The Maze
The Maze is the least accessible district of Canyonlands. It's big, wild, remote and untamed. Roads require high-clearance four-wheel-drive. There are no amenities - no food, no water, no gasoline. There is no entrance fee here but permits are required for overnight trips.
Because of the remoteness and the difficulty of roads and trails, travel to the Maze requires more time, as well as a greater degree of self-sufficiency. Rarely do visitors spend less than three days in the Maze, and the area can easily absorb a week-long trip. Popular attractions here include:
The Doll House
Maze Overlook
Land of Standing Rocks
Golden Stairs
Orange Cliffs
You need to know what you're doing before you attempt to visit this area. You need a topographical map and a gps - and you need to know how to use them. You're 100 miles from nowhere - down axel-busting jeep trails where vehicles crawl along at 5 mph.
Park staff members are available by phone to answer questions and assist with trip planning Monday through Friday, 8 am to 12:30 pm Mountain Daylight Time, at 435-259-4351. (When workloads permit, phones may be answered until 4 pm.)
From the ranger station, the canyons of the Maze are another 3 to 6 hours by high-clearance, 4WD (more if traveling by foot). Another four-wheel-drive road leads into the Maze north from Highway 95 near Hite Marina (driving time is 3+ hours to the park boundary).
The Hans Flat Ranger Station is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is a small sales area with books and maps. There are no amenities like food or gas, no entrance fees and no potable water sources in the Maze District.
Most trailheads start from four-wheel-drive roads. Visitors with two-wheel-drive vehicles may park at the North Point Road junction, approximately 2.5 miles southeast of the Hans Flat Ranger Station, and hike 15 miles to the Maze Overlook. Depending on the vehicle, hikers may also be able to negotiate the 14-mile road to park at the top of the Flint Trail switchbacks. Another popular way for backpackers to reach the Maze is via jet boat shuttle from Moab. A two-hour shuttle provides access to Spanish Bottom on the Colorado River. From there, a foot trail climbs over 1,000 feet to the Doll House.