NPS/Neal Herbert 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. 
NPS/Neal Herbert Winter at Island in the SkyVisitor CenterThe Island in the Sky visitor center will be open 7 days a week
Except:
In case of emergencies, use the pay phone outside the visitor center. Rangers are on duty in the area. WaterWater may be available at Island in the Sky Visitor Center only when the visitor center is open, and there is no water in the campground. Goods and ServicesThere 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 ConditionsSandstone 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 ConditionsPaved 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? CampingThe campground at Willow Flat is open, first-come, first-served, during the winter. Backcountry PermitsEven 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 Backcountry Reservation Office in Moab. 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 Winter at The NeedlesVisitor CenterThe Needles Visitor Center will be open 7 days a week
The visitor center will be closed from December 9 through February 12, reopening on Thursday, February 13th, 2025. Check back for updated hours then. WaterYou 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 ServicesThere 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 ConditionsSandstone 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 ConditionsPaved 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? CampingThe campground is open, first-come, first-served, during the winter. Backcountry PermitsEven 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. When the visitor center is closed, you can only get these permits at the self-issue permit station outside The Needles Visitor Center. Contact the Backcountry Reservation Office for backcountry permits for Peekaboo campsites and day-use trips on Lavender Canyon and Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads. These roads are often impassable in winter. WeatherWinters 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 Canyonlands. 
NPS/Susan Tooch Winter at The MazeRanger StationHans Flat Ranger Station open daily 8 am to 2 pm. The station may be closed intermittendly due to staffing limits. WaterThere is no water in The Maze. You should bring all the water you will need for your visit. Goods and ServicesThere is no gas, food, or lodging at The Maze. Read more about Goods and Services. Trail ConditionsSandstone 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 ConditionsRoads at The Maze may be impassible after snow for long periods of time. More about road conditions. What about roads outside the park? Backcountry PermitsYou must have a permit for all overnight travel in the backcountry. WeatherWinters 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: December 5, 2024