For a truly immersive experience in Utah’s famous red rock country, there is no better place to explore than Canyonlands National Park. Divided into three distinct districts, this massive national park is home to endangered species, stunning canyon views, and plenty of must-do adventures.
Things to Know Before You Go
Canyonlands National Park is located in the heart of the American Southwest, roughly 40 minutes from the town of Moab, Utah. Aside from the Island in the Sky district of the park, Canyonlands is quite remote and you’re expected to be self-sufficient.
The desert is an unforgiving landscape year-round. Sun exposure, heatstroke, and dehydration are real risks, so plan your time accordingly, bring plenty of water and salty snacks, and don’t forget sun protection. Remember, when you’re reading forecasts for the spring through fall seasons, bump the high temperature up by about ten degrees, since the rocks reflect heat and it often feels much hotter than the thermometer.
Also, the desert can turn violently dangerous during bad weather. Rainstorms — although brief — will easily flood canyons, wash out roads, and leave you stranded if you’re not careful. Never hike in a canyon during a rainstorm and avoid any dirt roads during and 24 hours after it rains. For more intrepid adventures, be prepared to rescue yourself. Pack a spare tire, have plenty of gas, and carry a first aid kit. Getting a tow out of remote areas will cost a minimum of $1,500. Not to mention, cell phone service is hard to come by in the park.
Practical Information About the Park
Like all national parks in the U.S., there are a few pieces of useful information to keep in mind. First, all backcountry use and camping needs to be reserved well in advance. Many of the areas in Canyonlands National Park require a reservation, even for day-use, so certainly do your homework. Permits in spring, summer, and fall will fill up the minute they are released.
Always leave the park better than you found it. Follow all closure signs and ranger instructions. Pack out all of your trash. While hiking, stick to established trails or durable, rocky surfaces. All backcountry access (hiking or backpacking to overnight stays) requires the use of human waste disposal bags. If you are not comfortable using these waste disposal systems for the bathroom, plan an adventure that better suits your tastes.
Lastly, water is super-scarce in the park. Plan on bringing in all of your own water, especially for the backcountry. Campgrounds offer water during the spring, summer, and fall while the visitor’s center has water only during open hours. Carry a jug of water in the car and budget about one gallon per person per day.
Other important info about the park includes:
- Fees: It is $30 per entry into Canyonlands National Park. If you re-enter the park on the same day, you will have to repay the fee. Entry is free with the America the Beautiful Annual Parks Pass.
- Dog Friendly: Canyonlands National Park is not dog friendly. Dogs are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry and must stick to paved overlooks or roads only. This isn’t very fair for your dog, and you should not leave your dog in a hot car.
- Cell service: This is very scarce. Do not plan to rely on your cell phone while in the park.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is open year-round, but the absolute best time to visit is from March through April and October to November. During this time of year, temperatures are warm and pleasant and rain is usually at a minimum. It’s a busy time to visit Canyonlands National Park, but since the weather really dictates what is and isn’t open in the park, it’s the best time to visit.
May through September is extremely hot, with temperatures regularly rising above 85 degrees. During the summer, temperatures are regularly above 100, making it virtually impossible to enjoy hiking or camping. Also, it’s the monsoon season. This is a time when heavy rains plague the park, making many trails and roads impassable.
Winter is a wonderful time to visit Canyonlands National Park if you’re looking to escape the crowds. Snow is possible and temperatures are regularly well-below freezing at night, making camping and backcountry access a bit more challenging. However, if the sun is out, the temperatures in the mid-30s to 40s don’t feel too cold as long as the wind isn’t blowing. It’s the quiet season for Canyonlands so many of the campgrounds are closed and the visitor center has reduced hours.
Three Districts to Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is divided into three distinct districts with three distinct entry points. You cannot access one district from the other. Each has its own unique flavor and landscape. There are iconic adventures and sights in each of the districts.
Island in The Sky
Island in the Sky is the most popular and easiest district to access in Canyonlands National Park. Perched at the northern end of the park on tall buttes, this area is well known for its easy hiking trails, scenic drives, and expansive canyon views. The paved road into this section of the park is easy to access.
Drive time from Moab: 40 minutes
The Needles
As the second easiest district of the park to access, the Needles has risen in popularity over the years. Known for its weird and whacky needle-like rock formations, this area feels like it’s on another planet. People flock to the Needles to hike in the famous spire-crested canyons and enjoy world-class backpacking.
Drive time from Moab: 1 hr 30 minutes
The Maze
The Maze is rugged and seldom visited due to limited access. Known for its incredible maze-like canyon systems, ancient rock art, and expert-level backpacking the people who do come to the Maze are in for a real off-the-grid adventure.
This area of the park requires a permit and a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle just to access. There are virtually no marked trails and backcountry navigation skills are an absolute must if you plan to travel here.
Drive time from Moab: 3 hours 30 minutes.
Camping in Canyonlands
Canyonlands National Park has two campgrounds that offer year-round camping. Reservations are required spring through fall. In the winter, campsites are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
The Willow Flats Campground in Island in the Sky offers tent camping and RV camping (no hookups). Vault toilets and trash disposal are provided. However, there is no water. $15 per night.
The Needles Campground (located in the Needles) offers RV (no hookups) and tented sites for +$20. Amenities include seasonal flush toilets, seasonal potable water, year-round vault toilets, and trash collection.
Group size is limited to ten people and two vehicles for both campgrounds excluding group sites.
Backcountry Permits
Backcountry trips are one of the most popular activities in Canyonlands National Park. From the famous overlanding and biking opportunities along the White Rim Road to sleeping in the heart of the Needles District, there’s a lifetime of adventure to be had in the park.
Overnight permits are required for any overnight stay. You must stay in the designated camping area you have reserved and follow all rules and regulations for your trip. Permit costs vary depending on the type of adventure.
Nearby Accommodation
The nearest accommodation for hotels and vacation rentals for the Needles District and the Island in the Sky is Moab, Utah. Prices and accommodation type varies greatly.
For the Maze, staying in either Hanksville or Green River is a better choice than Moab. Just keep in mind that lodging options in both of these areas are exceptionally limited.
Wildlife Information
To many people’s surprise, the desert is bursting with life if you know where to look. However, most people come to Canyonlands National Park for the scenery. There are two primary wildlife species that you should know about before you go.
The raised, bumpy soil you see in rock crevices and on the ground is a living organism called cryptobiotic soil. It plays an essential role in preventing erosion and giving desert plants the vital nutrients they need to grow. There’s a saying in the desert “don’t bust the crust,” meaning do not step on this soil as it is fragile and doing so harms the desert.
Canyonlands National Park is also home to the rare desert ram or bighorn sheep. These rams travel in large flocks and live within the canyon systems. They are a rare, but stunning site. These shy animals are endangered so if you encounter them, keep your distance and consider yourself a lucky visitor.
Hiking in Canyonlands
The best way to immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of Canyonlands National Park is to go out on foot. Hikes in Canyonlands National Park vary greatly from grueling scrambles to leisurely walks. Beginners will prefer the Island in the Sky while more advanced hikers will want to check out both the Needles and the Maze.
Some of the best hikes include:
- Mesa Arch Trail: 0.7 miles. Very easy. Island in the Sky.
- Grand View Point Trail: 1.3 miles. Easy. Island in the Sky.
- Syncline Loop around Upheaval Dome: 8.6 miles. Difficult. Island in the Sky.
- Elephant Canyon to Squaw Canyon Loop: 11 miles. Moderate to difficult. The Needles.
- Druid Arch: 10.4 miles. Moderate. The Needles.
- Chesler Park Loop: 10.4 miles. Moderate. The Needles.
- Harvest Scene Pictographs: 9.3 miles. Very difficult. The Maze.
These amazing Canyonlands hikes each take you to famous landmarks and overlooks within the park.
Pro Tip: Pick up a map of the park and connect different trails for a full day of hiking.
Things to Do in Canyonlands
Aside from hiking, there are plenty of incredible adventures for all abilities in Canyonlands National Park.
Biking or Driving the White Rim Road
The White Rim Road is a 100-mile-long loop road in Island in the Sky that descends from Island in the Sky via Shaffer Canyon, travels across a dramatic white canyon rim, and re-ascends back towards the park via Mineral Bottom. Many people also opt to mountain bike the road with the help of a support vehicle, while others drive.
Thanks to the rough conditions, you won’t move much faster than five to ten miles per hour, so most people opt to do the entire loop in three days. You’re required to have a 4×4 vehicle with low gears (think a 4Runner or Wrangler) in order to complete this rugged ride.
Permits are required both for day use and for overnight trips.
Check Out the Many Scenic Overlooks
Island in the Sky is exactly what it sounds like, a high-up perch that delivers you unbelievable bird’s eye views of the expansive canyon systems below. Drive the Grand View Point Road and stop along the many incredible overlooks throughout this district of the park.
A few overlooks require short hikes (such as Grand View Point and White Rim Overlook), but most views are easily accessible and require just a few minutes walk. A few overlooks to not miss include:
- Shafer Canyon Overlook
- Grand View Point
- Green River Overlook
- White Rim Overlook
River Trips
If you’re a river rat then you will love Island in the Sky district’s easy water access. Spring and summer are the best time to hit the water. Both the Green River and the Colorado River snake their way through the park.
Opt to join a guided tour (separate fees apply) or plan your own watery adventure through Canyonlands. Keep in mind that advanced permits are required for self-supported trips. You’ll need to have a detailed itinerary to snag a permit.
Backpack in the Needles
As one of the top backpacking trips in the country, many people opt to backpack in the Needles. Trip options vary from easy overnights to grueling multi-day treks with long water carries. You’ll have to plan your own route and reserve your backcountry campsites well in advance for this journey of a lifetime. Elephant Canyon and Chesler Park are both popular options that have unbelievably beautiful backcountry campsites. Just remember, you’ll have to carry in all of your own water, and carry out all of your own human waste.
Canyonlands National Park is a desert playground for all kinds of adventurers. Easy day trips deliver jaw-dropping views. While the more intrepid traveler can enjoy multi-day excursions in a stunning setting. With so many unique adventures, your first visit to Canyonlands certainly won’t be your last.
Article and Photos by Meg Atteberry
Meg Atteberry wants to empower you to have the ultimate outdoor adventure. She loves to use her writing work to help people level up their outdoor skills. You can find her climbing, camping, and hiking across her home in Colorado and the American Southwest. When she’s not out exploring, she’s at home cooking up delicious meals from around the globe and curling up with a good Sci-Fi book. You can follow Meg’s adventures at Fox in the Forest.
