How to Visit Canyonlands National Park — Jen33Travel 2025

Roads requiring 4WD include: Elephant Hill, Salt Creek, Horse Creek, Davis Canyon, Lavender Canyon, Colorado Overlook, and the White Rim.

Water

Water is an extremely scarce resource within the boundaries of the park.  Although water is available at the Island in the Sky and Needles Visitor Centers, there is no water available elsewhere, not even at Ranger Stations.  Canyonlands is a dry desolate place and extremely hot in summer when temperatures easily reach over 100° F so be prepared by bringing plenty of water with you.

WHERE TO STAY

Campgrounds Inside the Park

There are 2 campgrounds inside Canyonlands including the following:

• Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground – 12 individual sites.  First come, first serve. Open year round near the spectacular Green River Overlook.  Toilets, picnic tables, fire rings.  No water.

• The Needles Campground – 26 individual sites and 3 group sites.  You can reserve some sites in spring and fall.  Other times of year, they are first come, first serve.  Group sites can be reserved mid-March to mid-November.  Toilets, picnic tables, fire rings.