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The Ultimate Guide to Canyonlands National Park

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The Ultimate Guide to Canyonlands National Park

Posted on 03-08-22

Mesa Arch offering a view of the expanse of Canyonlands National Park

The beauty of Canyonlands National Park barely feels real. It’s almost hard to comprehend how the desert — a place that many believe to be desolate and empty — contains so much magnificence and depth.

The area was shaped by rivers that still wind through the park today, reaching a confluence where you can watch the dark water of the Green River mixing with the red silty water of the Colorado River.

Standing at Grandview Point, staring at hundreds of miles of canyons, towers, and seemingly infinite layers, is an experience everyone should enjoy. And although some parts of the park, Grandview Point included, are easy to access by road, most of Canyonlands is remote and hard to get to except by foot, bike, or 4×4 vehicle. This guide to Canyonlands National Park will give you tips for where to stay, when to go, and what to do.

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Where is Canyonlands National Park?

Canyonlands is in southeastern Utah, on the flanks of Moab. It’s a huge national park and includes three distinct sections. Visiting all three is possible but involves some effort, so if you are making a quick trip, you should narrow it down to one destination.

Island in the Sky

Island in the Sky is the northern-most part of Canyonlands, and the most accessible area from Moab. It is also the most popular part of the park. Visitors love Island in the Sky because it offers views of all the canyons without the need to journey down into them.

This broad, flat mesa has countless gorgeous overlooks that you can visit from the car or a short hike. However, one of the most popular destinations is Grandview Point (the furthest point on the Island in the Sky Mesa). Many people drive here to gaze over the Park’s vast expanses.

Due to its abundance of short trails, Island in the Sky is a great place to visit if you just have a day or a half a day to visit Canyonlands National Park.

However, it’s also a worthwhile destination for visitors looking for more adventure and exploration. You’ll find additional possibilities if you have a 4×4 vehicle (NOT AWD) or a bike, such as the White Rim Road.

The Needles

The Needles is the southernmost part of Canyonlands and the second most popular area. To get there, drive south from Moab about 50 miles and then turn onto highway 211. This road takes you through the beautiful cliffs and mesas of Indian Creek Recreation Area — look out for climbers scaling these red walls — and then into the remote and beautiful Needles district.

The Needles is a fantastic place to embark on short day hikes or lengthy backpacking trips. From the Needles Visitor Center, if you squint, you can even see the mesa of Island in the Sky in the distance, although distinguishing it from all the other mesas is another question entirely!

Spend a day in the Needles hiking and exploring the slick rock landscape or just taking in the “needles” themselves, a beautiful skyline of thin rocks rising from the red earth. The Colorado and the Green River confluence sits within the Needles district, and an overlook of the confluence is accessible by a five-mile hike.

The Maze

The most remote part of Canyonlands National Park, the Maze, is located west of the Green and Colorado rivers, only accessible via 50 miles of dirt roads out of Hanksville. After the 2wd dirt roads, you’ll reach the Hans Flat Ranger Station. From here, you need a high clearance, 4wd vehicle to drive another three to six hours into the canyons of the Maze.

If you visit the Maze, you should be completely self-sufficient and experienced in backcountry travel. There are no water, food, gas or cell services. A car breakdown or injury could be catastrophic, as rescue teams can take days to reach you. The Maze is not an area to visit for a day trip; most people spend at least three days in this area and could easily spend a week or more.

Why Visit Canyonlands National Park?

If you want to experience the true beauty of the Utah desert, in all its red rock and canyon-filled glory, Canyonlands National Park is worth a visit. Visit to stare out at the vast views from Island in the Sky or to walk in the footsteps of the Native Americans who have called these sandstone cliffs and canyons home since time immemorial.

Many visitors to Moab spend their time in Arches National Park — which is, of course, also worth a visit — but completely overlook the arches, towers, and canyons that grace this diverse and vast National Park right outside of Arches and Moab.

Also, if you want to visit a National Park but want to get off the beaten path, you could get lost in Canyonlands without seeing another person — anywhere other than Island in the Sky, that is.

When To Visit Canyonlands

The best times of year to visit Canyonlands National Park are spring and fall because the temperatures are milder, but there’s something to be said about every season in this desert park.

Spring

Photo by Lucas Ludwig on Unsplash

Visit Canyonlands during the spring, and you may catch the short-lived and beautiful desert blooms. Cacti and wildflowers grow unique flowers during the spring, and it’s an incredible sight. It’s also often one of the most pleasant times of the year, with temperatures typically between 60 and 85 during the day. But make sure to bring layers, as nights can be as cold as 25-30 degrees!

Summer

Summers in Canyonlands are brutally hot, but it’s still a popular time to visit — especially for families and those taking summer vacations. Temperatures typically rest over 100 degrees during the day. Remember, you’re in the desert — there aren’t many natural swimming pools to cool off. (Although there are some hidden swimming holes around Moab!)

Fall

Fall can be the perfect time to visit Canyonlands, as temperatures are cooling down (although days can still be 70-80 degrees and feel very hot in the sun!). In late October and early November, the cottonwoods and other deciduous trees turn yellow, providing a beautiful contrast against the red rocks of the canyons. But similar to spring, nights can be cold, so be prepared!

Winter

Photo by Subhamoy Basu on Unsplash

Did you know that it does, in fact, snow in the desert? Visit Canyonlands in winter to find the park at its quietest but one of the most beautiful times of the year. Snow and ice can make travel even more complicated, and the low temperatures are not for everyone. But, during the day, the sun can make it feel like t-shirt weather — if there’s no wind. Canyonlands in the winter is well worth a visit for those who want to find peace and quiet and don’t mind the cold.

Where to Stay in Canyonlands National Park

Depending on which part of the park you visit, you will want to stay in different areas. If you are only planning on visiting Island in the Sky or just want to take a quick trip down to the Needles, Moab is a great location. However, if you’re going to base yourself in the south or west, there are a few other options like Hanksville or Monticello.

Camping

Utah camping trips are an excellent way to explore the magic of the Southwest’s most famous high deserts and Canyon Country. They offer an affordable way to enjoy multi-day trips, and they offer an outdoorsy, comfortable experience (if you’re good at camping or go with a camping tour company.)

There are two official national park campgrounds in Canyonlands. Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground costs $15 and has 12 sites that are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Needles Campground has 26 individual sites available for $20 a night and three group campsites. You can reserve some spots at the Needles Campground during peak season (March 15-May and September-October); otherwise, it is first-come, first-serve.

There are also countless other places to camp around Canyonlands National Park. You can find paid, privately-owned campgrounds around Moab. Plus, there is ample Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land that offers a variety of free dispersed campsites on the Island in the Sky mesa but outside the park. Some even have spectacular views of the canyons.

In the south, the entire Indian Creek Recreation Area leading up to the Needles has lots of free and paid camping. Closest to the park, Hamburger Rock is a popular area with a paid campground and dispersed camping.

For backcountry travel, permits are available in advance for backcountry campsites. In the Needles, designated campsites are available since it is a more heavily traveled area. In Island in the Sky or the Maze, camping is available based on zones, and you choose your campsite. When selecting your campsite, make sure to follow Leave No Trace principles and camp on a durable surface such as bare rock, in a sandy wash, or anywhere without soil crusts.

In the Park

There are no accommodations in Canyonlands National Park beyond the camping and backpacking options listed above.

Moab

Moab is the largest and closest town to Canyonlands National Park and is also a hub for desert tourism, with visitors from around the world coming to explore the red rock desert that surrounds this quirky town. It’s well worth a visit in itself and has some great food spots, a used gear store, and plenty of places to stay.

The small town does get quite packed during the spring and fall, and it can be challenging to find a place to stay during peak times, so plan ahead if you want to get a hotel in town. Also, be respectful while you visit — people live here, despite it feeling like just a tourist town. Be nice, and tip well!

Monticello

Moab’s younger and more neglected sister, Monticello, has had none of the tourism boom of Moab but also has excellent access to the southern part of Canyonlands National Park and the rest of southeastern Utah. There are a few places to stay, including motels and Airbnb options. Monticello also has some decent food — try the High Desert Cafe or the Thai restaurant (it’s got western vibes but surprisingly delicious Pad See Ew!)

Know Before You Go: Biological Soil Crusts

Before you continue planning your desert adventure, there’s some vital information you should know before visiting the desert Southwest. As you hike, camp, or generally explore the area, you will find that the loose sandy soils are held together with something known as biological soil crusts.

Cryptobiotic soil looks like weird black and gray knobby bumps on the ground and consists of living microorganisms, lichens, mosses, algae, and bacterias. And it’s one of the most prominent species that maintain the ecosystems in the desert.

Without soil crusts, the desert’s dirt would blow away. The soil crusts also help hold water, allowing plants to grow in the loose sandy soil. Young crusts look dirt-colored and may have some texture, while older crusts have a dark exterior. Some crusts can be thousands of years old!Desert crusts take decades to form and mature. Onene footstep can break it apart and kill the delicate organisms living in the crusts. So it is vital while traveling the desert to stay on durable surfaces such as trails, sandy washes, and slick rock.

What To Do in Canyonlands National Park

Day Hiking

Canyonlands National Park is a hiker’s paradise. There are many opportunities to get out of the car and see the park on two feet. Many hikes in the desert follow slick rock paths that can be hard to follow at times. Most have cairns, small rock piles positioned to designate the path. However, make sure to have a map and know where your hike goes before heading out.

Check out these great hikes to explore the park: