Canyonlands National Park

Permit-only areas in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands Permitted Gems

Accessing the remote corners of Canyonlands National Park requires careful planning and a backcountry permit. This list features designated campsites along the 100-mile White Rim Road in the Island in the Sky district and the isolated Maze district. These sites provide basecamps for exploring sandstone fins, deep canyons, and the Green and Colorado Rivers. Facilities are minimal, typically consisting of a single vault toilet, requiring visitors to carry all water and pack out all solid human waste.

Canyonlands Permitted Gems — Map

A

Doll House 3 Campsite

Remote Maze District site near the Colorado River. Access involves high-clearance 4WD via the Flint Trail. Nearby trails lead to the Granaries and the river.

B

Doll House 2 Campsite

Maze District site situated among sandstone pinnacles. Requires high-clearance 4WD and is located near the Spanish Bottom trail descent.

C

Doll House 1 Campsite

Maze District campsite near towering rock formations. Accessible via technical 4WD roads or by boat from the Colorado River.

D

White Crack

Located at the southern tip of the Island in the Sky mesa. Offers panoramic views of the Green and Colorado River junctions from the White Rim Road.

E

Hardscrabble B

White Rim Road site located near the Green River. High-clearance 4WD or mountain bike required for access.

F

Murphy Hogback C

Elevated site on the White Rim Road offering expansive views of the Soda Springs Basin and the Green River.

G

Potato Bottom

Lower-elevation White Rim Road site located near the Green River. Subject to seasonal flooding and high insect activity.

H

Candlestick

Isolated site on the White Rim Road with views of the Candlestick Tower and the Green River valley.

I

Potato Bottom

One of three campsites at Potato Bottom on the White Rim Road, situated near the banks of the Green River.

J

Potato Bottom

Campsite located in the Potato Bottom area of the White Rim Road, providing access to the river corridor.

K

Shafer

Located near the top of the Shafer Trail switchbacks. This is the closest backcountry site to the Island in the Sky visitor center.

L

Airport B

White Rim Road site named for the nearby Airport Tower rock formation. Requires high-clearance 4WD.

M

Airport D

Designated campsite on the White Rim Road positioned near the Airport Tower formation.

N

Airport C

Backcountry site on the White Rim Road with views of the surrounding sandstone mesas and the Airport Tower.

O

Airport A

One of four sites in the Airport area along the White Rim Road. Requires a backcountry permit for overnight stays.

P

Labyrinth A

White Rim Road site near the Labyrinth Canyon section of the Green River. Accessible by 4WD or mountain bike.

Q

Murphy Hogback A

High-point site on the White Rim Road with steep approach grades and views of the surrounding basins.

R

Labyrinth B

Remote site on the White Rim Road situated near the Green River at the northern end of the loop.

S

Taylor

Site located in Taylor Canyon, accessed via a five-mile spur road off the White Rim. Positioned near the Zeus and Moses towers.

T

Gooseberry A

White Rim Road site near the Gooseberry Trail, which provides a hiking route down into the canyon.

U

Murphy Hogback B

Central White Rim Road site located on a high ridge with 360-degree desert views.

V

Gooseberry B

White Rim Road site offering views of the surrounding sandstone basins and the Gooseberry canyon.

W

Hardscrabble A

Site on the White Rim Road located near the Green River and the Hardscrabble Hill climb.

X

The Wall Campsite

Remote Maze District site situated beneath a massive sandstone cliff. Requires high-clearance 4WD and self-sufficiency.

Y

Standing Rock Campsite

Maze District site located next to a distinct 60-foot sandstone pillar. Access requires technical high-clearance 4WD driving.

Other Lists

Canyonlands National Park Unmissables Canyonlands Vistas and Peaks Canyonlands Camping Adventures Canyonlands Archaeological Sites