Arches and Canyonlands national parks are open all year, but the parks’ visitor center operations change with the arrival of winter.
The National Park Service said in a press release on Nov. 15 that the during the winter, the Arches Visitor Center will be open daily from 9a.m. to 4 p.m., except for Christmas Day, when it will be closed.
The Needles Visitor Center at Canyonlands National Park will be closed on Thanksgiving Day; it will close for the winter at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, and will reopen in early March 2019.
Island in the Sky Visitor Center at Canyonlands National Park will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It will be open daily through Dec. 31.
Beginning January 1, 2019, the Island in the Sky Visitor Center will be open Friday through Tuesday each week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays until early March 2019.
Law enforcement staff will remain on duty in both parks throughout the winter.
Permits are required for all overnight backcountry use.
Visitors wishing to stay overnight in the Island in the Sky backcountry can make advance reservations (and receive their permit two days or more before their trip) online at www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm.
Visitors can also get permits at the Island in the Sky Visitor Center during its open business hours or at the Backcountry Reservation Office weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except federal holidays. The backcountry office is located at 2282 Resource Blvd. in Moab.
Visitors wishing to stay overnight in The Needles District backcountry must obtain a permit from the self-registration station located on the front porch of The Needles Visitor Center.
Day-use permits are required for vehicle and bicycle travel on Elephant Hill Road at The Needles District and White Rim Road at the Island in the Sky District.
Permits for Elephant Hill Road may be obtained at the self-registration station at The Needles Visitor Center. Permits for White Rim Road are available online or at Island in the Sky Visitor Center up to 24 hours before the day of travel. Roads may be closed at any time due to poor conditions.
For information about backcountry use, call the backcountry office at 435-259-4351 or email canypermits@nps.gov.
Visitor services (lodging, food, gasoline, etc.) are not available in the parks, so visitors need to be well equipped with all necessities upon arrival.
Permits required for all overnight backcountry use
