This week's adventure took us through the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, and every stop seemed to top the last. Stop #1: Island in the Sky Visitor Center Started the day with incredible views overlooking the famous Shafer Trail, with its dramatic switchbacks winding down the canyon walls. It's an amazing introduction to the park's vast landscape. Stop #2: Aztec Butte A short hike led us to ancient Puebloan granaries tucked into the sandstone cliffs. Standing where people lived and stored food hundreds of years ago adds a whole new layer to the scenery. Stop #3: Upheaval Dome One of Canyonlands' biggest mysteries! Scientists still debate whether this enormous crater-like formation was created by a meteorite impact or the collapse of an underground salt dome. Whatever its origin, it's a fascinating place to explore. Canyonlands is massive, rugged, and absolutely unforgettable. Every overlook makes you feel tiny in the best possible way. read more

As part of our quest to visit all 63 U.S. national parks, we set off on a six week road trip. I have a personal rule: I only count a national park as "visited" if I actually spend time there, hike or walk through it, and truly experience it. On this trip, we visited 14 national parks, and Canyonlands National Park was another fascinating stop in our Utah adventure. Canyonlands is a park of enormous scale. It is hard to truly understand the size of this landscape until you are standing at the viewpoints looking out over endless canyons, mesas, and cliffs carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers over millions of years. The views are dramatic and humbling. Located close to Moab, Canyonlands has a very different atmosphere from some of the quieter parks we visited. Moab itself is like an outdoor playground, especially for people who love off-road adventures, mountain biking, dirt bikes, four-wheel drives, and exploring the backcountry. That energy definitely carries into the park. Of all the parks we visited on this trip, Canyonlands was probably the busiest and, personally, not one of my favorites. That does not mean it was not beautiful. It absolutely was. It just has a different feeling. Much of Canyonlands is experienced from above, looking down into the incredible maze of canyons below. Getting into the deeper parts of the canyon system requires more time, preparation, and often specialized equipment, especially if you want to explore beyond the main viewpoints. Since we only had two days, we focused on hiking and exploring the more accessible areas. I enjoyed several beautiful trails, including the hike to Mesa Arch, one of the park's most iconic viewpoints. Seeing the arch framing the vast canyon landscape beyond it was spectacular. We also explored other overlooks and trails where the views seemed to go on forever. One challenge for us was accessibility. My husband has mobility limitations, and Canyonlands does not offer as many easy, accessible trails or paved perimeter paths compared with some other national parks. Many of the experiences are geared more toward people who want longer hikes, rugged trails, or backcountry adventures. That said, Canyonlands is still an impressive place. The sheer size, the geology, and the views are unforgettable. Standing above those massive canyons gives you a sense of the incredible forces that shaped this land over millions of years. For visitors who love hiking, off-road exploration, backpacking, or seeing landscapes from dramatic viewpoints, Canyonlands is definitely worth visiting. For us, it was not the emotional favorite of the trip, but it was still an important piece of the incredible diversity we experienced across America's national parks. read more

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One of Utah's awesome 5 national parks and one that you should check out. Also located in Moab along with the much busier Arches, this is still worth a visit for sure. You'll likely be able to get in pretty easily and park at each of the trails and viewpoints. There are some great sights and plenty of easy trails. I'm not much of a hiker but there are some easier trails that even beginners should be able to handle at a reasonable pace. Good facilities throughout and places to stop for a quick bite. Check this place out. read more

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This is one of my new fav national parks, hands down. I happened to come on a day that the weather wasn't great, but wasn't the worst either-- it was windy, somewhat cold, and there were scattered showers that turned into sleet that was most severe while I was on the grand overlook trail (about 1-2 miles round trip; do note it was sleeting sideways with the wind on my way back). I had good views of the basin at the visitor center and on the mesa arch trails but the views along grand overlook did get washed out by the clouds/fog so my view at the grand overlook viewpoint at the end of the trail was pretty obscured (could see the big rock in the middle, but nothing farther in the distance). All this said -- despite the weather not being "ideal," the park is just stunning (at least Island in the Sky is -- I didn't make it to the three other parts of the park due to time and lack of an AWD vehicle). Even just the view of monument basin at the Island in the Sky visitor center, mesa arch, and the start of grand overlook trail absolutely made my visit. It's just absolutely stunning and really has that iconic southern Utah/northern Arizona American charm, like what you experience at the Oljato Monument Valley/Forest Gump viewpoint. I absolutely rec a visit to anyone visiting Utah. If you can only make it to a couple national parks due to time, then Zion and Canyonlands would be my rec. read more

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I didn't think I was afraid of heights, but this place is humbling. What an amazing world we live in! Get out there and live in awe!! read more

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Finally finished the 4th national park of the Mighty Five Utah parks. Arches, Bryce Canyon, Zion are the 3 major ones that are the most explored. The starting point was a mile from the Canyonlands Visitor Center on the Grand View Point/Island in the Sky Road. Taking the Rubicon down the canyon on the Shafer Trail / Potash Road route was a bit scary but fun too! You will definitely need a 4wd vehicle to descend 1500 feet (or up the path depending which way you start) as it's a 20 mile unpaved road. I believe the total time to reach the bottom of the canyon with all the switchbacks was about 30 minutes. Towards the bottom there is - fork: one to go back to Moab and I believe the other to Goosenecks overlook which will need a permit either purchased at the visitor center or online. The park ranger was so kind to take photos for us. We went on our way through the canyon. We traveled with another car for a total of 8 of us. We picnicked with a view of the river. Had some cup of noodles, strawberries, apples, snacks and some beverages. We brought a huge umbrella for shade, some camping chairs and picnic blanket. It started to sprinkle as we were done eating. We passed the Potash evaporation ponds which is a vibrant blue due to potassium salt crystallization. Its beautiful. We spent 3-4 hours of drive and stop for photos and picnicking. This was well worth the views and adventure! read more

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Fear of heights/ cliffs will be nerve wracking for the person. But it's doable in an AWD vehicle. IF you continue on Potash Rd you will need a full SUV type clearance and 4WD vehicle. Ranger gave inadequate advice re:vehicular clearance for this road. We went to Gooseneck overlook ( think Thelma and Louise end of movie) and back up to enjoy the rest of the Canyonlands. read more

Canyonlands National Park - Parks Near Me - Moab, Utah

Another National Park that deserves a good write up. We did the Island in the Sky drive and it was an easy loop, plan for at least two hours, stopping at various viewpoints it took us close to three hours, very impressed by the size of the Canyon and very comparable to the Grand Canyon without the crowds, believe it or not it is the LARGEST National Park in Utah I would go back to Utah and spend a week in each Park just exploring read more

Canyonlands National Park - Parks Near Me - Moab, Utah

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I visited the Island in the Sky District. It's the most accessible and unfortunately I couldn't visit any of the other portions of the park due to time constraints. I came from visiting Arches National Park, and the atmosphere is totally different. While Arches has you focus on the rock formations right in front of you, Canyonlands has you contemplating the landscape for miles on end. There is also a famous arch here, Mesa Arch, which is accessible by a short hike. You can look through the arch to see the landscape that stretches under and beyond it. The views are breathtaking and it makes you feel tiny in comparison to the landscape surrounding you. I would definitely return to visit the other districts! read more

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Canyonlands National Park is absolutely beautiful and offers a completely different landscape than Arches. It is pet-friendly, but only in limited front-country areas--dogs must remain leashed and are not allowed on hiking trails, overlooks, backcountry routes, or inside buildings. Because of this, we first drove around the park with Luna so she could take in the views from the car. Just a tip: never leave your dog unattended in the car here, especially with the sun and heat. After dropping Luna back at the hotel to rest, my husband and I explored several hikes and viewpoints: Mesa Arch - A must-see. It's only 0.75 miles round trip, easy to moderate, and took us about 30 minutes including photo stops. There are a few steps, but nothing too challenging. We went on an overcast 70° day, which was perfect-hotter weather would make it tougher. Upheaval Dome - 1.44 miles round trip with 288 feet of elevation gain. It took us about 1 hour 12 minutes including breaks. This trail is more on the moderate-to-difficult side, especially with the climb to the first and second overlooks. Green River Overlook - Not really a hike, more of a quick stop. You park and walk a short paved path to the viewpoint for sweeping views of the Green River. Buck Canyon Overlook - Another easy, paved viewpoint with stunning canyon views. Orange Cliffs Overlook - A short paved path leads to a wide-open vista, perfect for photos. Shafer Trail Road - This ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. It's a 32-mile off-road drive that took us about 2.5 hours going 5-15 mph, including stops for photos. The road has tight turns, gravel, and rocks, so a 4x4 is absolutely necessary-small cars would not make it. We hadn't planned to do the whole route but decided to go for it, and it was breathtaking. We even met another couple along the way, which gave us peace of mind, and they were kind enough to share photos of us driving ahead of them. Canyonlands has so many incredible viewpoints and trails that you could easily spend a full day or more exploring. Even though Luna couldn't join us on the trails, she loved the scenic drive and enjoyed the ride. Entry is $20 per vehicle (or covered if you have the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass). read more

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Each national park is beautiful and different from all the others. And this was no different. So serene and peaceful being up and just sitting and taking in the air and just watching the ravens fly. read more

Canyonlands National Park - Parks Near Me - Moab, Utah

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Canyonlands National Park is absolutely stunning. The views are vast and otherworldly, endless canyons, dramatic cliffs, and sunsets that look unreal. The park is quieter than many others, which makes the overlooks and trails feel peaceful and spacious. Bring plenty of water, start early, and don't rush, this place deserves time. A must-visit for anyone who loves wide-open landscapes and dramatic scenery. read more

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Stunning national park. There are hiking trails but also some of the most beautiful sites you can see from view points on the road or in under a mile hike so truly something for everyone! At the end of October it wasn't busy at all and there was ample parking at the sites we visited during the day. read more

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Canyonlands National Park absolutely blew me away! From the moment you arrive, you're surrounded by jaw dropping canyon vistas that look like they've been painted by nature itself (or aliens). The Candlestick Tower view was a favorite of ours, we even detoured on a short side trail just to get an even better look, and it was worth the extra steps. The park is full of short, accessible hikes and overlooks that reward you with sweeping, panoramic views. Mesa Arch is a must see whether you catch it at sunrise or under a bright sky, the view through the arch to the canyon beyond is unforgettable. We found that every stop felt unique one moment you're looking out over layered red rock mesas, and the next you're deep into winding canyons carved by the Colorado River. While some spots can get busy, especially during peak times, the sheer scale of the park means you'll still find peaceful, quiet moments to take it all in. Canyonlands feels like a smaller, more intimate cousin to the Grand Canyon majestic, inspiring, and impossible to forget. If you're anywhere near Moab, not a place you want to miss. read more

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I rolled into Canyonlands National Park just after sunrise, and the landscape looked like the Earth had been torn open and frozen in time. It was vast, wild, and completely humbling -- like staring into the pages of a geology textbook that decided to show off. I started at Island in the Sky, where the overlook drops off into a tangled web of canyons, cliffs, and winding rivers far below. The view stretched so far it didn't feel real -- like I was looking at another planet. Every turn on the trail opened up a new vista: massive stone mesas, red rock fins, arches sculpted by time and wind. Even the silence felt ancient. Hiking to Mesa Arch at dawn was a highlight. I stood there with a handful of others as the sun rose, glowing gold beneath the arch like someone lit the desert on fire. Cameras clicked, but no photo could really capture it. It was one of those moments you feel more than see. Canyonlands doesn't try to entertain you -- it dares you to slow down and just be. No crowds, no chaos, just raw nature in every direction. It's the kind of place that makes your worries feel small and your spirit feel wide open. By the time I left, sunburned and dusty, I wasn't ready to go. Canyonlands doesn't just show you the desert -- it lets you feel how deep time runs through it. And if you let it, it'll shift something inside you too. read more

Canyonland National Park is the largest national park in Utah. Visiting this park is similar to a visit to the Grand Canyon. Although the Grand Canyon is much deeper, canyonland is wider. There is a small visitor at the entrance with a short movie about the Canyon and some merchandise. We drove on the paved road to the Grand View Point, which gives beautiful panoramic views of the Canyon. Canyonland National Park is a short distance from the Arches National Park. Both are well worth a visit. read more

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We spent our first day in Moab here, and it was well worth the day! There are hikes of various difficulties so everyone has something to do. We did more hikes than lookout points, but there did seem to be plenty of lookout points if hikes aren't your cup of tea. The views of the canyons are absolutely breathtaking. Our favorite trail here ended up being one somewhat off the beaten path. Definitely go do White Rim Overlook trail, you won't regret it! read more

Canyonlands National Park - *No me's were harmed in the taking of this photograph* - Parks Near Me - Moab, Utah

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Canyonlands is one of our great national parks. The Island in the Sky section is beautiful at the rim with wonderful views. There are a handful of easier trails up there including a paved one with overlooks. It does get busy depending on the time of year and the line of cars gets very long, but they do give you an estimate of how long it'll be... Sometimes that's two hours. My favorite part of Canyonlands is easily the Needles Section. This area is south of Moab but well worth the drive. There are a lot of very majestic hikes and the crowds are a few. Both areas have visitors centers. Definitely worth a stop, but if I had to pick a section, I would head to the needles. Either way you won't be disappointed. read more

Canyonlands is HUGE! I thought there were three districts, and just found out that there are actually 4. It will take you multiple days to see all of them, as they are not connected, and can take 4-6 hours to get to from one another. The 2 you are most likely to visit are Island in the Sky and The Needles, the closest ones to Moab. In both districts, there is not a bad overlook anywhere. Everywhere is amazing and beautiful, and jaw dropping. My favorite place in Island of the Sky is the Shaffer Trail overlook. On my first visit, I was in awe watching the vehicles navigating the switchbacks and thought about how scary it must be driving down there. Little did I know that within 5 years, I would be a passenger in a jeep driving up that very trail! If you're afraid of heights, yes, it will be scary. The trail is narrow and there aren't very many places to pull over in case of oncoming traffic. Usually, whoever is closest to the cliff wall pulls as close to it as they can to let the other vehicle pass. It was great fun, and I really appreciated the scenery from a different viewpoint. My favorite place in The Needles is Mesa Arch. The hike to it is short and not terribly difficult. I love how you can make the arch frame your photos, be the center of attention, or ignore it by shooting through it. I also love the drive TO The Needles. Whereas everywhere you drive in and around the parks is desert-ish, at one point on the road to the park, you end up in what is essentially the bottom of a canyon. Its lush and green, and a small river runs through it. Here you get to visit Newspaper Rock, a State Historic Site of centuries old petroglyphs. If you have a National Parks Passport book, you can get stamps in both districts mentioned. I don't know about the other two, as I haven't been. The visitors centers at both locations have essentially the exact same stuff, but the quality and variety is wonderful. We ended up with postcards, magnets, shirts and a very nice puzzle. Everyone knows about nearby Arches, but I think Canyonlands is often overlooked for the Grand Canyon. Do yourself a favor and include Canyonlands the next time you're in Moab; you will not be disappointed! 56/2024 read more

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Is it bad to give a national park 3/5? We stayed in the Island in the Sky district and just didn't feel like it compared to other parks. We did several easy/moderate hikes and looked at the viewpoints. A very cool view, but not much differentiation. Visitor center was smaller than most, but still helpful. read more

Canyonlands National Park - Mesa Arch - Parks Near Me - Moab, Utah

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Nice National park! The Mesa Arch was really cool and they had a lot of scenic pullouts. It was a nice to see all of the desert landscape as well as spectacular canyons. The prickly pears were very cool, and so were the juniper trees. The rangers also knew a lot about the national park and were able to assist guests with itineraries for their visits. Also, if you're visiting with kids, check out the junior ranger programs. read more

Wow! Just wow! All the canyons were incredible to witness in person. I especially enjoyed the candlestick tower view, we even went on a little side quest to get a better look! Lots of fun little hikes to go on, we saw lots of families and children on trails too. read more

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Love this park. We had a parks pass but didn't need it because of the government shutdown. The visitor center was open and I bought some souvenir coins and made a donation to the park. We appreciate the park rangers who were on hand giving information and issuing permits for the Shafer Trail Road we wanted to be on. You can drive it a certain way and then it's by permit. Restrooms were still maintained and we were grateful. We were given a map and off we went. The road was fine and then it got challenging. Definitely have a four wheel drive vehicle and if you have a higher clearance and less wide vehicle it helps. We encountered someone coming down as we were going up who wasn't good at navigating their vehicle to allow us to pass. Vehicles heading up has right of way. We tried to look out for vehicles so we could wait for them but it's challenging in certain spots. But people are nice and we all made way and maneuvered around each other. It was fun but nerve wracking to drive. Beautiful scenery. Need more time to explore the rest of the park. read more

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Canyonlands is stunning. I once paddle boarded down the green river here, my first experience and it was amazing. It was so great to see it from above and to explore so much of Canyonlands. Our friend definitely didn't love it due to he don't like heights and all the cliffs but he did it. There are also some 4x4 trails you can do like Gemini Bridges. Visitor Center was good. read more

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Canyonlands National Park was our last NP to visit of Utah's 5 parks, and gotta say, while beautiful, it's a bit underwhelming after seeing the other 4 first. That's not to say that Canyonlands doesn't have a lot to offer, though. It was so incredibly hot while we were there, so we planned our day around short hikes and overlooks. We also only had a compact car and were staying in Moab, so we stuck in the Island in the Sky district during our visit. The line to get in through this entrance can get pretty long, so be prepared for long waits to get in during peak times. They have a nice visitor center here worth a stop. Good information, a nice bookstore, and plenty of clean bathrooms. Great first stop is Mesa Arch. It's absolutely beautiful to witness the sunrise here, and the view is phenomenal. Short 0.6 mile roundtrip, rocky walk with the arch in the middle. Parking lot is small, so it can be difficult to find a spot. But my favorite spot we visited in Canyonlands. A couple good overlooks are the Buck Canyon Overlook and the Green River Overlook. Worth a few minutes to park and get some nice views of the park. Hiking to Upheaval Dome is another short hike that's worth it. About 1.2 miles roundtrip, this is a more moderate hike w/ minimal shade cover. Gorgeous views of Upheaval dome, though. The Aztec Butte hike was my second favorite activity of the trip (behind Mesa Arch). Definitely a more difficult hike as you're climbing up a more steep mountain side, but the hike itself is fun and gives wide-ranging views of Canyonlands. It can get so incredibly hot here, especially in the summer months. Make sure you plan ahead - plenty of water and sunscreen, wear a hat, and take plenty of breaks to cool down. Overall, CNP is an enjoyable national park and one of the better ones. However, compared to Utah's other national parks, CNP would not be top of my list for a return visit. read more

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I will start by saying Canyonlands is beautiful, no doubt BUUUTTT visiting after having just seen Arches, it can be a bit underwhelming. Also, living in Arizona and having been to the Grand Canyon many times, I can't help but think of Canyonlands as the 'Great Value' version of the Grand Canyon, lol. Of course I kidd a little about this. Unless doing some of the hikes (no cover so get them done before it gets too warm) the north side of the park can be done in about half a day. I unfortunately didn't get to visit the south side of the park this visit. It was less busy than Arches NP so that was refreshing. I would also recommend making a stop at Deadhorse State Park which is right outside the park entrance. read more

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Great hiking for all levels of experience. Beautiful views of the canyons and rock structures everywhere you look. I can't wait to go back and wander into areas like Needles. read more

This is probably the most underrated and overlooked national park that I've visited. It's got crazy hikes, a crater, a river, and a whole host of various rock formations, petroglyphs, scenic drives and overlooks, as well as a nice visitor center thats got all the things you need as far as souvenirs, maps, advice from a park ranger and more. I love it. Additionally, it's in close proximity to Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park, so if you're in this area make it a point to visit all 3. Don't skip any. Do all 3. If you have a chance and the weather permits drive the Shafer Trail. You can start near the Island in the Sky Visitor Center and spend an entire day driving across the base of the canyon, exiting the park near Moab when you're done. You need a vehicle with a little ground clearance, but you don't necessarily have to have some big jeep or truck. I did it in a Honda HR-V and it was only sketchy on one small section, and it really wasn't that sketchy at all. This drive was probably one of the coolest things I've ever done in a national park. Words can't explain it. Just amazing. This park is in the desert and it is large and there are sections of it that are really remote. Plan accordingly. It's a dark sky area so if you're looking to see the whole milky way right in front of your face, check the weather, go when the skies are clear and take that in. Cell service and GPS can be spotty, so download your maps etc and plan around that, (Don't get lost). If you're visiting the area, Moab has all the bars and restaurants and hotels etc, but you can stay in Green River as well and save a few bucks if you're just passing through or working on a budget. Wide open skies, canyons for days, not crowded, crazy scenic drives, dark skies, high desert climate, services within a reasonable range of the park, several other nearby parks, what else could you ask for? If you're thinking about it, make the time and go. You will not regret it. This place is amazing. read more

Canyonlands National Park - Parks Near Me - Moab, Utah

Vibe: Cross-country trip Location: outside Moab, Utah Fees: $30/single axle car Advice: join National Park ($80) get in free Drive time: allow 2 hours at least I was here first part of May. Crowds were low and driving easy. Plenty of overlook opportunities, if you just want to get out and take pics (like me). There's plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities, if you're into that sort of thing. Hiking trails appear well maintained. If traveling with a pet, just know they are not allowed on trails or overlooks. read more

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It's near to Arches NP. Mesa Arch is must see. If you have time, you should also cover these areas: - Green River Overlook - Candlestick Tower Overlook - Buck Canyon Overlook - Grand View Point Trailhead, Grand View Point, Grand View Point Overlook - Shafer Trail Viewpoint read more

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Short walks from the parking lot to view points with big open vistas of the beautiful canyons below. Almost feels like a small Grand Canyon. We visited Mesa Arch to try to catch the sunrise but unfortunately it was a cloudy morning so we weren't able to see the arch lit up. It was still beautiful. Definitely recommend a stop in this National Park. The Visitor Center is great too with a really friendly staff and restrooms on site. There are only pit toilets in other areas of the park. read more

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I can't believe Canyonlands is the least visited NP in Utah! We had such a great time checking this park out. Especially if you're in Moab already or visiting Arches, it is absolutely worth a stop by the island in the sky district. We didn't have time to get down to needles, but we still spent hours in the island district. Highly recommend taking the short hike to the Mesa arch at a minimum. I'm not a hiker but it was no problem. So many great viewpoints and hikes from beginner to expert level available here though. Pictures don't do it Justice (they never do!). Even if you just drive through and stop at view points, you'll see some great sights. Be sure to stop by the visitor center for information or a souvenir. Everyone was friendly. Restrooms are typical outdoor park restrooms, but they weren't too bad. Pack a few snacks because you might be here longer than you'd think. read more

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I absolutely loved Canyonlands. I think a strong case could be made that it is Utah's best national park. And while I know that is a controversial statement, well it's subjective anyway! Take a look at my in depth review at www.wanderin2wonder.com/canyonlands. Canyonlands has such a variety of beautiful terrain from the soaring Mesa area of Island in the Sky to the rugged canyon country below the Mesa. It has raging rivers and rafting trips. It has the Maze which has to be one of the most secluded national parks in Utah. And it has the Needles, which is just an Alice in Wonderland of geological variety with several phenomenal hikes. You can 4x4 on White Rim Road and Shafer Trail, you can fly drones in the BLM lands just outside the park, including Dead Horse (Nov to February), Navajo Rocks, Gemini Bridges, Long Canyon, Shafer Trail (outside the park), Potash Road, etc. There is just so much to do in such beautiful country that I'm astounded that Arches is more popular. The Needles area is roughly the same size as Arches and gets 1/10th the number of people. Go there and hike beautiful country almost entirely by yourself. We just got back from a weeklong trip and had hours and hours basking in majestic beauty almost completely by ourselves. read more

Canyonlands National Park - The Needles! - Parks Near Me - Moab, Utah

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This review is for White Rim Overlook Trail which was a ~1.8 miles round trip that took ~1 hours to complete. Highly recommend doing this trail when the skies are clear! Easy and mostly flat with minimal elevation changes. Stunning views near the end! Limited parking at trailhead. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/da_EhG9U_aU read more

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This park was amazing! The views, the trails and the drives were spectacular! We drove the Schafer Road trail and it was fantastic! We were a wee bit nervous in parts and got a bit spooked after dark but it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience! We survived! read more

Canyonlands National Park - Schafer Road - Parks Near Me - Moab, Utah

Canyonlands National Park; The least visited national park of Utah's mighty five and the most charming in my humble opinion. Not only is this masterpiece void of the heavy crowds that flock to the other parks, but the park is exponential in size and there's a whole lotta views to go around. It's super remote but that's what makes it even that more enjoyable. I had the pleasure of exploring Canyonlands for one day and one day only. It was marvelous. The canyons and arches are simply beautiful. Since I only had one day to explore, I visited the most accessible part of the park which is known as the Island in the Sky district. There's a visitor center with helpful posted guides and knowledgeable rangers on site to answer questions and to suggest itineraries. The ranger that I spoke with gave me some excellent suggestions of area to check out in the park during my time there. Starting at the visitor center, I was able to instantly take in the picturesque views of the canyons. The fact that some of the best views of the park are literally located within just a few feet from the visitor center is pretty unreal. You don't have to go too far to experience the beauty in this park. But that little taste of a view near the entrance will make you want to explore more. I explored a few vistas and did several small hikes during my visit. Here's a list of the places that I explored while in the Island in the Sky district: Shafer Canyon Overlook: Excellent 360 degree views of the deep canyon! I believe this is the first vista point past the visitor center. It's a super short walk to the vista point but worth the stop. I saw jeeps navigating the switchback roads of the canyon. Insane views! Mesa Arch: The main attraction in the Island in the Sky district and such a beautiful arch. It's more like a natural bridge than an arch, but you can literally stand underneath it or walk right on top. The busiest stop at the park but it really isn't busy. Lots of parking and a short moderate hike through desert like terrain. Had lunch here overlooking the arch and the canyon and it was extraordinary. A must do! Whale Rock: Another great short hike with some amazing views. This hike is a bit gnarly although it's short, and you basically are scaling up, down, and between slick rocks with no real hiking path to follow. There are cairns to help keep you on track. The view of Whale Rock from the bottom is neat, but being on top of the rock is amazing! A bit scary with the slick rock and heights but fun. Also suuuper hot and dry but a nice breeze at the top. Also super secluded. Only saw one other couple on the trail on the way back down. Upheaval Dome (Via Crater View): My favorite hike! Short but steep and rocky. Some nice challenging inclines that will get your heart pumping. Hot and dry! Water and sunscreen is is an absolute must. The colorful crater is so neat to see but the best views are at top. Sweeping panoramic views of the canyons and valley. It's breathtaking. Getting to the end can be challenging and doubtful, but do it. The best experience within this part of the park in my opinion. Buck Canyon Overlook: a short walk to the most picturesque views of this deep canyon! You will feel like you're in the clouds. You'll see the clouds cast shadows in the canyon. So colorful and a great place for panoramic pictures and self portraits with a beautiful background. Green River Overlook: Excellent views of the deep channel of the Green River. The sights are so unreal here. You won't believe that what you're seeing is real and isn't in a picture frame in front of you. Island in the Sky Scenic Drive: The entire drive is about 24 miles long and you can easily do it while you're stopping at the vistas and hikes within the park. Super scenic, peaceful, and remote. A lovely drive through the park. There are many more hikes and landmarks, but these were the ones that I was able to see in a day. Also, bring plenty of water and later up on the sunscreen. There is virtually no shade anywhere and the only place that has a water station is at the visitor center which is at the entrance to the park. If you need water, get it there. There are restrooms located all throughout the park and at most hiking trails. Such an amazing experience! Don't let this lesser known park fool you; it's underrated in so many ways. I loved visiting this park and it is actually my 2nd favorite Utah National Park (right behind Bryce). If you're planning a trip to Moab, I'd highly recommend you visit Canyonlands while you're here. read more

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The wait to get past the gate to enter Canyon Lands National Park, May 3, 2025 was over an hour. Wife and I turned around Thank you 45 minutes when we could see about a mile of vehicles waiting to get past the gate. We have a NPS park pass but there is no bypass entrance gate for pass holders. So you wait while someone has to pay or buys a NPS pass, which takes time. Really wanted in, but the wait there is no excuse for this. I am not sure you can or if there is any delay, but off US191 is a road called Potash. That is where you would come out from the park if you enter by the gate. Enter that way, no wait, no fees read more

Because everyone should experience a sunrise at Mesa Arch at least once in their lives. Canyonlands National Park shouldn't be skipped. Often referred to as Moab's after thought (we love you, Arches), Canyonlands National Park is a desert landscape with deep canyons, notable buttes and scenic views of the mountains in the distance, as well as multiple rivers that have divided the park into four quadrants. FIRST TIMERS: I cannot recommend our itinerary enough. Explore the Island of the Sky part of the park. It's the most accessible from Moab and you get to see the "greatest hits" of Canyonlands. This quadrant was an easy 45 minute drive from our hotel in Moab. SUNRISE AT MESA ARCH // This was spectacular. In early February, sunrise was around 7:15am. We arrived to the parking lot just before 7:00am and hiked an entire five minutes to get to the arch. It doesn't get easier than this. There were about 15-20 of us there, including many photographers, basking in its beauty. Hands down one of the best sunrises I've ever seen. The views through Mesa Arch and overlooking the canyon (with the stunning La Sal Mountains in the distance) were extraordinary. AN ABSOLUTE MUST that takes minimal effort. In terms of the rest of the park, it's easy to navigate. We visited multiple lookout points, hiking trails, etc. The other stand outs were The Shafer Trail (near the visitor center), Upheaval Dome, Green River Overlook and Grand View Overlook. Some really interesting geological formations to beautiful landscape views, Canyonlands has a lot to offer. Seasonality definitely factors into your experience. I personally love visiting the desert landscape during the winter. Snow and red rock is just so glorious to me. Plus, there are significantly less visitors at the park. So, at times, you feel like you have the national park all to yourself. Which is a really special feeling. Already counting down the seconds until my next Mesa Arch sunrise. However I would love to see other parts of the park to explore more of its unique formations and partake in other activities. It's a damn big park with plenty to offer! read more

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Canyonlands is a vast landscape with amazing views and rock formations that just blows you away. Very well sign posted and lots of trails to hike. We were just blown away by the serenity and peacefulness here. Go early to avoid the crowds. We just loved it and do glad we got to experience it. read more

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Bottom Line: Amazing and diverse scenery spans across four different districts with Island in the Sky being the most popular. The most important thing to know about Canyonlands National Park when planning a trip there is that it is made up of four distinct districts that are not accessible from each other. Island in the Sky is the most visited district and most accessible district and what my review covers. The other districts are The Needles, The Maze and Horseshoe Canyon. My husband and I visited Canyonlands National Park - Island in the Sky mid-week in early October and it was a bit crowded. We had to wait 20 minutes to enter which wasn't a big deal but many parking lots were overflowing with no where to park. Based on crowds we mostly visited various lookout points and did the signature Mesa Arch hike. The views at Canyonlands National Park are amazing and I said "wow" many times. I think my favorite lookout was the overlook just across the street from the Island in the Sky Visitor Center. Due to limited time we didn't get to do much hiking but we did enjoy the easy Mesa Arch hike (rated as "easy" by the Visitor Center). It was fun to peer through the arch and see the canyon below. Even though we didn't do much hiking I was glad to be fully prepared with lots of water, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, snack, sturdy hiking shoes and a first aid kit. Most of the pit toilets seem to have hand sanitizer now (thank you COVID-19) but hand sanitizer is something that I always carry in my first aid kit. Speaking of the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, we enjoyed the exhibits there and we appreciated that we were able to fill up our water bottles and bladders at the water spigot. There is also a 15 minute film that plays at the Visitor Center which I somewhat regret skipping - I just wasn't in a sitting mood. The visitor center as well as various trail heads and overlooks have pit toilets. Upon arriving at the entrance station we received a park map and Visitor Guide. I found both to be helpful and informative. For longer hikes I recommend bringing a detailed trail map either in paper or a downloaded version via All Trails. I don't recommend relying on cell coverage. If I had just one more day in Moab then I would explore The Needles district. I look forward to the day when I can return to Canyonlands National Park! read more

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