Canyonlands NP

(Southeast Utah, USA)

General info about the park...

Utah's largest national park at over 337,000 acres, Canyonlands offer visitors sweeping vistas of red rock canyons, mesas, and buttes. In 2022, Canyonlands National Park had almost 800,000 visitors putting it towards the middle of the pack in terms of visitors at US national parks. It's actually the least visited of the 5 national parks in Utah.

This incredible landscape was designated in 1964 as a national park and also has received the International Dark Sky designation making it popular with stargazing enthusiasts. Canyonlands is best visited in the Spring of Fall months as Summer can bring very hot temperatures (above 90F) while Winter can bring cold temperatures (below 20F) with snow.

Sections of the park

Canyonlands is separated by the Colorado and Green Rivers into three distinct areas with varying levels of accessibility :

Island in the Sky: the most visited area of the park especially with day trippers and first timers offering expansive views and short hikes; a 40 minute drive from the popular desert town of Moab; also the access point to the White Rim Road (4x4 only)

The Needles: offers more of a backcountry experience where many attractions require hiking or 4x4 access; terrain here features sandstone spires; drive time 2+ hours from Moab

The Maze: this ultra-remote district requires a high clearance 4x4 vehicle which is only accessible by a 50 mile long dirt road; experienced backpackers head to this labyrinth for multi-day hiking trips; permits must be obtained from the ranger station before hiking; this district is only for the most experienced navigators; emergency services can take 3 days to reach you due to the vast remoteness of this area

Scenic drive & viewpoints

The Island in the Sky district features the most accessible scenic drive- a 24+ mile paved road with tons of viewpoints atop 1,000+ foot mesas overlooking the canyons below. There are 10 stops along the road with some of the most popular being Mesa Arch, Grand Viewpoint, and Green River Overlook.

There are plenty of short scenic hikes accessed nearby these viewpoints including Shafer Trail, the White Rim Overlook, and the Aztec Butte (featuring ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings).

Mesa Arch is very popular with photographers especially at dawn or dusk as it's an iconic feature of this national park.

Confluence of the Rivers

The confluence is the meeting point of the mighty Colorado River and its main tributary, the Green River. The Colorado River is one of the longest and most significant in the US flowing over 1,400 miles through the American Southwest carving dramatic landscapes such as the Grand Canyon. Beginning in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Colorado River flows through seven states before reaching its end point in the Mexican Gulf of California. The Green River starts over 700 miles to the north in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming.

There is a 10 mile out and back hike called the Confluence Overlook accessible from the Needles district of the park.

White Rim Road

This popular off-roading experience stretches over 100 miles around the Island in the Sky mesa of Canyonlands National Park. Only accessible with high-clearance 4x4 vehicles recommended for experienced riders, this difficult terrain usually takes 2-3 days and so backcountry camping is necessary along this route. Check with the rangers station for permits before attempting this multi-day trek. It is also possible to travel the White Rim Road by bicycle.

There are campsites along the route with very few spots at each so it's imperative to book ahead during Spring & Fall. There are no services along the route and no potable water.

Visitor Centers

Island in the Sky and The Needles district have full-service visitors center including exhibits, maps, general info, rangers on duty, permit applications, and water. Island in the Sky's visitor center is open year-round while the Needles visitor center is closed in the Winter months.

The Hans Flat ranger station in the remote Maze section of the park is normally open year round but does not offer any amenities or services other than park maps.

Plan ahead if you are in need of backcountry hiking permits.

Camping & Lodging

Island in the Sky: Willow Flat campground with 12 sites on a first come, first serve basis. Picnic tables and fire rings only. No cell service, water, electricity, lockers, store, or dumping here.

Needles: 29 sites with some reservable during Spring & Fall. No cell service, water, electricity, lockers, store, or dumping here.

Maze: backcountry camping only. Must apply for permits at the ranger station. Limited water in the canyon. Must bring all suppliers as there are absolutely no services available here.

There are no hotels in the park, but many nearby in the towns of Moab or Monticello. Hanksville is closest to the Maze district.