Visiting Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is located in southeastern Utah (about 32 miles from Moab, Utah USA). 
It is divided into three districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze.     

  

Canyonlands District Map

According to Wikipedia, “It preserves a colorful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas, and buttes by the Colorado River, the Green River, and their respective tributaries.  Legislation creating the park was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on September 12, 1964.”

Because of its close proximity to Moab, and easy accessibility, the Island in the Sky district receives the highest visitation (about 59%).  A paved road travels across this broad mesa offering “top of the world” views of the rugged landscape carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. 

The second most visited area of the Park is the Needles district with 35% of the Park visitors coming here.  The Needles district is named after the red and white banded rock pinnacles found here

The remote Maze district is the least visited section (3%).  A visit to this wild area of the Park requires planning, preparedness, and proper equipment/gear.    

I have to admit that I personally have not visited the Needles or the Maze districts.  But for those who do, the scenery and memories created may be worth the extra time and effort to come here. 

On this vacation, we are doing Utah’s Grand Circle Tour which encompasses five U.S. National Parks.  Yesterday we went to Arches National Park.  Today, we are going to the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park.  We turn on UT-313 and drive 22 miles to the Island in the Sky entrance.

Entrance Sign

Our first stop is the Visitor Center.   It is open daily but the hours vary by season.  If you don’t have a park pass, you can purchase one at the Visitor Center. 

The 12-mile auto tour begins at the Visitor Center and ends at Grand View Point.  Along the way are some great scenic views and hiking opportunities.  If you have the time, I recommend getting out of the car – listen to the sounds of nature, feel the cool breeze on your face, and see the beauty that has been preserved for us to enjoy. 

Island in the Sky District Map

Today, the air is cool, the skies are gray, and the threat of rain is predicted to arrive around 3 pm.  We stop at the Shafer Canyon Overlook.  A four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle is needed to drive the primitive Shafer Canyon Road … and it looks pretty scary to me!   Due to recent rains, portions of this road were not navigable during our visit. 

Shafer Canyon Road

View from Shafer Canyon Overlook

We park our jeep and walk to the edge of the overlook.  Cue the rain - an hour earlier than predicted.  So while it rains, we eat our sandwiches in the comfort of our jeep.  Fortunately, the steady rain doesn’t last more than 10 minutes or so. I think it is interesting to note that the average annual rain fall for this area is nine inches.  So far, we have experienced rain everyday since we arrived in Utah.

Gray skies are gonna clear up - so let’s keep moving …

 Grand View Point Road

There are over a dozen trails to hike in the Island in the Sky district ranging from an easy half mile walk to Mesa Arch to strenuous workouts that tackle elevation changes up to 2,000 feet.  I don’t do the strenuous hikes anymore but I still love to hike and enjoy nature. 

The Mesa Arch Trail is a “must do”.  From the parking lot, you can hike the trail to the left (clockwise) or right (counter clockwise) or hike it as a loop.  If you go right, you will see the arch sooner.  If you go left, the arch comes as a surprise.  We opt to hike the well-marked, loop trail in a clockwise direction so we can see the different scenery.  

Mesa Arch is a popular spot especially at sunrise when the underside of the arch seems to glow in the early morning light.   Obviously, we weren’t here at sunrise but there were still quite a few people waiting for a turn to pose in front of the arch.  This iconic symbol of Canyonlands serves as a natural frame for the canyon below and the mountains in the distance. 

Trail to Mesa Arch

View through Mesa Arch

Mesa Arch (50' long)

We have two hours until sunset and we still have lots to see.  We continue driving the Park road stopping to see the views at Candlestick Tower, Buck Canyon Overlook, and Orange Cliffs Overlook.  

Candlestick Tower

Buck Canyon Overlook

Orange Cliffs Overlook

At the end of the road is Grand View Point Overlook (elevation 6,000 feet). The sun is low in the sky and creating light and shadows among the rock pinnacles and buttes.  It reminds me of the Grand Canyon.

Grand View Point Overlook

We spend some time walking around and admiring the scenery.  This is definitely an “ah” spot.  As the sun gets closer to the horizon I’m noticing the cool air surrounding me.  It’s time to get back to the jeep and get the chill out of my bones.  

We drive to the Green River Overlook thinking it might be a good place to see the “afterglow” of the sunset.  However, when we arrive, the view from the overlook is beautiful but the clouds barely get a tinge of color from the setting sun.  

Green River Overlook

The drive from Canyonlands to Moab seems long - especially in the dark.  

For information and photos on places we visited in southern Utah, I invite you to view my other blog posts by clicking on the following links:

Plan Your Visit - Arches NP

Plan Your Visit - Bryce Canyon NP

Plan Your Visit - Capitol Reef NP

Plan Your Visit - Zion NP

Plan Your Visit - Goblin Valley SP

A BOO-tiful Place for a Ghost Town - Grafton, Utah

Burr-Raving the Burr Trail

An All American Road - Scenic UT-12
Denice's Blog North Rim of the Grand Canyon

There are two campgrounds within the boundaries of Canyonlands National Park.  They are:  Squaw Flat Campground in The Needles District and Willow Flat Campground in the Island in the Sky District. 

There aren't any food, lodging, or gas services available within the Park's boundaries.  The closest services, listed by district, can be found in the following towns:

-  Island in the Sky:  Moab, Utah (population of 5,130 as of 2013) is 32 miles from the Island in the Sky Visitor Center) and offers a nice variety of food and lodging options. 

-  The Needles:  Monticello, Utah (population 1,975 as of 2013) is 48 miles from the Needles Visitor Center and offers some locally owned restaurants and hotels
-  The Maze:  From the Hans Flat Ranger Station - Hanksville, Utah (population 215 in 2013) is 61 miles and offers a limited selection of food and lodging options or Green River, Utah (population 929 as of 2013) is 84 miles and (because of its close proximity to I-70) offers the best selection of national chain hotels and restaurants. 

Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I recommend checking a trusted travel source for current reviews.  

CONTACT INFORMATION:  Canyonlands NP,  2282 Resource Blvd. Moab, UT 84532

Phone:  (435) 719-2313

GENERAL INFORMATION:  This year-round park is Utah’s larges national park (337,598 acres or 527,497 square miles).  It offers a variety of recreational opportunities like hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, four-wheel driving, and lots of photo opportunities.  

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories.  To start planning your memorable trip to Canyonlands National Park click on the “Plan Your Visit” link below:

Plan Your Visit - Canyonlands NP