Welcome to Canyonlands National Park, the largest national park in Utah, covering 527.5 square miles. It’s divided by the Colorado and Green Rivers into four distinct districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze and the Rivers. Horseshoe Canyon is also part of Canyonlands National Park but is geographically separate from the other districts.
The rivers and their tributaries have had a major hand in designing this natural wonder where canyons, mesas, and buttes typify the primitive Southern Utah desert landscape — each section is highlighted by its own unique characteristics. Renowned American author Edward Abbey called Canyonlands National Park 'the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth.' Visitors will quickly see why.
The Island in the Sky district is a massive mesa elevated more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape, with panoramic views of spectacular canyon country up to 100 miles in every direction. The district is defined by the Green River to the west and the Colorado River on the east side. A paved road with several scenic pullouts leads from Moab to Island in the Sky, making it one of the easiest areas to explore.
The Island in the Sky district can be explored in as little as a couple of hours, by driving to Grand View Point and Green River overlooks for a broad view of Canyonlands National Park. A half-day will allow time for a few short hikes. There are several short trails atop the mesa.
The White Rim Road Trail runs for 100 miles below the mesa top, offering spectacular views and multi-day mountain bike and four-wheel drive trips. Trail maps are available at the visitor center, which is open daily and has limited services. Overnight visitors can stay on a first-come basis at Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground, which offers year-round camping at their twelve sites plus fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Be sure to bring water and food, as no other services are available in the park. Ranger-led activities are available from March through October.
Trails:
Easy
Mesa Arch: 0.5 miles/0.8 kilometers
White Rim Overlook Trail: 1.8 miles/2.9 kilometers
Grand View Point Trail: 2 miles/3.22 kilometers
Murphy Point: 3.6 miles/5.8 kilometers
Moderate
Upheaval Dome: 1 mile/1.6 kilometer
Whale Rock Trail: 1 mile/1.6 kilometer
Aztec Butte: 2 miles/3.22 kilometers
Lathrop (to Canyon Rim): 5 miles/8 kilometers
Neck Spring: 5.8 miles/9.3 kilometers
Strenuous
Gooseberry Canyon: 5.4 miles/8.7 kilometers
Syncline Loop: 8.3 miles/13.4 kilometers
Murphy Loop: 10.8 miles/17.4 kilometers
Alcove Spring: 11.2 miles/18 kilometers
Wilhite: 12.2 miles/19.6 kilometers
Lathrop (to White Rim Road): 13.6 miles/21.9 kilometers
The Needles
The Needles district is named for the Cedar Mesa sandstone spires that jut up from the landscape. Located in the southwest section of Canyonlands National Park, this district is well-known for its natural formations, extensive interconnected trail system, and more than 50 miles of rugged roads. The Needles district is accessible from towns along Highway 191 by heading west on Highway 211 to the Visitor Center, which is open spring through fall. From there, a scenic road winds through a section of the Needles to Big Spring Canyon Overlook for an expansive view. Stops along the way include Roadside Ruin, Cave Spring, Pothole Point, and Slickrock Trail. Short interpretive trails at these stops are a great way to experience the park for visitors with only an hour or two to explore.
Those with half a day to explore can hike the 2.4-mile Slickrock Trail or drive the 14-mile round trip, 4WD road to the Colorado River Overlook. The trail to the Colorado River Overlook is also accessible by mountain bike. A full day or more allows time to hike some of the longer trails, like the Chesler Park Loop/Joint Trail, Elephant Canyon/Druid Arch, Confluence Overlook, Big Spring to Squaw Canyon, Squaw Canyon to Lost Canyon, and Peekaboo Trail. The longest trails, Lower Red Lake Canyon (18.8 miles/30.3 kilometers) and Salt Creek Canyon (22.5 miles/36.2 kilometers) require permits for overnight camping. Trail conditions are rough, typically slickrock or very sandy, and are marked with cairns. There are few water sources.
Hiking isn’t the only way to explore the Needles. More than 50 miles of rugged roads requiring a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle lead through some of the most challenging backcountry Canyonlands has to offer, including Elephant Hill, the Colorado Overlook, Salt Creek, Horse Canyon, and Lavender Canyon. Permits are required for all overnight backcountry trips, whether by vehicle or on foot. Roads may close due to inclement weather.
The Needles Campground in the Needles District accommodates overnight visitors with 26 sites that include bathrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, tent and RV pads. Needles Campground is divided into Loop A and Loop B. Loop A is first come first serve only. Loop B has 11 individual sites that may be reserved up to six months in advance for dates within the peak season of March 15–May, and September–October. Campgrounds fill fast from March to October, and reservations are required for large groups. Needles Campground is the perfect base camp for a number of half- and full-day hikes accessible from the Elephant Hill Trailhead and the Needles Campground Loop A Trailhead. There are five backcountry vehicle campsites with a limited number of spots. There are also three group sites in different locations around the Needles District.
Trails:
Easy/Moderate
Roadside Ruin: 0.3 miles/0.5 kilometers
Pothole Point: 0.6 miles/1 kilometer
Cave Springs: 0.6 miles/1 kilometer
Slickrock: 2.4 miles/3.9 kilometers
Strenuous
Chelser Park Viewpoint: 6 miles/10 kilometers
Big Spring to Squaw Canyon: 7.5 miles/12 kilometers
Squaw Canyon to Lost Canyon: 8.7 miles/14 kilometers
Confluence Overlook: 10 miles/16 kilometers
Peekaboo: 10 miles/16 kilometers
Chesler Park/Joint Trail: 11 miles/17.7 kilometers
Elephant Canyon/Druid Arch: 11 miles/17.7 kilometers
Lower Red Lake Canyon: 18.8 miles/30.3 kilometers (overnight hike)
Salt Creek Canyon: 22.5 miles/36.2 kilometers (overnight hike)
The most remote district in Canyonlands, The Maze requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach it. With no gas stations, food, water, or other amenities nearby, hikers and backpackers must be self-sufficient. The district is full of amazing yet challenging backpacking trails that are ideal for overnight or week-long trips.
The Maze is best suited for advanced hikers with experience using topographical maps as phone service is often limited and the National Park Service discourages the use of GPS because it is not always accurate. The Maze is over 2 hrs from the nearest town. The Hans Flat Ranger Station is located within the park, however, it does not have any amenities beyond maps and books. From the ranger station, entering the canyons of the Maze are another three to six hours by high-clearance 4WD.
Trails:
The Doll House
Maze Overlook
Land of Standing Rocks
Golden Stairs
Orange Cliffs
Horseshoe Canyon
Horseshoe Canyon is home to some of the most significant petroglyphs and pictographs with well-preserved, life-sized figures depicted known as The Great Gallery. The style of petroglyphs and pictographs that make up The Great Gallery are known as “Barrier Canyon” and it is believed to date all the way back to the Late Archaic period which was between BCE 2000 (Before Common Era) and CE 500 (Common Era). Artifacts have also been found within Horseshoe Canyon dating as far back as BCE 9000-7000.
Reaching Horseshoe Canyon requires driving on unpaved terrain. Depending on the weather and road conditions, 2WD vehicles may be able to make it to the trailhead, however, the weather can change quickly and shift the road conditions to four-wheel-drive only. If staff are available, ranger-led walks can be arranged to take people to the Great Gallery which is 7 miles/11.3 kilometers roundtrip. The trail involves steep climbs. Groups exploring the area can have no more than 20 people in them without advanced notice.
Horseback riding can be done into the canyon from the west rim trailhead. Groups are limited to 10 people and 10 horses and the horses must be fed pelletized feed for 48 hours in advance of and during a trip in order to prevent the spread of exotic plant species. No grazing is allowed in Horseshoe Canyon and animals must be attended at all times. Permits are free and can be obtained through the Hans Flat Ranger Station.
Rivers
Canyonlands National Park is divided into sections by two great rivers and their tributaries — the Colorado River and the Green River. Another favorite way to experience Canyonlands National Park is through the waterways. Upstream of the Confluence, both rivers are calm flatwater that make ideal conditions for kayaking or canoeing. Downstream of the Confluence where the two rivers combine into Cataract Canyon with a fast current and great power creating world-class whitewater. River flow is also determined by snowmelt and rainfall and can dramatically change depending on the season or time of year. For those who want to take advantage of seeing the national park from the rivers below, there are many local guides and outfitters who provide trips and the necessary gear.
Directions
Moab, La Sal, Monticello, and Blanding offer convenient access via paved roads to Island in the Sky and the Needles districts inside Canyonlands National Park. From Highway 191, take Highway 313 to Island in the Sky, or take Highway 211 to reach the Needles district. Dirt roads leading to the Maze district and Horseshoe Canyon require a four-wheel-drive vehicle and may be impassable in wet weather. Canyonlands National Park is open year-round.
Accessible via Utah Highway 211
Accessible via Utah Highway 313
The Hans Flat Ranger Station is accessible from Hwy 24
Local lodging options near the Needles District:
Monticello Vacation Homes
Roughlock Resort RV Parks & Cabins
Local lodging options near Island in the Sky:
Kokopelli Creekside Cabins at Pack Creek Ranch
Recreating Responsibly is always important and it’s especially critical in locations like Canyonlands National Park not only to protect this amazing park but also its visitors. Every year park rangers respond to hundreds of search and rescue incidents, most of which are preventable. Here are some of the basics that help keep you safe:
Be Aware of the Heat
Especially in the summer months, there is limited shade and it can easily reach dangerous heat levels. It’s best to hike in the early mornings or later evenings when the temperature has begun to cool off. Protect yourself. Wear sunscreen and reapply. It’s also wise to wear a hat to help shade yourself. Drink plenty of water, one gallon per person is recommended a day, and eat salty snacks to replenish electrolytes lost from sweat. Lastly, it’s not a race to get through the park. Rest often and take breaks, the wonders of Canyonlands will still be there.
Canyonlands is a remote and rugged park. You might have to drive over 50 miles/80.5 kilometers to find gas, food and water, lodging, or medical facilities. Before you enter the park, be prepared with plenty of everything and know where the nearest ranger stations and medical facilities are just in case. It’s also important to have physical maps with you. Cellular data is often limited and GPS isn’t always reliable within the national park.
It’s always fun to view wildlife in its natural habitat, but make sure you respect it and keep your distance. Wild animals are also susceptible to carrying deadly diseases like the bubonic plague and rabies so it’s best to give them space, especially if they are acting aggressively. Black bears have also been known to wander into the Needles District. Certain areas, such as Salt Creek, require the use of approved, hard-sided food storage containers.
Venomous animals like the midget-faded rattlesnake, scorpions, and black widow spiders call Canyonlands home. It is highly unlikely you will run into any one of these and it will most likely flee if you see one, however, be alert. A scorpion sting is similar to a bee sting, but a rattlesnake bite or black widow bite requires medical attention.
Beyond the heat, Utah’s weather can be unpredictable. Flash floods and lightning are powerful and can happen suddenly. If lightning appears, find shelter in your car or get indoors. If you’re away from shelter, crouch low, avoid lone trees, cliff edges, and high ridges. Never attempt crossing a wash during a flash flood or storm.
Always stay with your group when hiking. You are more likely to get lost on your own. In the event you do lose your way, stay where you are and wait for rescue to find you. Wandering endangers your life and makes it more difficult to find you. Do not rely on your phone to call for help as cellular data is often limited or unavailable within Canyonlands. When traveling alone, always tell someone your plans including where you are going and when you plan to return.
Conditions can become slick and a few inches of snow can hide cairns and other trail makers. Be prepared with extra layers of clothing. Bring a flashlight and foul-weather gear. if snow happens you may need to spend the night in the park.
When visiting any of the four districts of Canyonlands please remember to be respectful and responsible to help preserve these natural and historic wonders for many years to come. Always stay on designated trails. When you see pictographs or petroglyphs, look but don’t touch and NEVER deface them. Do not touch, climb on, or remove anything when visiting archaeological structures. Leave the history of these incredible places exactly as you found it.
