Arches and Canyonlands national parks are open all year, but the parks’ visitor center operations change with the arrival of winter.
The Arches Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. this winter, except for Christmas Day, when it will be closed.
The Needles Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park will close for the winter at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25, and will reopen in early March 2018.
The Island in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. It will close for the winter at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, and will reopen in early March 2018.
Law enforcement staff will remain on duty in both parks throughout the winter.
Permits are required for all overnight backcountry use.
Park staff recommends that visitors wishing to stay overnight in the Island in the Sky district backcountry make advance reservations (and receive their permits two days or more before their trip) online at: nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm.
Permits may also be obtained by visiting the Central Reservation Office at 2282 Resource Blvd. just south of Moab on Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except federal holidays.
Information about backcountry use may also be obtained by calling the Central Reservation Office at 435-259-4351.
Day-use permits are required for vehicle and bicycle travel on the Elephant Hill Road in Needles and the White Rim Road in Island in the Sky. Permits for the Elephant Hill Road may be obtained at the self-registration station at the Needles Visitor Center.
Additional information about Arches and Canyonlands national parks is available at www.nps.gov/arch and www.nps.gov/cany.
