Day use permits - Elephant Hilll and White Rim

http://www.nps.gov/cany/learn/news/news073015.htm

from the NPS...

The National Park Service has announced that permits will be required for all motor vehicle and bicycle day use on White Rim and Elephant Hill roads in Canyonlands National Park as of September 1, 2015.

Day-use permits will be available on the park's official website 24 hours in advance of the trip date. Some permits for each day will also be available, first-come, first-served at the Island in the Sky Visitor Center for the White Rim Road, and at the Needles Visitor Center for Elephant Hill Road.

For the White Rim Road, a total of 50 day-use vehicle permits (including motorcycles) and 50 day-use bicycle permits will be available each day. Group size will be limited to three vehicles and 15 bicycles.

A total of 24 day-use vehicle permits (including motorcycles) and 12 day-use bicycle permits will be available each day for Elephant Hill Road. Group size will be limited to three vehicles and 12 bicycles. A permit will be required for each motor vehicle and bicycle.

Salt Creek, Horse Canyon, and Lavender Canyon day-use permits will now also be available, first-come, first-served, on the park's official website beginning 24 hours in advance of the trip date. Permits for these areas will no longer be available up to four months in advance.

No fee will be charged for these day-use permits during the 2015-2016 seasons. Payment of the park entrance fee is required for day use and will be collected with permits issued online (beginning in late Spring 2016) or at the time of entrance to the park for walk in permits. Interagency Annual Passes, Military Passes, Senior Passes, and Access Passes will be honored for entrance as noted on the back of each pass.

More information is available on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at:http://parkplanning.nps.gov/cany_day_use

 

what the fuck

 

so if you have camping permits, the day use permit regulation does not apply.

 

WOW!!!!!! @NYCO

 

yea...big step backwards for land access in the area...

but it's a good thing, because it's so crowded on elephant hill i mean i think the combined i've seen three other groups on that trail in the two times i've been on that trail...

 

I wonder what they're going to do about people heading in the back way to Elephant Hill, or access the White Rim from the opposite side?

Regardless, this is super disappointing. Going to be a race every morning for the passes. Can you imagine heading all the way to Elephant Hill and not being allowed to go?

 

go in through beef basin and run when you see a ranger

 

So it begins...


How can they enforce the group size limit? What if the groups just happen to meet while running it? Whats their logic behind this?

And while I've never run either, with all the other trails, as long as it's not during EJS or something you hardly see other vehicles on the trail 50 seems like a weird number they picked. Though I'm fine keeping it at that number.

 

yea, space them out by 15-30 min? oh hey look who we ran across on the trail

 

Q&A on the subject...

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/showFil...andA_CANY_DayUsePermits_20151.pdf&sfid=215349

larger groups can go if spaced out by 30 minutes

 

Screw Moab! I wanted to go there but If I have to fight other people constantly for a permit then it isn't worth going to.

 

make sure to express your opinion with Canyonlands NPS. they need to hear how many are now deterred from enjoying our lands due to their actions

 

Man, this sucks.

 

This^ I have only seen 2-3 others on the Elephant hill trail all of the times I've wheeled out there.

 

I recently spent 2 days on Elephant Hill/Needles, saw 2 groups of 3 vehicles, a ranger in a Jeep and a couple other random folks. Quite a few hikers/backpackers and 1 guy who was running cross country.

 

Now they want to make Fins and Things a one way only and limit one end to daytime use only and limit mini Lion's back to daytime hours as well. There is a comment period if you're interested in voicing your opinion.

 

link to proposal?

 

First time seeing this and I think it's absolute BS! For those that have to travel far and plane their trips out this is going to be a nightmare. One could drive all the way out there and not be able to get a permit for the days they are there.