A Guide To Utah's National Parks: Canyonlands
Canyonlands National Park is a vast and rugged desert landscape carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Filled with astonishing vistas and blanketed in a crystal clear night sky, Canyonlands is stunningly beautiful.
The Districts
The landscape of Canyonlands National Park is so vast, the park is split up into sections. The Green and Colorado rivers divide the park into four distinct districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the Rivers, and each one has a ton of things to do and see. From scenic drives and hiking trails to white-water rafting and backcountry exploration, Canyonlands has an adventure for everyone.
Island In The Sky
Mesa Arch
Mesa Arch is an iconic part of Canyonlands. The shape of the arch frames the vast landscape below beautifully, allowing for breathtaking pictures.
-Distance: 0.6 miles round-trip
-Length: 30 minutes
-Difficulty: Easy
Upheaval Dome
The mystery of how this dome was created is still debated by geologists to this day. Some say that the dome was formed by a meteorite strike, while others say the layer of salt underneath the rock formed a bubble and eroded the landscape. Either way, Upheaval Dome is a fascinating place to check out.
-Distance: 1.8 miles round trip
-Length: 1.5 hours
-Difficulty: Moderate
Grand View Point Road
This is the main scenic drive in Island in the Sky, offering spectacular views at multiple overlooks along the way.
Length: 19 miles
Location
Island in the Sky is about 35-40 minutes from Moab via US 191 and UT 313. The National Parks Service recommends using a map to get there as GPS can be inaccurate.
The Needles
This unique landscape of the Needles is astonishing. Named after the towering sandstone spires, or “needles”, that dominate the district’s landscape, the Needles district is full of fascinating rock formations and canyons. This area is known for its extensive trail system which offers opportunities for day hikes or multi-day backpacking trips, making it perfect for people seeking a little more adventure. The Chesler Park Loop, Joint Trail, and Elephant Hill are popular hikes in this district, all of which showcase unique geology and stunning scenery.
Elephant Hill
This area is popular for hiking and mountain biking. The Elephant trail head is the start to many incredible hikes, including the Chesler Park Loop and the Elephant Hill Trail. This area is also very popular for off-roading, but driving in this area is very difficult and requires 4WD and a permit.
Elephant Hill Trail
The Elephant Hill Trail offers amazing views of the sandstone needles with a relatively short hike. This trail is also available to off-roaders, so you can take the drive if you’re up for the challenge.
-Distance: 6.4 miles
-Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
-Difficulty: Moderate
Chesler Park Loop & Joint Trail
This epic loop takes you through the towering needles, a narrow slot canyon and cave, and the beautiful Chestler Park.
Distance: 10.7 miles
Length: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Slickrock Foot Trail
The Slickrock Foot Trail offers stunning, panoramic views that overlook the Needles district. This hike is perfect for beginners looking to learn how to navigate with cairns and hike on slickrock.
-Distance: 2.4 miles
-Time: 1.5 Hours
-Difficulty: Moderate
Location
The Needles district is very close to Island in the Sky geographically, but because there aren’t any roads connecting the two districts, the drive between the two districts can be quite long. The Needles is about an hour and a half south of Moab via UT 191 and UT 211. The NPS recommends you use a map to find the park, as GPS can be inaccurate.
The Maze
The Maze district is the most remote and challenging area of Canyonlands National Park, attracting experienced adventurers seeking solitude and rugged landscapes. It is characterized by its intricate network of deep canyons, towering buttes, and remote backcountry. Accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles or backpacking, The Maze offers opportunities for backcountry camping, exploring ancient ruins, and embarking on multi-day expeditions into one of the most remote regions in the American Southwest.
If you want to travel to this area of the park, make sure you’re completely prepared as there is no food, water, or gas. Though the Maze is not for the faint of heart, it offers the adventure of a lifetime.
Maze Overlook
This trail offers stunning overlooks of the Maze district, showcasing the labyrinth of chasms and canyons that cover its landscape. It's important to exercise caution when hiking, however, as this trail is ranked as one of the most dangerous trails in Utah. If you’re experienced in hiking, the gorgeous view may make it worth the risk.
-Distance: 8 miles
-Time: 3.5 hours
-Difficulty: Moderate
Chocolate Drops Trail
Named after its unique chocolate-bar shaped rock formations, this trail is one of the easiest in the Maze.
-Distance: 8.4 miles
-Time: 3.5 hours
-Difficulty: Moderate
Harvest Scene
Bigdrops, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Though this is one of the most challenging hikes in the district, it's definitely worth the effort. Along with gorgeous scenery, the hike shows you a fascinating array of petroglyphs dating back thousands of years.
-Distance: 4.3 miles
-Time: 4.5 hours
-Difficulty: Challenging
Location
The Maze can be entered either from the Hans Flat Ranger Station, about 2.5 hours south of Green River via UT-24.To get to the canyons, you need to drive for another 3-6 hours with a 4WD vehicle.
The Rivers
The Green and Colorado Rivers are full of adventure. Whitewater rafting and kayaking enthusiasts can navigate the thrilling rapids through Cataract Canyon, while calmer sections of the rivers are suitable for flatwater canoeing and paddleboarding. In order to raft, you will need a river permit, which you can learn more about here.
Cataract Canyon
Canyonlands’ white water rafting is an absolute adventure. Cataract Canyon is known for its insane white water, with sections of the river having Class V rapids which are not to be trifled with. The combination of intense rapids and the breathtaking landscape makes Cataract Canyon the trip of a lifetime.
Flatwater Rafting
If you're looking for something a bit calmer, flatwater rafting is the way to go. Labyrinth canyon (located just north of the park) and Stillwater Canyon offer gentle water and beautiful scenery that the whole family can enjoy. They also have some easier class I-III rapids, which are perfect for less experienced rafters.
Location
Canyonlands is found near Moab in Southeastern Utah. Since there are no roads that connect the districts together, it can takes about 2-6 hours to travel between districts, and your travel time may vary depending on which part of the park you want to visit. Island in the Sky is about 40 minutes from Moab, while the Needles is about 90 minutes from Moab (or an hour from Monticello). The Maze is down 46 miles of dirt road from UT 24, and requires 4-wheel drive.
Canyonlands National Park is truly a masterpiece of nature! Because it's one of Utah's least visited national parks, Canyonlands gives you the chance to find quiet and solitude. If you ever take a trip to Moab or Southern Utah, make sure to add Canyonlands to your to-do list.
Click here to learn more about Canyonlands National Park.