Canyonlands National Park
UTAH, USA
Canyonlands National Park is truly phenomenal! I invite you to explore the countless canyons and bewildering buttes that make this wilderness feel exceptionally wild. Rivers divide the park into three districts; Island in the Sky, Needles, and The Maze district each have their own unique opportunities for adventure.
Accommodations.
There are no lodging or dining facilities within the park. Your nearest dining and lodging opportunities include Moab, northeast of Canyonlands nearest Island in the Sky, Monticello, southeast of Canyonlands nearest the Needles District, and Green River, North of Canyonlands near The Maze. The districts each have their own entrances and are hours apart.
There are two campgrounds; one at The Needles where you may reserve some individual and group sites and one at Island in the Sky where sites are first-come, first-served. Backcountry camping is also available for those who are experienced enough to enjoy the extensive trails designed for backpacking, four-wheel driving, boating, and bicycling.
There are numerous picnicking areas throughout the park that provide shade and tables; we packed a cooler each morning full of water and our food for the day when visiting Canyonlands and utilized these spots. There are water fill-up stations throughout the park; it is important to have a map to know where these stations are.
Island in the sky.
We found Island in the Sky to be the
TRAIL: Mesa Arch
DIFFICULTY: Very Easy
DESCRIPTION: One of the busiest trails in the park and for good reason! A short .5-mile stroll over some sand and
TRAIL: White Rim Overlook
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a flat, just under 2 mile hike to an east-facing overlook for views of the Colorado River, Monument Basin, and La Sal Mountains. There is very limited trailhead parking, but some really awesome views from just off the parking lot if you’re not down for the hike.
TRAIL: Murphy Point
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DESCRIPTION: 1.8 flat miles to a gorgeous cliff edge where we enjoyed some rock hopping and a gorgeous sunset despite the smoke pollution from a nearby forest fire. At 3.6 miles round-trip, this is a fairly easy hike with a great pay off! If you hike for sunset, be sure to bring your headlamp and watch out for low flying bats on your return hike.
TRAIL: Upheaval Dome
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
DESCRIPTION: A crater-view trail with a couple of different theories on and an opportunity to educate yourself on the mystery. The first overlook is about .3 miles in to the hike after climbing about 150 feet via stone steps. Thin out the crowds and continue on to the second viewpoint, which will add an additional mile and elevation change to your hike. We had some fun climbing around the rock formations and marveling at what could have caused the different color folds.
TRAIL: Aztec Butte
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
DESCRIPTION: Explore ancestral Puebloan granaries and ruins along the edge of a dome shaped butte that rises 225 feet above the mesa. Nestle yourself into the natural alcoves of the rim trail and enjoy some mid afternoon shade with a view of Taylor Canyon. At just under 2 miles, this hike has a steep climb to the top of the butte but otherwise traverses flat, sandy, grassy plains.
The Needles District.
We might’ve seen four people all day at Needles and not a single one of those people were found on the trail. Enjoy the canyons and spires of the great american outback; peep the folks in the visitor center at opening for the opportunity to feel the ‘Salute Your Shorts’ nostalgia of a trumpet playing while the flag is being raised.
TRAIL: Cave Springs
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DESCRIPTION: At only .6 miles this trail was a welcomed easy stroll compared to our previous 10- mile adventure. Although not strenuous, the trail does involve a number of ladders and cave-like overhangs which is exciting! Enjoy a look at a historic cowboy camp & prehistoric petroglyphs on a fun little walk through some interesting terrain.
TRAIL: Pothole Point
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DESCRIPTION: About a .5 mile loop over
TRAIL: Peekaboo Springs
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
DESCRIPTION: Follow the cairns through 10 miles of sandy canyon bottoms, over slick rock, up a few ladders, and a few scrambles to a brilliant rock art site. Enjoy crossing Squaw and Lost Canyons, climbing headwalls with views of the La Sal Mountains and Six Shooter Peak and climbing through rock openings. Be sure to pack ample snacks and water; you are very exposed on this hike so many sure you are wearing appropriate sun protection.
Pictographs 
Beautiful Overlooks 
AWESOME Trails
TRAIL: Druid Arch
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
DESCRIPTION: Druid Arch is another popular, but long hike through the Needles District Backcountry. This trip explores canyons, and involves some light rock scrambling but will provide spectacular views. There are three backpacking sites along this trail and seasonal water.
The Maze district.
Due to the remote nature of this undeveloped land, we did not have the opportunity to explore The Maze although guided hikes in horseshoe canyon are offered most Spring and Fall weekends. It is requested that individuals obtain backpacking permits to explore the remote, primitive trails of The Maze.
Canyonlands is wild! Prepare your days ahead of time to fit as much exploration in as you can; I would say at minimun you should spend one day in the Island in the Sky District and an additional day in the Needles District. Be sure to pack in (and out) all of your hydration and nurishing needs. I went for the long hauls in the lightest pair of hiking books I owned and made sure to bring my Chacos for shorter trails; they were MORE than durable and I wouldn’t hike in the deser without them.
That looked like an epic adventure – well done to you and your gang for doing it. Those shots you took of the sunset are simply stunning!
such an epic trip! 17 days in Utah… ultimate Utah Road Trip post coming up next month ❤️
The adventure looks great. And it is so awesome. The pictures are so darn awesome… The sunset looks beautiful.. And yes it is truly phenomenal!
it’s such a beautiful spot! Thank you!!
All of these images are making me ITCH to jump on a plane and go there. Before we moved to Italy, I was trying to squeeze in that trip, but it never happened! When we move back to the states, the visit is definitely going to be on my priority list!
oh no! YOU HAVE TO!
That place looks beautiful! I don’t think I had ever heard of canyonlands national park, but I will certainly have to check it out!
it’s not an overly popular one… most people choose arches but I say make time for both!! (:
This one of my family’s to go destinations. After this article we want to see this place even more.
I just went to Utah for the first time two weeks ago for work. Unfortunately, I was busy at a conference that I didn’t get to enjoy the touring the beautiful land. My husband and I are planning on making a trip there to get to enjoy the state. This post is perfect for planning and I definitely will pin this. Love how you included the difficulty of each hike…super helpful!
I like the photographs. I will visit this place probably next year. Good to have this information now.