Reservation7/10
Moon House Day Hiking cancellations
Day permit to visit Moon House, the Ancestral Puebloan structure in McLoyd Canyo...
Grand Gulch Permit
Cedar Mesa / Bears Ears · Utah
Each entry point carries its own quota
Premier canyon with abundant archaeology. Permit required.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Grand Gulch were gone within 5 minutes.
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Grand Gulch Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
Grand Gulch Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Grand Gulch in Cedar Mesa / Bears Ears, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Grand Gulch is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- The Grand Gulch route covers 46 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate.
- Cancelled Grand Gulch permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeOvernight
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationUT
What to Expect
Route Details
Distance
46 miles
Elevation Gain
2,000 ft
Route Type
Point to Point
Duration
3-7 days
Difficulty
ModerateElevation Range
4,200 - 6,400 ft
Highlights
- •52 miles of canyon with 400+ archaeological sites
- •Variable trip lengths from day hikes to week-long traverses
- •Major sites include Perfect Kiva, Junction Ruin, Green Mask
- •Permit required with limited daily entries
- •Some wading in canyon bottom
Best Time to Visit
March-May and September-November. Summer is hot. Winter brings cold nights and possible snow.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Flash floods in canyon
- !Unstable archaeological structures (do not climb)
- !Heat in summer
- !Water scarcity in dry years
- !Cryptobiotic soil damage
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (4,200 ft)
⚠️
Backcountry Tips
- Day 4: Start early. Be below treeline by noon due to lightning risk.
Today
☁️
81°
58°
Sun
☁️
78°
61°
Mon
🌧️
77°
60°
42%
Tue
⛈️
74°
57°
28%
Wed
🌧️
77°
63°
41%
Thu
🌧️
76°
61°
31%
Fri
⛅
75°
60°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Difficulty Assessment
Physical Demand3/5
Fitness and endurance required
Technical Skill2/5
Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills
Exposure Risk2/5
Steep dropoffs and fall potential
Navigation2/5
Route finding and trail clarity
Commitment3/5
Difficulty of bailing out mid-route
Best For
History enthusiasts and backpackers seeking cultural connection to the past.
Recommended Experience
Basic backpacking. Understanding of archaeological ethics.
Not Recommended For
Those impatient with regulated sites. Anyone who might damage archaeological resources.
About This Permit
Grand Gulch Primitive Area contains over 400 documented Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites along 52 miles of canyon. Cliff dwellings, granaries, and rock art panels appear with remarkable frequency.
Permits are required for all overnight trips and must be reserved in advance. Day use permits are available at Kane Gulch Ranger Station.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Grand Gulch contains one of the highest concentrations of Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the Southwest. Over 400 documented sites, including cliff dwellings, granaries, and rock art panels, line the canyon. This is archaeology at a density found almost nowhere else.
The Route
From Kane Gulch Ranger Station, the trail drops into Grand Gulch and follows the drainage downstream. Archaeological sites appear with remarkable frequency, from small granaries to major cliff dwellings like Perfect Kiva and the Junction Ruin.
The canyon can be hiked as an out-and-back or combined with Bullet Canyon for a loop. Multi-day trips access the most significant sites deeper in the canyon.
The Feeling
You round a bend and a cliff dwelling appears, tucked into an alcove as if the inhabitants just stepped away. Handprints cover the wall nearby, left by people who walked this canyon 800 years ago. The next site appears within minutes. Then another. The canyon becomes a timeline of human habitation stretching back thousands of years.
Rules & Regulations
- •Permit required for all overnight trips (advance reservation)
- •Day use permits available at ranger station
- •Do not touch, climb on, or enter archaeological sites
- •No camping within sight of ruins
- •Pack out all waste including human waste
Gear Checklist
Required
- Water filter (seasonal pools and springs)
- WAG bags for human waste
- Detailed maps
- Sturdy footwear for rocky terrain
- Sun protection
Recommended
- Binoculars for viewing ruins from distance
- Camera with telephoto for details
- Camp shoes for wet crossings
- Trekking poles
- Leave No Trace ethic
Plan Your Trip
🎒
Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Grand Gulch
🚐
Shuttle Services
Trailhead transportation options
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Guide Services
Experienced wilderness guides
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Key Landmarks
↑
2,000ft
Gain↓
4,200ft
Loss⛰️
6,400ft
High📏
23.0mi
Distance📐
1.6%
Avg GradeClick on a marker to view details•7 landmarks
Landmarks (7)
Grand Gulch FAQ
How do I get a Grand Gulch permit?
Grand Gulch permits use a reservation system. PermitSnag sends lottery open, deadline, and results reminders; you can also enable cancellation alerts if spots open later.
When is the best time to visit Grand Gulch?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Grand Gulch permit?
This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Grand Gulch permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
👥Community
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
No questions yet
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Trip Reports
Write ReportPhotography Guide
Golden Hour
Cliff dwellings photograph best in soft morning light. Afternoon sun can wash out details.
Best Light
Early morning or late afternoon for ruins. Midday works for rock art panels in alcoves.
Beat the Crowds
Weekday permits see fewer visitors. Spring and fall are busiest but not crowded.
Classic Shots
- 📍Junction Ruin panorama
- 📍Perfect Kiva interior
- 📍Green Mask pictograph panel
- 📍Handprints on canyon walls
- 📍Scale shots showing cliff dwelling size
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Grand Gulch trip
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