Canyonlands National Park Warnings Or Dangers Tips by KimberlyAnn Top 5 Page for this destination

For your Safety

While engaging in outdoor activities in the warm months be sure to carry plenty of drinking water with you. The park recommends at least one gallon of water per person per day.
Be aware that flash floods can occur without warning, so never camp in a dry wash or drive across a flooded area.
During the rainy season lightning can be of danger, so it is recommended that you avoid overlooks during thunderstorms.
Park trails are primitive, often marked by piles of rocks called cairns, and not maintained. For this reason always use caution when hiking and backpacking.

What is the Weather Like?

Canyonlands has a desert like climate with very hot summers, quite pleasant falls and springs, and cool winters that can bring light snow. Most of the precipitation is in the late summer and early fall with possible thunderstorms. In the summers expect daytime temperatures to range from 80 to 100 degrees F. Spring and fall are more pleasant for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities with temperatures usually ranging from 60 to 80 degrees F. When we were there in January we found daytime temperatures in the mid 40s and low 50s. Although this sounds like it was unpleasant, the beautiful dry sunny, cloudless, windless days allowed the sun to feel even warmer than the temperatures actually were. I started out hiking with a system jacket setup for winter weather, and soon had the lining removed reducing it to a lighter weight coat. We were told, however that you can expect a range from 30 to 50 degrees during the winter season.

Services and Travel Warnings

Services are limited in the park, and drinking water is not available at the Maze. Food, stores, lodging except for campgrounds, or gasoline are not available in any of the districts. Although the Canyonlands Needles Outpost, which is 1.5 miles from the Needles Visitor Center has gasoline, some food, and limited supplies, they are not always open and can be expensive. The week we spent in the area in the winter they were never open. For full services you will have to travel to Moab, Green River, Hanksville, Monticello or other nearby towns. Weather can make some areas of the park impassable, so be sure to check at the visitor’s center to see what the trail and park road conditions are.