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Canyonlands Maze — Sunset Pass permit area in Canyonlands National Park - backcountry hiking destination
Booked one camp per night, in order

Canyonlands Maze — Sunset Pass Permit

Canyonlands National Park · Utah

Backcountry permit for the Sunset Pass area in the Maze District of Canyonlands.

Get an alert when a night opens on your Sunset Pass dates.

Get alerts for your Sunset Pass nights

A Sunset Pass reservation is a sequence of nights, and each night books a camp.

Give us your trip window and we check every night of it across all camps on this permit, then tell you the moment nights open.

Cover the whole trip, plus any spare days you could shift onto. A wider window catches more openings.

The window above is how much time you have to work with. This is how many nights the trip itself takes. Leave it blank and we'll check every night in the window. We alert you when 2 or more nights in a row open.

Party

70% of the openings our scanner caught on Sunset Pass were gone within 10 minutes.

Sunset Pass reservation dates

max group size
9people

How to get a Sunset Pass permit

As of September 2026, Sunset Pass in Canyonlands National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Sunset Pass rates 5/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Sunset Pass permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.

Type
Overnight
Location
UT

  1. Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account

    Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at Recreation.gov
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation huntingRecreation.gov tips

More on Sunset Pass: Live availability activityWhen Sunset Pass permits open up

When to hike Sunset Pass

Sunset Pass rules, gear and safety

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Sunset Pass.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Sunset Pass · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

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Sunset Pass FAQ

How do I get a Sunset Pass permit?

PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Sunset Pass cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Sunset Pass permits use a reservation system.

When is the best time to visit Sunset Pass?

Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Sunset Pass permit?

This permit has a demand score of 5/10, making it moderately competitive.

What if I can't get a Sunset Pass 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.

Sunset Pass trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions

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Trip Reports

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Alternatives to a Sunset Pass permit

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