Fees and Permits

Fees and Permits

There is no fee to enter Bears Ears National Monument. However, some areas have daily user fees and may require a permit. It’s your responsibility to know the rules and regulations inside and outside the monument.

Day Hike Fee Areas

  • Butler Wash
  • Mule Canyon
  • Grand Gulch and its tributaries
  • Slickhorn Canyon
  • Fish Canyon
  • Owl Canyon
  • Road Canyon
  • Lime Canyon

There is a fee envelope and collection tube at these trailheads or entrance points.  Day fees are $5 per person. An annual pass, good for the calendar year and covering all occupants of the vehicle, is $40 and is available at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station or the BLM Monticello Field Office.

There are no fees on the Forest Service lands within the monument.

Federal Pass Holders Please Note

America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass, Senior Pass, and Veterans Pass do not apply in Bears Ears.

Activities That Require A Permit

Overnight Backpacking Permit Areas

Overnight backpacking within Grand Gulch and the canyons of Cedar Mesa within Bears Ears National Monument requires a permit, which costs $15/person/trip. You can make a backpacking reservation from 5 days to 3 months in advance of your trip through the BLM permit desk or on Recreation.gov. Overnight use is limited to 20 people per trailhead. Unreserved permits are available at Kane Gulch Ranger Station.

Moon House Day Hike Permit

Day hiking to Moon House requires a permit. The trail is limited to 20 people/day. Half of the permits are available with advance reservation and half are available day of at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station. The Ranger Station is located on Highway 261, 4 miles south of Highway 95, and is open from 8am to noon March 1- June 15, and September 1 to October 1.  For advance reservations, purchase a permit online at Recreation.gov, or call the BLM permit desk at 435-587-1510 or the BLM Monticello Field Office front desk at 435-587-1500.

San Juan River Rafting Permit

Permits are required for San Juan River trips, call the BLM permit desk at 435-587-1510 or check online for available permits.