Island in the Sky:
🥾 Mesa Arch (0.7 miles, 88 feet elev. gain): Canyonlands’ most popular hike takes visitors to Mesa Arch, a “window” into the landscapes below Island in the Sky. It’s a popular spot to watch sunrise, almost to a fault.
🥾 Grand View Point (1.8 miles, 164 feet elev. gain): Though you could settle for the drive-up overlook at Grand View, it’s much more rewarding to hike the nearby trail to the southern tip of Island in the Sky.
🥾 Upheaval Dome (1.3 miles, 226 feet elev. gain): Upheaval Dome is a bizarre formation whose geologic history is still a mystery. No matter how it was made, it’s a very cool formation to view. This hike takes you past two overlooks of Upheaval Dome – you can turn around at the first overlook to shorten the hike to 0.7 miles.
🥾 Aztec Butte (1.6 miles, 249 feet elev. gain): This short hike visits the top of two small buttes. The first takes hikers to an alcove with abandoned Puebloan structures. The second offers a walkaround with views of a nearby canyon and requires a tricky scramble to reach the top.
🥾 Gooseberry Trail (4.2 miles, 1,548 feet elev. gain): There are many trails at Island in the Sky that descend below its namesake mesa, and the Gooseberry Trail is the shortest of these. The trail quickly descends down a steep rock face, eventually reaching a wash that leads to the rim of Gooseberry Canyon. If you embark on this trail, remember that you have to climb back up after you descend.

The Needles:
🥾 Cave Spring (0.6 miles, 59 feet elev. gain): Guiding you to historic cowboy camps and prehistoric rock markings, this short trail is a worthwhile stop in the Needles area. Be prepared to climb two ladders.
🥾 Slickrock (2.4 miles, 137 feet elev. gain): This short but demanding hike navigates a bare rock surface with 360-degree views into the surrounding canyons.
🥾 Druid Arch (9.7 miles, 1,446 feet elev. gain): This out-and-back hike cuts through the Needles’ unique rock spires before reaching Druid Arch, a spectacular sandstone arch with a unique shape.
🥾 Chesler Park Loop (10.2 miles, 1,794 feet elev. gain): Hitting many of the highlights of the Needles district, the Chesler Park Loop is a memorable all-day hike. You’ll experience no shortage of the Needles’ namesake rock spires along with some great overlooks and challenging climbs. Bring lots of water for this one. You can turn around at the Chesler Park Viewpoint for a shorter hike with some of the same views.

The Maze:
To explore the Maze, you need expert navigational skills, plenty of food and water, proper gear, and a taste for adventure. Reaching this remote district requires a high-clearance, AWD vehicle.
🥾 None: In the Maze, there are virtually zero marked trails. AllTrails lists the Maze Overlook Trail which requires maneuvering up and around slick sandstone. In the nearby Horseshoe Canyon unit, the park offers occasional guided ranger hikes. Otherwise, this area is unmarked and remote – explore at your own risk.

🏜️ Island in the Sky Overlooks: If you’re driving through Island in the Sky, you’d be remiss not to stop at some of the many overlooks along the road. Grand View, the Green River Overlook, and Shafer Canyon Viewpoint are a few of the most stunning stops.
🌄 Sunrise at Mesa Arch: Since Mesa Arch faces east, it has become an immensely popular place to watch the sunrise. Tourists, photographers, and hikers alike flock to Mesa Arch every morning to witness the sun illuminate this window into Canyonlands National Park.
🚙 Off-Road Auto Touring: The park’s many dirt roads provide ample opportunity for backcountry adventures on 4 wheels. Navigating these roads requires high-clearance, low range all-wheel-drive vehicles, and ATVs are not allowed. White Rim Road is the most “chill” one to journey on. Permits are required for day use on many of the park’s backcountry roads, and overnight trips in roadside campsites require a backcountry permit. Mountain biking is another way to explore the park’s backcountry roads.
🚣 Boating: With multiple rivers flowing through Canyonlands National Park, it should come as no surprise that water activities are a great thing to do there. You can engage in flatwater trips on the Colorado & Green Rivers, whitewater trips in Cataract Canyon, or even packrafting to explore the park’s nooks & crannies. There are a handful of outfitters that offer guided trips on the park’s waterways.
🔭 Stargazing: With one of the darkest night skies in the country, Canyonlands is an incredible place to observe the stars. Bring binoculars or a telescope and a headlamp with red light functionality if you want to enjoy the night sky to its fullest. Check the park’s calendar during your visit to try and attend a ranger-led night sky program.
⛺ Camping: To enjoy some solitude in the park and to fully experience its night sky, camping offers a unique way to experience Canyonlands.
🎒 Backpacking: Overnight backpacking trips in Canyonlands require lots of preparation but can be immensely rewarding. Overnight stays in the park’s backcountry require a permit, which can be hard to nab during peak season.

🏜️ Dead Horse Point State Park: Only 15 minutes from the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, Dead Horse Point offers similarly exciting views as those seen in Canyonlands. The park offers several worthwhile hikes and also hosts two campgrounds.
🏞️ Arches National Park: Some of America’s most iconic natural features are located in this small park. Arches is packed densely with memorable hikes and overlooks, so you’d be remiss not to spend a day here. Be prepared to deal with lots of tourists here. Also, remember that you need a timed entry ticket if visiting during peak hours.
🏙️ Moab: Unless you’re camping in or near Canyonlands, you’ll most likely be staying in the nearby town of Moab during your visit. The town features plenty of guided outdoor activities, restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops.
🏞️ Capitol Reef National Park: Capitol Reef is home to a dense collection of memorable hikes, some scenic drives, and the historic Fruita district. It’s a worthwhile member of Utah’s five national parks, and it’s worth spending a day or two exploring it’s landscapes.

📅 When to Visit: Canyonlands offers things to see and do year-round, but the best weather is in late spring (March-May) and fall (October-November). If you choose to visit in the heat of summer or cold of winter, you may find fewer crowds but your experience in the park probably won’t be as enjoyable.
⌚ How Long to Visit: The time you spend in Canyonlands depends heavily on what you want to see and do. If your goal is to visit only Island in the Sky, plan for 1 day. If you want to hike in the Needles, too, plan for an additional day. If you’re brave enough to visit the Maze or you’re planning a rafting trip, each of those excursions merit one extra day. At a minimum, I’d recommend 2 days to explore Island in the Sky and visit the Needles.
🚗 How to Get There: Canyonlands is accessible by car from the nearby city of Moab. If visiting from outside the state, Salt Lake City houses the closest major airport to Moab and is 3.5 hours from the park.
🛏️ Where to Stay: Canyonlands has two campgrounds, Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) and the Needles Campground. The former is first-come, first-serve, the latter takes reservations. Outside the park, the BLM operates a number of campgrounds. If you don’t want to camp, you’re best bet is to stay in the nearby city of Moab.
🧳 What to Bring: If you only plan to visit Island in the Sky, bring sun protection, hiking footwear, and a pair of binoculars. Carry water with you at all times, 1 liter for shorter hikes and 4 liters for long hikes. If visiting the Needles, bring additional hiking gear (like poles and a hiking pack) and an emergency radio. If visiting the Maze, come prepared with ropes, plenty of food & water, emergency transponders, sun protection, and any other specialty gear needed to accommodate your itinerary.

✅ DO come prepared with sun protection, as shade in Canyonlands is scarce.
✅ DO plan for at least 2 days in Canyonlands if you like hiking – 1 day for Island in the Sky and 1 day for the Needles.
❌ DON’T venture to the Maze district unless you’re well-prepared. Bring plenty of supplies, the proper gear, and a high-clearance, AWD vehicle.
❌ DON’T embark on any hikes without enough water. Bring 1 liter per person per every 2 miles of hiking, and more if it’s hot.
❌ DON’T venture off the trails in Canyonlands. Your steps can be damaging to fragile biological soil crust, and wandering in the wrong direction could lead you off a deadly cliff edge.