10 Amazing Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is an amazing landscape of canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado River and its numerous tributaries in southeastern Utah. The park is divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, Needles, Maze, and the Colorado and Green Rivers. Each district provides its distinct landscapes and experiences.

Canyonlands National Park Entrance Fees

Individual Entrance

$15 per person which is valid for 7 days. This option is ideal for trekkers, cyclists, and backpackers looking to explore the park without a car.

Vehicle Entrance

$30 per vehicle valid for 7 days. This applies to a standard private vehicle with a capacity of 15 passengers or less. Suitable for roadtrippers and families looking to explore the beautiful landscapes and overlooks.

Annual Passes

$55 Canyonlands yearly Pass is valid for one year only at Canyonlands National Park.

$80 the United States the Beautiful Annual Pass provides access to all National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands for one year, including Canyonlands, Arches, and over 2,000 other amazing places across the country. This pass is especially valuable if you plan to visit several parks during your trip.

Other Useful Passes

• Senior Pass ($20) Available to US citizens or permanent residents aged 62 and up, it provides lifetime access to all National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands.
• The Access Pass ($20) provides lifetime free admission to Canyonlands National Park and Federal Recreational Lands for US citizens or permanent residents with severe disabilities.
• Active-duty military personnel, their dependents, and retired veterans with a 100% disability are eligible for a free lifetime pass.
• Every fourth-grader in the United States receives a free annual pass to all National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands through the Every Kid in a Park initiative.

How to get to Canyonlands National Park

Know your districts. Canyonlands National Park is divided into three districts, each with its own set of activities. The most popular attraction is the Island in the Sky, which can be reached via paved roads, with Mesa Arch and Balanced Rock taking centre stage. The Needles district rewards 4WD enthusiasts with incredible rock formations and challenging trails. The Maze, a true backcountry haven, requires permits and self-reliance from those seeking peace.

 A classic American road trip! From Salt Lake City, take I-15 South to US-6 East towards Price. Follow US-191 south to Moab, which is the entry point to Canyonlands. From Las Vegas, take I-15 north to Exit 132 for I-70 East. Follow the signs for US-191 South and Moab. Enjoy the beautiful drive and the changing landscapes.

There are some options, though limited. Greyhound buses stop in Grand Junction, Colorado, and Green River, Utah, with connecting van service to Moab. Amtrak, which also stops at Grand Junction, which was where vans can transport you to Moab. Remember to account for transfer times and potentially limited schedules.

The closest airport, Moab Regional Airport (CNY), is 20 miles from the park’s entrance. Major airlines provide seasonal and limited daily flights from several hubs.

Salt Lake City International Airport. A greater centre with more flight options. From here, you can take connecting flights to Moab or rent a car for the beautiful travel.

Bike the Moab to Park City Spur. This beautiful, defined follow is an excellent way to take in the region’s beauty. Rent a bike in Moab and take a comfortable 13-mile ride.

Rafting the Colorado River. Take a multi-day whitewater adventure through the heart of Canyonlands. Guided tours cater to a variety of skill levels.

Canyonlands’ minimal light pollution allows for breathtaking night skies. Take a star chart and look at the heavenly wonders.

Best time to visit Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands are best visited in the autumn months and late spring when crowds are smaller and temperatures are more delicate.

During the summer, crowds and heat are at an all-time high, limiting your exploration opportunities to the early morning and late afternoon.

Winter is a unique time to visit because the Canyonlands National park remains cold but does not receive a lot of snow. The orange-hued canyon covered in snow is stunning. In addition, this is the best view of Mesa Arch’s infamous “Appear Glowing”.

National Park, Canyonlands is Split into Four Districts

Island in the Sky

• Consider a mesa 1,000 feet above the surrounding canyons, with stunning vistas that stretch to the future. Island in the Sky is Canyonlands’ most accessible and popular district. As you drive along scenic byways, sandstone giants such as Mesa Arch and Landscape Arch provide breathtaking views.
• Hike the Mesa Arch Trail, a short and sweet path that leads to the iconic arch, or test your limits at the Delicate Arch Perspective where the balancing act of a natural arch against the sky will leave you breathless.

The Needle

• Head south into The Needles, where towering rock peaks, appropriately named “needles,” through the cerulean sky. Photographers and adventurers will love this maze of canyons and mesas.
• Hike the Cave Spring Canyon Evidence, which leads through slot canyons and past ancient a collection of For a true challenge, take on the 10-mile Slickrock Trail, which increases structures and provides breathtaking views.

The Maze

• Looking for the ultimate being alone and perfect in the wilderness? The Maze, Canyonlands’ most remote and rocky district, invites. This labyrinth of canyons, carved by millions of years of erosion, is a photographer’s dream and a haven for seasoned backpackers.
• The Dollhouse Follow leads through deep canyons, past slot canyons and hidden arches. For the ultimate adventure, take a multi-day backpacking trip through The Maze, camping under bright skies and experiencing nature’s raw power.

The Rivers

The mighty Colorado and Green Rivers carve the heart of Canyonlands, creating a watery paradise for boaters and rafters. From gentle beautiful floats to adrenaline-pumping whitewater rapids, the rivers provide adventures for all skill levels.

For a relaxing day trip, float through Cataract Canyon, admiring the towering canyon walls and ancient petroglyphs. For thrill-seekers, try the rapids of Hopelessness Canyon or Labyrinth Canyon and feel the raw power of the Colorado River.

Related Post: 25 Best National Parks in the USA

10 Things to do in Canyonlands National Park

1. Go on a river rafting tour

Floating down the same river(s) that carved Canyonlands will give you a better understanding and appreciation for the park’s unique geology.

Depending on which part of the river you paddle, you will have a completely different experience. You can enjoy a more peaceful float above the Green and Colorado confluence, but once past it, the two rivers merge to form Class III and V whitewater rafting.

2. Ponder theories at Upheaval Dome

This massive and unusual crater filled with salt deposits is probably the most interesting site in Canyonlands. While the majority of canyonlands’ landscapes have remained unchanged for millions of years, Upheaval Dome is an exception.

Geologists debate how this formed, and while no conclusions have been reached, looking at it makes you wonder.

Was it caused by a meteorite colliding with the Earth over 60 million years ago?

Or was it the evaporation of ancient landlocked seas that once covered much of Southern Utah?

3. Watch the Sunrise at Mesa Arch

You’d think that the best arches in Utah would be limited to the appropriately named Arches National Park, but a quick search of Canyonlands will reveal the opposite.

Millions of photographers and visitors flock to this amazing archway to capture the first morning rays, which illuminate the canyon in a mysterious glow.

You’d be surprised how easy it is to get to such a spectacular location. The path is less than a mile long and nearly flat the entire way, making it easily accessible to anyone visiting Canyonlands.

4. White Rim Road

Looking down from the top of Canyonlands, you can’t help but notice a lower canyon shelf with a stark white rim. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see cars driving along Canyonlands’ most daring feat.

The 100-mile White Rim road provides an unforgettable experience. The journey around the canyon rim is unique and requires a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle, self-rescue skills, and self-sufficiency.

A typical journey around the rim takes 2-3 days to complete, but some people prefer to combine the adventure into one. It is also a popular bike-packing route.

5.  Aztec Butte

Follow a moderate, 1.6-mile trail to two ancient Puebloan granaries and a scenic butte with stunning views. This hike is one of the most unique things to do in Canyonlands National Park.

You’ll follow the sandy trail for slightly more than 0.25 miles before coming across a spur trail on your left that leads to the granaries. Once you’ve hiked out, you’ll follow the trail around the butte.

Parts of the trail require some light but enjoyable scrambling, so wear shoes with a bit of momentum!

6. Gallery at Horseshoe Canyon

For many people, seeing some of North America’s most significant and well-preserved rock art is on their bucket list. Although the journey to the artwork takes about a day, you will not be disappointed to see rock art that is estimated to be between 2,000 and 8,000 years old.

Horseshoe Canyon has many rock art viewing areas, but the most spectacular is known as the Great Gallery. It is 200 feet wide and 15 feet tall, and it features art from Desert Archaic cultures that predate Fremont and Ancestral Puebloans.

The drive from Moab takes about 2.5 hours, and the majority of it is on gravel. From there, you’ll have to hike 7 miles into the canyon. The hike is strenuous, with no water along the way.

7. Needles District

If you’re looking for longer, more rewarding trails to explore in Canyonlands, the Needles district is a hiker’s dream and avoids many of the crowds in Island in the Sky.

This district is most popular for backpacking, but there are over 60 miles of trails to explore of varying lengths and difficulty. Note that the trails in this district are more primitive and remote, so some experience is recommended before going.

• Discover stratified sandstone towers as you travel through ever-changing landscapes. Do the entire Chesler Park Loop for a more diverse adventure.
• Slickrock Trail offers breathtaking views of Canyonlands’ southeastern corner.
• Travel along a fault to see where the Colorado and Green Rivers merge. Enjoy the broad, open country.
• Hike along the bottom of Elephants Canyon to see one of the Needles’ most spectacular views.

8. Maze District

If you’re comfortable with self-sufficiency and near-complete isolation, the Maze is the ideal outdoor playground.

To visit this remote district of the park, permits, careful planning, self-rescue skills, and a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle are necessary. This adventure is not a joke.

The best way to experience the Maze is to take a slower, longer journey to appreciate its solitude and grandeur. Many people spend at least three days exploring the area because getting around takes some time.

9.  Go Stargazing

Canyonlands has little infrastructure, so light pollution is low, and the stars shine brightly after the sun goes down. Trust us: it’s worth staying up for!

Canyonlands has been designated as a Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Park due to its spectacular starry skies.

The best part is that the skies are almost completely clear, so you don’t have to go far to see billions of stars. On clear nights, you can watch the Milky Way dance across the sky.

10. Green River 

Canyonlands is full of breathtaking sunset locations. You could drive to any of the viewpoints and be blown away by the orange hues that illuminate the canyon.

However, the Green River Overlook stands out as one of the best views in the park, particularly at sunset. The Green River, which twists through the canyon, is popular among photographers.

The viewpoint itself is quite small, so you may want to arrive a little early to secure a good spot.

Final Thought

Canyonlands National Park, carved by the mighty Colorado and Green Rivers, is more than a park; it is a symphony of created canyons, towering mesas, and ancient mysteries. Millions of years of erosion have created a dramatic landscape that divides into four distinct districts, each offering its group of adventure.

FAQs About Canyonlands National Park