This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

If there is every really a slow time any more at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, it comes in late December, January and February.

And that means the two parks' visitor centers change hours or close for the season.

The Arches Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for Christmas Day when it closes.

The Needles Visitor Center in Canyonlands is closed until March 6.

The Island in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park closes Christmas Day and then will close for the winter on December 28 and reopen on March 3.

This doesn't mean that law enforcement rangers will not be on duty. They will be doing regular patrols at both parks.

Permits are required for all overnight backcountry use. They can be obtained online at http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/backcountry.htm or by visiting the Central Reservation Office at 2282 Resource Blvd. south of Moab Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. except federal holidays. Information about backcountry use may also be obtained by calling 435-259-4351.

Visitors wishing to stay overnight in the Needles district backcountry must obtain a permit from the self-registration station located on the front porch of the Needles visitor center.

Day lose permits are required for vehicle and bicycle travel on the Elephant Hill Road in Needles and the White Rim Road in Island in the Sky. Elephant Hill permits can be obtained at the self-registration station at the Needles visitor center. Permits for the White Rim Road are only available online 24 hours in advance of travel or the day of travel. Check road conditions. They could be closed due to weather issues.