Canyonlands National Park


Utah

Fast Facts


▪️ What the Park Protects: Mesas | Buttes | Canyons | Colorado River | Green River | Natural sandstone arches | Native American structures | Expansive colorful desert landscape
▪️ Year Established: 1964
▪️ Visitors in 2023: 800,322
▪️ Size: 527 sq. miles
▪️ Fun Fact: Many of the unimproved dirt roads found throughout Canyonlands were left behind by uranium prospectors who developed the roads in the 19th century

Tips & Recommendations

Canyonlands National Park consists of three distinct districts: Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze. If you count the Colorado & Green Rivers at the bottom of the park and the detached Horseshoe Canyon district, there are five districts in the park. Each of these areas requires significant drive time to reach from the other. I’ve broken up the hikes based on the first three districts, and I discuss other activities/suggestions as a group…

Notice: Click on an activity’s name for more information. All hikes, campgrounds, roads, and activities are accessible with RVs, campers, and large vehicles unless otherwise noted.

Must-Do Hikes

Island in the Sky:
Island in the Sky is Canyonlands’ most popular district. It consists of a mesa with short hikes & overlooks of the regions below it.
🥾 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:
The Needles is the district in Canyonlands for adventurous hikers. The district’s many trails – often 10+ miles long – navigate its fascinating namesake rock formations. 
🥾 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:
Canyonlands’ most remote district is not for the faint-hearted. To get here, you need a high-clearance, AWD vehicle. To explore the Maze, you need expert navigational skills, plenty of food and water, proper gear, and a taste for adventure.
🥾 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.

Must-Do Activities

🏜️ 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.
🚙 Off-Road Auto Touring
🚣 Rafting
🔭 Stargazing
⛺ Camping
🎒 Backpacking

Nearby Activities

🏞️ 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

General Tips

📅 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:
🧳 What to Bring:

Do’s & Don’ts

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Canyonlands Review

Natural Beauty

Though not as unique as other parts of the Colorado Plateau, Canyonlands is nonetheless a stunning display of the power of erosion. Sweeping canyon views, sandstone arches dotted through the park, interesting rock formations, and slot canyons create a diverse and memorable landscape.

Things to Do

With three distinct districts that offer adventures for visitors of all skill levels, along with rafting opportunities on the Colorado and Green Rivers, there is a lot to do in Canyonlands. You could spend anywhere from 1-5 days in the park without running out of things to see and do.

Accessibility

Canyonlands’ two most popular districts – Island in the Sky and the Needles – are easy to access by car from nearby Moab. The former offers lots to see and do for people of all ages and skill levels. Though it’s difficult to reach the park’s more remote areas, these areas are not imperative to an enjoyable experience in the park. 

Wildlife

Since Canyonlands is in a desert, wildlife is sparse in the park. If you’re lucky, you might spot a mule deer or coyote, but otherwise you will likely be greeted by the occasional songbird, chipmunk, or lizard scurrying across the ground.

Escapism

At Island in the Sky, it’s likely that you will encounter hikers, tourists, and photographers on almost every trail and busy parking lots at most viewpoints. To escape the crowds, you can venture out to the Needles or – if you’re brave enough – the Maze.

Personal Experience

Though Maria & I only had one day at Canyonlands National Park, we made the most of it by exploring every inch of Island in the Sky, which included some fun hikes and memorable moments. At a minimum, I’d love to return to the park to explore the Needles.

Gallery

Canyonlands National Park is undoubtedly most famous for its expansive mesas and canyons viewed from Island in the Sky. These formations are complimented by some unique features in other parts of the park, along with an uncommonly dark sky. Thanks to Jacob Scoles for the night sky photo!

External Links

▪️ Canyonlands National Park: NPS Site
▪️ Needles Campground Reservations
▪️ Discover Moab
▪️ Moab Adventure Center

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