Camping Near Canyonlands National Park
Utah | Established 1964
About Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park spans 337,570 acres divided into four districts by the Colorado and Green Rivers. Two small developed campgrounds serve the park. Willow Flat Campground in the Island in the Sky district has 12 first-come, first-served sites at $15 per night with no water and a 28-foot vehicle limit. Squaw Flat Campground in the Needles district offers 26 sites ($20/night reservable, $15/night first-come) with year-round water and the same 28-foot limit.
Both campgrounds fill early during spring and fall peak seasons. For RV camping with hookups, Moab is 30 miles from Island in the Sky with multiple private parks offering full services. The Maze district and Horseshoe Canyon are remote backcountry areas requiring high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles and advance permits for all overnight stays. Backcountry permits are required for any overnight trip in the park, whether by 4WD, mountain bike, backpacking, or horseback.
Camping Tips for Canyonlands
- Squaw Flat Loop B sites open for reservations on Recreation.gov six months in advance. March through May is peak season and fills quickly. Loop A's 14 first-come sites at $15/night fill by midday during spring weekends.
- Willow Flat Campground has just 12 sites with no water. Bring all water and fill up at the Island in the Sky visitor center (seasonal, spring through fall only) before driving to the campground.
- All backcountry camping requires advance permits from the park office. Popular routes like White Rim Road (4WD, 3 days) book months ahead for spring and fall.
- RVs are limited to 28 feet at both developed campgrounds. The approach roads are narrow with sharp turns. For larger rigs, use Moab private parks 30 miles from Island in the Sky.
- Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer ideal camping temperatures in the 60s to 80s. Summer exceeds 100 degrees at lower elevations and winter drops below freezing at night.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Canyonlands National Park
131.LC1 Campground
LC1 Campground is a campground located in Monticello, Utah, offering a convenient base for exploring the scenic landscapes of southeastern Utah. The campground provides essential...
Show more132.BS1 Campground
BS1 Campground is a welcoming campground located in Monticello, Utah, offering a convenient base for exploring the stunning landscapes of southeastern Utah. The campground...
Show moreShowing 131–132 of 132 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are inside Canyonlands National Park?
Canyonlands has two developed campgrounds: Willow Flat in Island in the Sky (12 sites, $15/night, first-come, no water) and Squaw Flat in the Needles (26 sites, $15-20/night, some reservable). Both limit vehicles to 28 feet. Neither has hookups or dump stations.
Squaw Flat is the better-equipped campground with year-round water, flush toilets, and 11 reservable sites in Loop B through Recreation.gov. Willow Flat has vault toilets only and no water source at the campground. Water is available seasonally at the Island in the Sky visitor center, about 7 miles from Willow Flat. Group camping is available at Squaw Flat for parties of 11 or more ($60/night).
Do I need a permit for backcountry camping?
Yes, permits are required for all overnight backcountry trips, including four-wheel-drive vehicle camping, mountain biking, backpacking, and horseback camping. Apply through the Canyonlands permit office at 435-259-4351 or online. Popular routes book months in advance.
The White Rim Road (100 miles, typically 3 days by 4WD) is the most popular backcountry route and requires advance reservations. Day-use permits are needed for some areas. Backcountry permits specify exact campsites, routes, and dates. The Maze district requires the most planning and self-sufficiency. Water is extremely limited in all backcountry areas; carry one gallon per person per day minimum.
Do I need a four-wheel-drive vehicle for Canyonlands?
No, for the two most-visited districts. Island in the Sky and Needles are fully accessible by two-wheel-drive vehicle on paved and maintained roads. The remote Maze district requires high-clearance four-wheel-drive. Backcountry roads like White Rim require 4WD.
Island in the Sky has paved roads to Grand View Point, Green River Overlook, and the Willow Flat Campground. The Needles district is accessible via UT-211 to Squaw Flat and most trailheads. Unpaved roads in both districts are generally passable by 2WD in dry conditions but become impassable after rain. The Maze is the least visited district, requiring 50+ miles of rough 4WD roads and serious backcountry experience.
Can I bring my dog to Canyonlands campgrounds?
Dogs on a leash of six feet or shorter are allowed in developed campgrounds, on paved roads, and in parking areas. Dogs are prohibited on all hiking trails, in the backcountry, and in park buildings. The desert heat makes hiking with pets dangerous.
Leashed pets may walk within 100 feet of campground roads and parking areas. No pets are allowed at Grand View Point overlook trail, Mesa Arch, or any other trail or viewpoint reached by foot. For dog-friendly hiking near Canyonlands, BLM land surrounding the park allows leashed dogs on most trails. Moab has pet boarding and daycare services.
How far is Moab from each Canyonlands district?
Island in the Sky is 30 miles from Moab (45-minute drive). The Needles district is 75 miles from Moab (90-minute drive via US-191 and UT-211). The Maze district is over 100 miles from Moab and requires 4 to 6 hours on rough roads.
Moab serves as the primary supply hub for all Canyonlands districts. The town offers fuel, groceries, gear shops, restaurants, and multiple private RV parks with full hookups ($35 to $55/night). Monticello, 50 miles south of Moab on US-191, provides closer access to the Needles district. There are no services, fuel, or water available inside the park except seasonally at visitor centers.
What is the entrance fee for Canyonlands?
The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for a seven-day pass covering all four districts. Motorcycles cost $25 and individual entry on foot or bicycle is $15. A joint annual pass for Canyonlands and Arches costs $55.
The Southeast Utah Parks annual pass ($55) covers Canyonlands, Arches, Hovenweep, and Natural Bridges. The America the Beautiful pass ($80) covers all federal recreation sites. Entrance stations accept credit and debit cards. Eight fee-free days occur annually, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first day of National Park Week, and Veterans Day.
Is there water available at the campgrounds?
Squaw Flat Campground has year-round water. Willow Flat has no water at the campground. Seasonal water is available at the Island in the Sky visitor center (spring through fall), about 7 miles from Willow Flat. No water is available anywhere in the Maze district.
The desert environment requires careful water planning. Carry at least one gallon per person per day for any activity. Backcountry water sources are unreliable and require treatment. The nearest reliable water refill outside the park is in Moab (30 miles from Island in the Sky). Squaw Flat's water comes from a deep well and is treated and tested regularly.
When is the best time to camp at Canyonlands?
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer ideal temperatures in the 60s to 80s. Summer highs exceed 100 degrees at lower elevations. Winter brings freezing nights and occasional snow but offers complete solitude and clear skies.
April and October are the busiest months with the best weather. Both campgrounds fill daily from late March through May. Wildflowers bloom in spring across the mesa tops. Fall brings cooler temperatures and golden cottonwoods along waterways. Summer camping is possible but requires extreme heat precautions. Winter camping at higher elevations (Island in the Sky at 6,000 feet) demands cold-weather gear and four-season tents.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $30/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- March – May, September – November
- Nearest Town
- Moab, UT, Monticello, UT
- Elevation
- 3,900 – 7,180 ft
- Park Size
- 337,570 acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~1.5 million