Road Conditions

Contact district visitor centers for current conditions before beginning any backcountry trip.

You may need a permit to drive on some park roads.

Rain and snow can quickly change unpaved roads to four-wheel-drive condition or make them impassable. Weather

 

Backcountry Travel Advisory

Backcountry driving conditions can change rapidly after rain or snow. Most backcountry roads in Canyonlands require high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles with a low range gear (4LO).

All drivers should carry the following items:

• At least one full-size spare tire
• Extra gas
• Extra water
• Shovel
• High-lift jack
• Chains for all four tires (especially from October through April)

Drive Carefully!

Visitors caught in the backcountry with disabled vehicles can expect commercial towing fees in excess of $1,000.

 

 

Island in the Sky

Updated November 19, 2024

• Scenic Drive: Open.
• Shafer Trail: Open. AWD recommended. Use caution.
• Potash Road: Open. AWD recommended. Some washouts before park boundary. Expect rough conditions and mud after any precipitation.
• Mineral Bottom: Open. Mud and standing water possible after storms; 4WD recommended.
• White Rim Road 4WD: Open. High clearance 4WD required. Expect rough conditions due to recent precipitation.
• Taylor Canyon 4WD Road: Open. High clearance, 4WD required. Expect rough conditions due to recent precipitation.
• Lathrop 4WD Road: Open. High clearance 4WD required. Accessible with deep sand in places. Flooding may occur in the day use area.

Even when rated as "passable," four-wheel-drive roads are challenging. High-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) are required on the White Rim Road. Other vehicles (e.g., all-wheel-drive vehicles, and low-clearance or high-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicles) have difficulty navigating the rough slickrock, loose rocks, deep sand, and steep switchbacks and are not permitted upon the White Rim Road. Vehicles higher than 9' 6" not recommended in order to clear overhangs. Permits are required on the White Rim Road.

Carry extra fuel and be prepared to self-rescue. During winter, all vehicles should carry chains.

 

The Needles

Updated November 4, 2024

Front Country:

• UT-211/191 to Dugout: Open
• UT-211 from Dugout to Park Boundary: Open
• Main Park Road (including campground loops): Open
• Elephant Hill Access Road: Open

Backcountry:

• Beef Basin Road/Bridger Jack Road/CR-107: Open. High clearance AWD/4WD recommended to reach Cathedral Butte Trailhead.
• Colorado River Overlook Road: Open
• Elephant Hill 4WD: Open; high clearance 4WD vehicles are required and all drivers must be prepared to self-rescue.
• Salt Creek / Horse Canyon: Wet and muddy but passable; high clearance 4WD vehicles are required.
• Peekaboo Road: Passable; high clearance 4WD vehicles are required.
• Lavender & Davis canyons: Likely wet and muddy but passable; high clearance 4WD required after park boundary gate.

Even when rated as "passable," four-wheel-drive roads in The Needles are challenging. High-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) are required on these roads. Other vehicles (e.g., all-wheel-drive vehicles, and low-clearance or high-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicles) cannot navigate the rough slickrock, loose rocks, steep ledges, deep sand, and steep switchbacks. Depending on the season, you can expect ice, up to two feet of water, quicksand, vegetation or rock outcrops that could scratch a vehicle, or debris that you must negotiate while staying within the boundary of the road. We recommend traveling in groups of two or more vehicles—both with winches—in order to facilitate self-rescue. Park rangers do not winch vehicles out. Do not attempt any roads if there is a forecast for heavy rains, which lead to flash flooding. Never cross flooded roads.

You must have a permit on some Needles roads.

 

The Maze

Updated November 4, 2024

• Highway 24 to Hans Flat: High-clearance 4WD recommended due to sand ridges in the road and minor erosion features. Low clearance vehicles not recommended.
• Highway 24 to Horseshoe Canyon: High-clearance 4WD recommended due to sand ridges in the road, minor erosion features, and washboards. Low clearance vehicles not recommended.
• Green River to Hans Flat or Horseshoe Canyon: High clearance AWD/4WD recommended due to sandy stretches and rocky outcrops. Highway 24 is a faster route.
• Hans Flat to top of Flint Trail 4WD Road: High clearance 4WD required due to rocky outcrops.
• Flint Trail 4WD Road: High clearance 4WD required.
• Poison Spring 4WD Road: Passable to high clearance 4WD vehicles.
• Hite to Waterhole Flat: High clearance 2WD/AWD. No services available at Hite.

Maze roads are challenging and visitors must be prepared with the proper equipment to facilitate self-rescue. Visitors should carry extra supplies in case it takes a day or two for the road to dry out. Cell phone communication is not reliable. Park rangers do not winch vehicles out. Commercial towing fees below the Flint Trail start at over $2,000. Roads rated 4WD must have 4WD with a low range gear (4LO) and high clearance. Other vehicles (e.g., all-wheel-drive vehicles, and low-clearance or high-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicles) cannot navigate the rough slickrock, steep ledges, loose rocks, deep sand, and steep switchbacks.