Moon House Day Hiking Permit
Cedar Mesa / Bears Ears · Utah
Day permit to visit Moon House, the Ancestral Puebloan structure in McLoyd Canyon known for the painted band running through its interior rooms.
Get an alert when Moon House opens on your dates.
When it opens
- 3 months
- First come, first served from three months before your entry dateYou book on Recreation.gov.
Source: recreation.gov
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Moon House were gone within 10 minutes.
Moon House reservation dates
- daily quota
- 20people
- max group size
- 12people
How to get a Moon House permit
As of September 2026, Moon House in Cedar Mesa / Bears Ears, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Moon House is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Moon House permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.
- Type
- Day Use
- Location
- Bears Ears / Cedar Mesa, UT
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Moon House pro tips
- Stop at Kane Gulch Ranger Station for road and route conditions when it is open. The drive is the part that surprises people.
- This is a permit for a fragile archaeological site. Read BLM's Visit With Respect guidance before you go.
- Commercial and organized groups need a separate special recreation permit from the Monticello Field Office.
More on Moon House: Live availability activityWhen Moon House permits open up
When to hike Moon House
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Backcountry Tips
- Today: 65% chance of precipitation. Pack rain gear.
Today
59°
51°
65%
Wed
61°
51°
58%
Thu
71°
50°
Fri
74°
57°
Sat
78°
59°
Sun
74°
60°
Mon
69°
58°
Moon House rules, gear and safety
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Moon House.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Moon House · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Moon House FAQ
How far ahead can I book a Moon House permit?
Three months. BLM puts the entire Moon House quota on Recreation.gov starting three months ahead of the entry date, so there is no separate advance block held back.
How many people per day does the Moon House permit allow?
Twenty visitors per day, with a maximum group size of 12. That is the whole daily allocation for the site.
Can I get a walk-up Moon House permit?
Sometimes. In spring and fall the Kane Gulch Ranger Station sells walk-ups as available, open 8:00 a.m. to noon Thursday through Sunday during its season. In summer and winter you go through the Monticello Field Office at 435-587-1500.
How hard is the hike to Moon House?
Rougher than the mileage suggests. BLM calls the road out there rough and suggests high clearance and four-wheel drive, and flags a five-foot pouroff halfway in that turns some visitors around. Dogs are not allowed in the Moon House Recreational Management Zone.
Moon House trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
Sign in to report trail conditions.
Questions
No questions yet
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Moon House permit
Where to stay near Moon House
- Natural Bridges CampgroundNatural Bridges National Monument
- Sand Island Group SitesUtah
- Sand Island Recreation AreaBears Ears National Monument
- All Utah campgrounds
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