Fodor's Expert Review Hans Flat Ranger Station

Only experienced and intrepid visitors will likely ever visit this remote outpost—on a dirt road 46 miles east of Highway 24 in Hanksville. The office is a trove of books, maps, and other documents about the unforgiving Maze District of Canyonlands, but rangers will strongly dissuade any inexperienced off-road drivers and backpackers from proceeding into this truly rugged wilderness. There's a vault toilet, but no water, food, or services of any kind. If you're headed for the backcountry, permits cost $36 per group plus $5 per person for up to 14 days. Rangers offer guided hikes in Horseshoe Canyon on most weekends in spring and fall.

Call the ranger station for road conditions leading to Horseshoe Canyon/Hans Flat as rain can make travel difficult.