Rolling backpacking permit releaseTimed release
Permits release three months ahead of the entry date; self-issue and print at home becomes available 14 days before the entry date. Trip window: Year-round.
Bureau of Land Management · UT
Cedar Mesa Backpacking Permits (Bears Ears National Monument)
BLM overnight backpacking permits for Grand Gulch and the surrounding Cedar Mesa canyons in Bears Ears, with daily per-trailhead quotas released on a rolling basis up to three months ahead.
Permit requiredovernightStrenuous
Access requirement
How to get a permit
Permit rules
QuotaOvernight use is limited to 20 people per trailhead per day; all 20 daily permits are available to purchase online year-round starting three months in advance of the entry date.
GroupMaximum group of 12 people.
Fees$15.00 recreation fee per person per trip plus a $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee.
TransferCheck official source for transferability terms.
SafetyRemote desert canyons with limited water, no cell service, and fragile Ancestral Puebloan cultural sites; rangers at Kane Gulch Ranger Station advise on current conditions and site etiquette.
Where to stay
Campgrounds nearby
Official campground records near this destination. Availability is labeled with the source actually checked.
Natural Bridges Campground
Reservable
Aug 259Aug 267Aug 278Aug 287Aug 297Aug 308Aug 318
Availability: Recreation.gov
Sand Island Group Sites
Reservable · $65 per night
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 282Aug 292Aug 301Aug 312
Availability: Recreation.gov
Sand Island Recreation Area
Reservable + first-come · The campground at Sand Island Recreation Area is first come, first served and payment must be made upon arrival at the self-register kiosk at the campground using cash, check, or the Scan & Pay feature on the Recreation.gov mobile app. You must have the Recreation.gov app installed on your mobile device to use the Scan & Pay payment method. There is no fee for day use.
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 30—Aug 31—
Availability: Recreation.gov
NIZHONI
Reservable
Aug 25—Aug 26—Aug 27—Aug 28—Aug 29—Aug 3017Aug 3117
Availability: Recreation.gov