Canyons in The Needles district. Photo: NPS/Rhodes Smartt
- Entrance
- $30 per car
- Nonresident fee
- None
- Park annual pass
- $55, U.S. residents
- Payment
- Depends on Location
Work out the cost for your group
About Canyonlands
Canyonlands is a wilderness of canyons, buttes, and spires carved by the Colorado River and Green River. The park is divided into four distinct districts; no roads join them together. The districts share similar desert ecosystems, but each one provides unique opportunities for adventure and discovery.
Things to do
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Auto Touring in Canyonlands
There are hundreds of miles of unpaved roads in Canyonlands, providing access to various campsites, trailheads, and viewpoints in the park's backcountry.
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Boating in Canyonlands
The Colorado and Green rivers have played a significant role in shaping the landscape of Canyonlands.
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Canyonlands Junior Ranger Program
There are a few ways to become a junior ranger at Canyonlands.
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Experience the Shafer Trail
The Shafer Trail is a challenging, unpaved backcountry road for recreational users seeking the experience of a lifetime.
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Hiking at Canyonlands
Canyonlands has hundreds of miles of hiking trails which explore the park’s natural and cultural features.
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Rock Climbing at Canyonlands
The sandstone towers at the Island in the Sky attract the most rock climbers.
Photos
Mesa Arch Photo: NPS/Neal Herbert 
The Maze Photo: NPS/Neal Herbert 
Hardscrabble Hill Photo: NPS/Rhodes Smartt 
Great Gallery Photo: NPS/Neal Herbert 
White Rim Road Photo: NPS/Neal Herbert
Entrance fees
| Type | Price | Valid for | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $30 | 7 days | All year |
| Per person, 16 and over | $15 | 7 days | All year |
Park annual pass
Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments. U.S. residents only.
A park's own annual pass is sold to U.S. citizens and residents only. A U.S. resident who holds one covers everyone in their private vehicle, including nonresident passengers.
Reservations
NPS lists no entry reservation for this park as of October 26, 2026. Campgrounds and tours may still need booking.
Weather and seasons
Canyonlands is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F.
Hours
Canyonlands National Park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Getting there
Canyonlands National Park is cut into three land districts by the Green and Colorado rivers. Island in the Sky, in the north of the park, is about 40 minutes from Moab, UT via UT 313. The Needles district is in the southeast corner of Canyonlands, about 90 minutes from Moab or an hour from Monticello, UT via UT 211. The Maze district, in the west of the park, is the most remote and challenging; its ranger station is down 46 miles of dirt road from UT 24. All roads in The Maze require high-clearance 4WD.
Campgrounds
- Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground
- The Needles CampgroundBook on Recreation.gov
- The Needles District Group CampsitesBook on Recreation.gov
Visitor centers
- Island in the Sky Visitor Center
- The Needles Visitor Center
- Hans Flat Ranger Station
- Canyonlands Backcountry Office
Alerts
- Caution: Mineral Bottom and White Rim Road are open but not recommended
- Information: Trip-planning tips for 2026
Parks nearby
Sources
Prices checked by hand against the park's fees page on October 26, 2026 (page last updated April 18, 2025).