Day-use permit for 4WD, motorcycle and bicycle at Canyonlands: what applies in 2026?

Direct answer

Day-use permit for 4WD, motorcycle and bicycle travel on named backcountry roads

Exact conditions

Status: Required under the listed conditions
Applies to: vehicles
Place or corridor: White Rim Road (Island in the Sky); Elephant Hill, Lavender Canyon and Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads (The Needles)
Effective dates: January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
Published fee: $6
Release model: rolling window

Release detail: Day use permits can be reserved at 8 am mountain time the day before the trip on Recreation.gov, and remain available until 8:00 a.m. MT the day of the trip.

Fee detail: There is a non-refundable $6.00 reservation fee (Recreation.gov), in addition to the park entrance fee.

Exceptions and limits

Not needed to drive the paved Island in the Sky or Needles scenic drives.
Not needed for hiking - only for four-wheel-drive, motorcycle and bicycle travel on the listed roads.

Open the official action page

Official source

National Park Service · reviewed August 27, 2026

You must have a day-use permit for four-wheel-drive, motorcycle, and bicycle travel on: White Rim Road (Island in the Sky); Elephant Hill, Lavender Canyon, and Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads (The Needles). Day use permits can be reserved at 8 am mountain time the day before the trip on Recreation.gov.

Permits & Reservations - Canyonlands National Park