Canyonlands National Park Fees & Reservations

Entrance fees to Canyonlands National Park are very reasonable indeed, just as they are to all National Parks. Take a look at this . . .

Private vehicles only have to pay $10, that includes all passengers and is valid for 7 days.
People who enter the park individually, either walking, cycling or on a motorcycle only have to pay $5 for 7 days.
A local passport will cost only $25 which includes entry into Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park (which is real close by), Hovenweep and Natural Bridges, and it’s valid for a whole year.
Commercial vehicles can also enter the park, but their charges are a little different. It all depends on the capacity of the commercial vehicle you see – vehicles which can carry up to 6 passengers have to pay $25 plus $5 per person, vehicles which can carry 7 to 25 passengers have to pay $40, and buses which can carry more than 26 passengers have to pay $100 for entry into the park.

Canyonlands National Park Permits

If you’re planning an overnight trip into the back country of Canyonlands National Park then you’ll need a permit, which at present will set you back $30. You also need a permit if you’re gonna’ be traveling around Canyonlands National Park back country with a four wheel drive, that’ll set you back a whole $10. Other reasons why you may need a permit for your visit to Canyonlands National Park include;

All overnight back country trips
Horseback riding
River use
4 wheel drive use in the Needles District, Horse and Lavender canyons
You can easily get hold of a permit at one of the visitor centers, they can also be reserved in advance.

Thank goodness it was a motorcycle ride, for a moment there I thought he was going to go horseback riding to Dead Horse Point . . . bit of a worry!

Camping at Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky

The Willow Flat Campground at Island in the Sky is open all year, reservations are not necessary, it’s strictly first come, first served. There’s no water available so you’ll have to take your own, camp sites are charged at $10 per night and there are a total of twelve sites which have vault toilets, fire grills and picnic tables. You’d better take your own wood too for the fire pits, ‘cos you’re not allowed to collect any wood from the national park. Here’s a list of the campground rules for you to check out before you arrive;

You’re only permitted to camp within the designated sites
You’re only permitted to stay for a maximum of 7 consecutive nights
There’s a maximum of 10 people and 2 vehicles per site
The maximum RV length is only 28′
Check out time is 10am
Quiet time is between the hours of 10pm and 6am
If you take a pet with you make sure that it’s leashed at all times
You’re only permitted to have a fire in the fire grates provided. Don’t leave any of your garbage in the fire grates and remember that you’re not permitted to gather any wood
You are permitted to use charcoal fires in the fire pans and grills, make sure that you place the ashes in the fire grates
Make sure that all fires are properly extinguished all of the time
You are permitted to use a generator but only between the hours of 8am and 10am, then 4pm to 8pm.

Camping at Canyonlands National Park – Needles

The Squaw Flat Campground at Needles is the perfect location from which to enjoy many of the most popular day hikes at Canyonlands National Park – we’re talking places like Druid Arch, the Joint Trail and Chesler Park. This campsite has a total of 26 sites available, once again they’re strictly on a first come, first served basis. The facilities at Squaw Flat Campground includes fire grates, picnic tables, bathroom, water and tent pads. A site will cost you $15 but do bear in mind that this campground often fills up between late March through to June, and again from early in September until the middle of October. Once again you must follow the campsite rules;

Group Camping at Needles

There are three group camping sites which do need advance reservations.

The Wooden Shoe can accommodate up to 25 people and 5 vehicles
The Squaw Flat Group Site can accommodate up to 50 people and 10 vehicles
The Split Top can accommodate up to 15 people and 3 vehicles
Group camping is charged at $3 per person, per night.