"Land of the Canyons" Top 5 Page for this destination Canyonlands National Park by goodfish

Canyonlands National Park Travel Guide: 203 reviews and 476 photos

Canyonlands National Park

Rugged, remote, desolate, dangerous and majestic, Canyonlands NP is also enormous. The park is divided into four districts (Island in the Sky, Needles, Horseshoe Canyon and the Maze) that are reached by separate entry points. All are a bit (or more) of a drive to get to and none of them are really designed to be explored by car. You need to be prepared to walk, scramble or climb more than a little bit to really experience the many wonders that most districts have to offer but your efforts will be rewarded many times over.

Chesler Park, Needles

Island in the Sky (closest to Moab: 32 miles) offers the longest scenic drive and trails ranging from .5 to 20-milers.

Needles is a 75-mile drive from Moab and has day hikes from an easy .3 mile RT stroll to multi-day treks of over 22 one-way.

Horseshoe Canyon is a remote 100 miles from Moab - 32 of them on rough dirt road - and has one 7-mile hike to the some of the most fantastic Barrier-style pictographs in the country.

The Maze is the least visited and the most challenging as trips into its canyons involve high-clearance, 4-wheel drive roads and days of backpacking plus topographic map, climbing and self-suffiency skills.

Different of the districts allow primitive camping, backpacking (with a permit), experienced 4-wheeling, and mountain biking so check out the NPS website for info on those.

Great Gallery, Horseshoe Canyon

Make Moab your base for Island in the Sky and combine your stay with Arches National and Dead Horse Point State parks - both of which are nearby and roughly on the way to the Island In the Sky park entrance. Arches offers a completely different experience (more time looking up than down) so you'll get an unbelievable variety within reasonable driving distances.

We stayed in Hanksville for the Horseshoe Canyon unit, and made the drive from Moab to Needles and back for the Chesler Park/Joint Trail trek: I'd camp if wanting to do more than one day of exploration there.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Fantastic vistas, not as crowded as other National Parks
Cons:None unless you are a couch potato
In a nutshell:Pick a canyon, any canyon, and it'll be amazing

Last visit to Canyonlands National Park: Sep 2011
Intro Updated Dec 26, 2011
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Reviews (25)

Hug a Ranger Local Customs (2)

Just kidding but gotta put in a plug here for the men and women of the NPS. We've come into contact with a lot of... more travel advice

Defaced rock - Canyonlands - Canyonlands National Park

Preserve and Protect Local Customs (2)

Our poor national parks and other historic sites suffer a lot of abuse. It's not just the millions of feet that wear... more travel advice

Happier at home - Canyonlands National Park

No Roving Rovers Warnings and Dangers (5)

Dogs and other pets are not allowed on any of the trails, in the backcountry or in the visitor center, and can only be... more travel advice

Cryptobiotic crust - Canyonlands National Park

Cairns and cryptobiotic crust Warnings and Dangers (5)

Cairns, those little pyramids of stones along the trail, are there for two reasons: A. To keep you from getting lost... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Moab and Hanksville accommodations
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Comments (11)

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Gillybob Nov 19, 2012 at 8:02 AM

Man, I SO have to win the lottery - and take to the National Parks of the USA - I could have an awful good time in so many places - how do I know? Because I'm utterly jealous of your photos and they tell me I could! Gillybob greetings
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  goodfish Nov 19, 2012 at 8:19 AM
  
  Gilly, we are fortunate enough to have some parks with scenery you just won't find anywhere in the world. I've loved them all (so far) but the "Big 5" in Utah are my favs: red-rock country must be seen to be believed! You MUST win that lottery! Oh, and no hurricanes in the Southwest!!! HA!
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  Gillybob Nov 19, 2012 at 11:31 AM
  
  Yeah - I prefer a holiday without a hurricane or a cyclone - they're SO much nicer! ;-)
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pfsmalo Jan 3, 2012 at 12:42 PM

Hi Kate, just popped in for your updates, you really do have some good pics. Did you know that Thelma and Louise drove off the cliff on the White Rim trail just below Dead Horse Point.
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Yaqui Oct 8, 2011 at 9:38 AM

Absolutley beautiful! Excellent page!
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penumbra Oct 3, 2011 at 6:11 PM

Looks a bit like the Drumheller area in Alberta, only dryier. Interesting range of colors and textures.
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BruceDunning May 25, 2009 at 3:57 PM

Well this is the one furthest north and I am going to try and see it also?Great comment intro
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agapotravel May 3, 2008 at 6:44 AM

Wow...this place looks breathtaking! We love hiking and can't wait to get our feet on the paths in Utah! :-)
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KiKitC Jul 7, 2007 at 2:29 PM

Thank you for the fantastic tips. Heading out there next month...can't wait to see it myself!
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johngayton Apr 27, 2006 at 1:43 PM

Tx for excellent tips, heading that way tomorrow, will make Moab Brewery a must visit!
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mikelisaanna Mar 10, 2006 at 6:36 PM

Great Canyonlands pictures and tips. It is one of our favorite national parks. Utah definitely has some amazing scenery!
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madamx Nov 9, 2005 at 6:51 AM

What stunning pictures! Canyonlands is on our list too, one day.