Canyonlands National Park
Grand View Point Closed for Construction Weekdays July 28 through September
Grand View Point Overlook, Grand View Point Trail, and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) of park road is closed Monday to Thursday. The closure applies to all uses, including vehicles, tour buses, motorcycles, bikes, & hikers. Parking is open but limited Friday to Sunday.
Difficult Conditions Complicate Cataract Canyon Takeouts
Hite Ramp is closed. The North Wash take-out is a primitive, unimproved dirt take-out. You will not be able to back a trailer down the dirt slope. Recent washouts have further deteriorated conditions.
Expect Long Lines at Island in the Sky Entrance
Between March and November, particularly on busy holiday weekends, you may experience long lines at the entrance road. Parking lots at popular trailheads and viewpoints will fill early. Pack your patience and arrive early to avoid crowds.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect
Fires are allowed only in designated fire grates in developed campgrounds & picnic areas, or charcoal in metal fire pans in the river corridor. (Remove all ash.) Smoking is allowed only inside cars or at paved areas. Fireworks are always prohibited.
Overview
Canyonlands National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day, with no current major closures. The park is divided into four distinct districts—Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the Rivers—carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers, with no roads connecting them. As of winter 2024-2025, the Island in the Sky Visitor Center operates daily 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (December through March), closing early on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, and fully closed Christmas Day. The Needles Visitor Center closed for winter on December 7, 2024, and will reopen February 13, 2025; backcountry and day-use permits are available via self-registration at the visitor center porch. Campgrounds remain open throughout winter, and entrance fees are still collected. The Maze District remains the most remote and challenging, requiring 4WD and extensive planning. Winter visitors should note that trails can become icy in shaded areas, traction devices are recommended, and all visitor services (lodging, food, fuel) are unavailable within the park—come fully equipped. The desert remains extremely dry even in winter, so carry ample water. Law enforcement staff remain on duty year-round.
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