is no gas, food, or lodging at The Needles. There are toilets at the visitor center, campground, and Elephant Hill trailhead parking area. Read more about Goods and Services. Trail Conditions Sandstone covered with snow and ice is treacherous, and snow can quickly cover cairns, making trails difficult to follow. Snow and ice may remain in shady spots. We recommend instep crampons or other traction aids. Road Conditions Paved roads may close temporarily after snow while crews plow. Unpaved backcountry roads may be impassible for longer periods of time. More about road conditions. What about roads outside the park? Camping The campground at Squaw Flat is open, first-come, first-served, during the winter. Backcountry Permits Even if the visitor center is closed, you must have a backcountry permit for all overnight travel in the backcountry, and for day-use trips on Elephant Hill Road. (Lavender Canyon and Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads, which also require day-use permits, are impassible in winter.) When the visitor center is closed, you can only get a permit at the self-issue permit station outside The Needles Visitor Center. Weather Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F (-1 to 10 C), and lows averaging 0 to 20 F (-17 to -6 C). Though large snowfalls are uncommon (except in nearby mountains), even small amounts of snow or ice can make local trails and roads impassable. Get a seven-day forecast for The Needles.
The Maze Ranger Station The Hans Flat Ranger Station open daily 8 am - 4:30 pm. Water There is no water in The Maze. You should bring all the water you will need for your visit. Goods and Services There is no gas, food, or lodging at The Maze. Read more about Goods and Services. Trail Conditions Sandstone covered with snow and ice is treacherous, and snow can quickly cover cairns, making trails difficult to follow. Snow and ice may remain in shady spots. We recommend instep crampons or other traction aids. Road Conditions Roads at The Maze may be impassible after snow for long periods of time. More about road conditions. What about roads outside the park? Backcountry Permits You must have a permit for all overnight travel in the backcountry. Weather Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F (-1 to 10 C), and lows averaging 0 to 20 F (-17 to -6 C). Though large snowfalls are uncommon (except in nearby mountains), even small amounts of snow or ice can make local trails and roads impassable. |
Last updated: January 6, 2017