Canyonlands National Park Overnight Backcountry Permits

Overview

Itinerary-based backcountry permit for Canyonlands National Park. You build a night-by-night campsite itinerary from ~86 designated sites and at-large zones across four districts: Island in the Sky (White Rim Road 4WD/mountain bike + backpacking below the mesa), The Needles (4WD roads + 60+ miles of backpacking trails -- Salt Creek, Chesler Park, Elephant Canyon), Maze/Orange Cliffs (extremely remote 4WD + primitive backpacking), and Packraft (foot-access flatwater river corridor). Permit required year-round for all overnight backcountry stays. Max stay 14 consecutive nights.

Bottom Line

This is a seasonal FCFS system -- no lottery. Permits release 4 months in advance by season at 8:00 AM MT on the opening date. Peak season (Mar--May, Oct) for White Rim Road and Needles backpacking sells out fast on opening day. White Rim is the single most competitive itinerary -- a 2--4 night 4WD/bike loop with limited designated camps that must be booked as a contiguous sequence. Needles backpacking (Chesler Park, Salt Creek) is the next hardest. Maze sites are less competitive due to extreme remoteness and difficulty. Advance reservations close 3 days before the trip start date; after that, unreserved permits move to in-station only at Island in the Sky Visitor Center, Needles Visitor Center, Hans Flat Ranger Station, or the Backcountry Permit Office. Cancellations return to recreation.gov -- the $5/person/night fee is refundable if cancelled 3+ days out, so sites do trickle back. Midweek starts, summer dates (extreme heat), and winter dates have the best availability.

Reservation Schedule

Seasonal FCFS release, all at 8:00 AM MT on opening day:

• Mar 10 -- Jun 9: opens Nov 10
• Jun 10 -- Sep 9: opens Feb 10
• Sep 10 -- Dec 9: opens May 10
• Dec 10 -- Mar 9: opens Aug 10

Advance reservations close 3 days before trip start. Remaining inventory moves to in-station walk-up. Zone permits, packraft permits, and Maze site permits require manual review -- park staff will contact you at canyres@nps.gov after booking. All other permits are issued 7 days before upon staff approval.

Fees

• $36 non-refundable reservation fee per permit (includes $6 recreation.gov fee)
• $5/person/night camping fee
• Cancel 3+ days before start: $5/night fees refunded, $36 reservation fee kept
• Cannot change entry date -- must cancel and rebook (all fees apply)
• Separate park entrance fee required for Island in the Sky and Needles districts

Group Size and Vehicles

Limits vary by district and activity:

• Backpacking: max 7 people per permit (all districts)
• 4WD/Mountain Bike -- Island in the Sky: max 15 people / 3 vehicles
• 4WD/Mountain Bike -- Needles: max 10 people / 3 vehicles
• 4WD/Mountain Bike -- Maze: max 9 people / 3 vehicles
• Vehicle count includes motorcycles and trailers. AWD, ATVs, UTVs, and OHVs not allowed -- high-clearance low-range 4WD required
• White Rim Road: 10 ft max vehicle height (rock overhangs)

Rules

• Camp only within boundaries of your reserved site/zone on the date specified
• At-large zones require route-finding skills and are NOT a backup for vehicle camping -- must camp 1+ mile from roads on low-impact surfaces like slickrock
• No wood fires. Charcoal in a firepan allowed at vehicle sites only (pack out residue)
• Bear canisters required at Salt Creek campsites, Salt Creek/Horse Canyon Zone, and Peekaboo campsites. Highly recommended in Chesler Park
• Human waste bags required at all designated backpack campsites. Washable/reusable toilet systems required at all Maze vehicle sites and Peekaboo/New Bates Wilson sites
• No pets in the backcountry (even in vehicles)
• Water is the primary limiting factor -- plan 1 gallon (4L) per person per day. Most trips average 2 nights due to lack of reliable water sources
• Permit must be carried (printed or mobile). Trip leader and alternate leader cannot be changed after booking