NPS: Canyonlands: On-line Backcountry Permits/ Human Waste Disposal Restrictions

[U4WDA]

This is old news now, but we didn't see it posted on here yet...

There's a new way to get your Canyonlands NP Backcountry 4x4 permits (https://canypermits.nps.gov/index.cfm). Note that there have been reports that the new system increases competition for popular sites/ dates as the availability of reservations is now only 4 months out rather than as much as 12 months out on the old system.

Also, get used to packing out your human waste, some backcountry toilets are being removed and portable toilet requirements being implemented...

See more at http://www.nps.gov/cany/parknews/news012014.htm and http://www.nps.gov/cany/parknews/news0801513.htm

Date: January 20, 2014
Contact: Keri Nelson, 435-719-2143

On-line Reservations Now Available for Backcountry Permits

A new on-line permit reservation system for Canyonlands National Park is now accepting reservations for all park backcountry permits and Needles District group campsites.

To help visitors more easily plan their trips, the new system replaces the previous method of faxing or mailing reservation application forms and also offers site availability calendars.

Reservations can be made no more than four months, and no less than two days, in advance for the following backcountry permits:

Backpacking
Four-wheel-drive/Mountain Bike Camping (e.g. sites along the White Rim Road)
Four-wheel-drive Day Use (e.g. Salt/Horse or Lavender Canyons)
Needles District Frontcountry Group Sites (e.g. Split Top, Wooden Shoe, and Squaw Flat)
River Trips (Cataract Canyon and Flat Water Trips)

Slots not reserved in advance will be made available in person at the park’s visitor centers and central reservation office on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites will not be set aside to accommodate these in-person permit requests, so reservations are highly recommended.

Date: August 15, 2013
Contact: Keri Nelson, 435-719-2143

Human Waste Disposal Restrictions and Vault Toilet Removal Announced for the Needles District

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced that overnight backcountry permit holders for Chesler Park and Elephant Canyon backpacking campsites and the Peekaboo vehicle campsite in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, will be required to pack out their human waste beginning September 22, 2013.

In addition, the NPS will be removing vault toilets in two of the district's backcountry locations, Paul Bunyan's Potty and the Peekaboo vehicle campsite. These toilets are being removed due to the increasing difficulty of servicing the toilets, and in an effort to return the areas to their remote backcountry condition.

Use of a toilet system that is either: 1) washable and reusable, allowing for the sanitary transfer of waste to sewage treatment facilities, or 2) of the type that treats solid waste with dry chemicals and is EPA approved for disposal in landfills (a.k.a. "wag bags") will be required.

Disposing of untreated human waste in landfills is prohibited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Landfill safe waste bags must be disposed of in a designated human waste receptacle, and portable toilet system contents must be emptied into a designated sewage treatment/dump station facility. Dumping portable toilet system contents and/or putting wag bags into vault or flush toilets are prohibited.

Human waste in the backcountry is becoming a greater resource protection and human health concern as park visitation increases. Park officials encourage all visitors coming to enjoy the region's backcountry trails and roads to plan ahead for ensuring they can properly contain and dispose of their human waste.

 

[jackjoh]

Thanks for the info.