Top Things to do in Canyonlands National Park
The 10 Best Geologic Formations in Canyonlands National Park, Canyonlands National Park
A great location with trails for mountain biking and sightseeing.
1. Island in the Sky
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 668 reviews
This area of Canyonlands has a few hiking trails and views of beautiful canyons.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Island in the Sky, also known as Between the Rivers, is the most visited and easily reached and perhaps the most scenic attraction in Canyonlands National Park. Located close to Moab, Utah and Arches National Park, it is the highest section of Canyonlands, with an average elevation of 6,100 feet, and the access road passes many spectacular and breath-taking viewpoints of the deep twisting canyon on either side. The road runs along a narrowing ravine or Seven-Mile Canyon, climbs the steep cliffs on the south side, then ascends more gently over uneven, partly wooded ground to the flat grasslands in the center of the plateau. The flat land at the top of the Island in the Sky mesa becomes narrower towards the south as the river confluence approaches. After the visitors center, the first viewpoint is Shafer Canyon to the east, then the mining settlement of Potash and a meadow known as Grays Pasture. At a fork in the road, follow the West road past the main campground and an overlook of the Green River at Willow Flat, then descend gradually to the end of the mesa at Upheaval Dome. Near the road junction are two short trails, one to Mesa Arch and one to the White Rim and the Green River. The remaining five miles of the main road cross a rather narrow plateau, past several overlooks, including Buck Canyon, Candlestick Tower, Murray Point, Gooseberry Canyon and the Orange Cliffs. The park road ends at Grand View Point, which offers magnificent vistas across the Colorado canyons and the spires of Monument Basin to the distant La Sal Mountains in the east and the Needles area to the south. A further one-mile, 20-minute walk southwards along the Grand View Trail leads to the very end point of the Island in the Sky plateau, where the cliffs drop away in all directions and the canyons of both rivers can be seen. There are places in Canyonlands where you are alone and can't hear a sound. It is an erie experience, one a native of Chicago isn't used to. At times, in certain spots, Island in the Sky feels that way.
2. Mesa Arch
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 731 reviews
Visit this mesa at sunrise for the best scencic views.
Reviewed By TravelingJohnB80 - Martinsburg, United States
Relatively easy hike to see one of the most iconic arches. One downside is with the ease of the hike it also brings crowds so you will have to wait your turn to get a picture.
3. White Crack
4. Great Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
A major landmark in Bryce, a vast panel of rock said to date back 2,000 years.
Reviewed By Ilene80111 - Denver, United States
Beautiful, serene and awe-inspiring. I do not want to encourage a lot of people to go and trample the natural setting but if you do please tread lightly and leave only footprints. Respect the sites and enjoy the hike.
5. Angel Arch
6. Musselman Arch
7. The Needles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
This area of Canyonlands has a great variety of rock formations and allows camping.
Reviewed By michaeljones46 - Oklahoma City, United States
Visited the Needles District, enjoyed the beautiful drive up the canyon and Newspaper Rock on the way. At the Park, small visitor center has good restrooms, good gift shop and friendly rangers. Park is awesome. It was rainy when we were there so could not see the Needles very well, but of course rain is rare there. Awesome rock formations, took 100s of pics. Had it not been raining off and on, would have done some hikes as they look to be amazing. DO NOT MISS THIS!
8. The Maze
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
This area of Canyonlands is the wildest and least visited.
Reviewed By -MyLifeOfTravel- - Steamboat Springs, United States
Very much off the beaten track and a bit tough to get to. Check trip reports, call the Ranger, etc. before you randomly try to make a trip out here. Permits are required for overnights. We parked at the Ranger Station and did a mountain bike - hike combo, which worked well due to the rock crawling on the roads. Be self-sufficient. No cell coverage so you should know how to get yourself out. Limited water. Heat/cold. Some steep and/or long descents/ascents. Affords fantastic views and solitude.
