2 or 3 DayTrip To Canyonlands National Park

[Craiger]

Looks so awesome. Mid-April needs to get here and PRONTO!!! I realize this could vary, but how many other groups might we see camping in CP1 on a Friday and Saturday night?

So the plan is to drive from Denver to the Moab area on a Thursday evening and then head into the park early a.m. on Friday.

Any good spots outside the park where we could car camp?

There are a number of primitive BLM campgrounds east of the park entrance. I think most are first come first served and they fill up quickly on weekends in April. When we where there last April we found some dispersed camping near Hamburger Rock even though the campground itself was full. See https://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/...92687.File.dat/CampingNearNeedlesMap&List.pdf

Someone also mentioned that the Squaw Flat campground inside the park will start taking reservations this spring. If you could snag one of those it would help you get an early start on Friday.

 

[Dustin Rand]

SOB!!!!

I thought I was very careful and meticulous in planning our trip but I realized late last night that I overlooked one key thing...

NO CAMPFIRES ALLOWED!!!!!

This now has us seriously rethinking our entire itinerary even though flights and the campsites have been reserved.

Is camping really camping when you can't have a fricking campfire????

My buddy is kinda pissed at me for overlooking this and I'm just downright sad at the moment.

 

[Nick]

Dude. It's the desert. You don't need a campfire and there wouldn't be anything to burn out there if you could. One summer of people building fires would tear that area down to nothing but sand and rocks. Sit back and watch the most amazing starry sky you'll ever see. Bring a candle lantern if you must have some ambient light to sit around. We often do while we cook but we always blow it out to take in the sky.

You can still have campfires in the reserved car camping campgrounds and in most car camping sites if you bring your own wood.

P.S. You can cancel your reservation. Just call or email the Canyonlands permit office.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Is camping really camping when you can't have a fricking campfire????

Yes. I camp quite a bit throughout the year and almost never have a campfire.

 

[Nick]

Keep in mind that Chesler and pretty much everything else around there is easily doable as a day hike. If a fire is that big of a deal, just don't backpack. It makes for a more luxurious camping experience and you don't have to pack days worth of water around.

 

[pstm13]

SOB!!!!

I thought I was very careful and meticulous in planning our trip but I realized late last night that I overlooked one key thing...

NO CAMPFIRES ALLOWED!!!!!

This now has us seriously rethinking our entire itinerary even though flights and the campsites have been reserved.

Is camping really camping when you can't have a fricking campfire????

My buddy is kinda pissed at me for overlooking this and I'm just downright sad at the moment.

I felt the same way on my first backcountry trip. Since then I prefer not to have a fire. There are other things you can do while sitting around and talking. As for warmth, the best place you could be is in your bag and tent.

 

[Jackson]

I second what @IntrepidXJ said. If I'm backpacking, I rarely have a fire, and it still feels like camping to me!

Also, if fires were permitted in the Needles, the place would've been picked clean of all its firewood a very long time ago.

 

[Dustin Rand]

Do you know if there are any "at-large" zones that allow campfires and that are relatively close to either CP or Druid Arch?

 

[Nick]

Do you know if there are any "at-large" zones that allow campfires and that are relatively close to either CP or Druid Arch?

The only places you can have campfires within Canyonlands National Park are in fire rings at designated campgrounds and in river spec fire pans on the Green and Colorado River. Absolutely no fires anywhere else.

 

[Dustin Rand]

The trip is almost here!

How reliable is the cell service on the Chesler Park Loop and the Druid Arch Loop? We're planning to keep our phones in our pockets other than to take pictures, but this would be good to know

 

[Nick]

The trip is almost here!

How reliable is the cell service on the Chesler Park Loop and the Druid Arch Loop? We're planning to keep our phones in our pockets other than to take pictures, but this would be good to know

You get lucky here and there when you're in high areas, but don't count on any service.

 

[Dustin Rand]

Good to know. How about back at camp in CP1?

 

[Jammer]

I definitely wouldn't count on any service in Chesler Park or along most of the trail as Nick said. If you have Verizon and can see south to the Abajos you have a chance. Please report back with what you find. :twothumbs:

 

[Dustin Rand]

Thanks again all. We had a great time. The Chesler Park loop was such a great and beautiful introduction to the area and the Druid Arch loop was also amazing with a bit more of a challenge added to it.

And CP1 was hands down the best campsite we saw during our travels so thanks for that recommendation.

We packed all of our water. We each had a little over 1g per day but we both quickly regretted not bringing in more. When we got to the bottom of the canyon (elephant?) on our way to druid arch, we found TONS of water. Neither of us brought in a filter though unfortunately.

 

[Nick]

Post some pics! (or better yet, a full trip report)