Maps!
Trails Illustrated Map2 - Canyonlands NP/Needles
Location Information
Location:
Southeast Utah
Address:
2282 S. West Resource Blvd.
Moab, UT 84532-8000
Telephone:
(801) 259-7164
Directions:
Needles District: from U.S. 191 take Utah 211 west to the
Needles.
Island in the Sky District: from U.S. 191 take Utah 313 south to
the Island.
Maze District: from Utah 24 or 95 take two- and then four-wheel
drive routes east to the Maze.
Operating Hours/Seasons
Visitor centers open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., extended hours spring and fall, closed some federal holidays.
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Ten dollars for private vehicle, good for seven days. Golden Age, Eagle, and Access available and honored.
Backcountry permits may be reserved in advance; call (801) 259-4351 for information. Backcountry permit fees: $5.00 for day use in restricted areas, $10.00 for backpacking, $10.00 for flat water, $25.00 for four-wheel drive campsites, $25.00 for Cataract Canyon white water.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Generally pleasant temperatures in spring and fall, cold in winter, very hot in summer.
Facilities and Opportunities
Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Visitor centers at Island in the Sky and Needles districts.
Information center for Maze District at Hans Flat Ranger Station.
Books, maps, and other publications for sale at each location
through the Canyonlands Natural History Association.
Trails, Roads:
Approximately 30 miles of paved roads, more than 100 miles of
established trails, approximately 200 miles of four-wheel drive
roads.
Programs/Activities:
Evening programs, overlook talks, and other walks or talks.
Check at visitor centers for current schedule. Junior Ranger
Program available for children 6-12.
Frontcountry Camping:
Individual Sites for ten or fewer people are first-come, first-served.
Needles District: Squaw Flat Campground, 26 sites, water, vault toilets,
eight dollars a night, no reservations.
Island in the Sky District: Willow Flat Campground, 12 sites, vault
toilets, no fee, no water, no reservations.
Group Campsites:
Group campsite reservations are available for groups of 11 or more people.
Three sites in Needles District. Ten dollar reservation fee plus
$2.00 per person, per night. Call (801) 259-4351 for information.
Food/supplies:
None available in park. Gas, food, and other items available
spring through fall at the Needles Outpost, a private campground
adjacent to the Needles District.
Accessibility:
Island in the Sky is the most accessible area, with
accessible visitor center, rest rooms, and overlooks. Needles
visitor center also accessible.
Recommended Activities/Park Use
Canyonlands is primarily a backcountry destination; visitors come to the park for sightseeing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, four-wheel driving, and river running. Car travelers with limited time may travel on paved roads to a number of overlooks and short nature trails in the Island in the Sky District. The Needles District offers more opportunities for backpackers and hikers. The Maze District is the remote area of the park and requires more time and planning to visit, for both backpackers and four-wheel drivers.
Visitation
Basic Visit Recommendations
Visits may range from half a day to more than a week.
Backcountry users will want to schedule more time to access
remote locations. Spring and fall are the best times to visit,
with May usually the busiest month.
Additional Information
Write Canyonlands National Park Headquarters, 2282 S. West Resource Blvd., Moab, UT 84532-8000, or call (801) 259-7164. Publications available through Canyonlands Natural History Association at (801) 259-6003.
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