A Complete Guide to Visiting Canyonlands National Park

Winding up the road to your first Canyonlands National Park overlook, you’ll feel the curious buzz in your bones telling you something exciting is afoot. When you step out of your car, head to an overlook, and take in the first unobstructed view of this national park, you’re building a memory that will stay with you for the rest of your life. The unfathomable expanse of valleys, plateaus, spires, canyons, slots and mountains you can see in a single view will disarm you in a powerful way.

With that first peek into this national park, you will see every outdoor activity at your fingertips when you dive deeper into the desert. 

Are you ready to plan your first experience in Canyonlands? Here is everything you need to know before you visit Canyonlands National Park.

What is Canyonlands National Park?

When it comes to the country’s national parks, Canyonlands National Park is one of the most unique and breathtaking areas on the list. Canyonlands stands out with unique formations, winding desert rivers, and expansive views that seem to go on for hundreds of miles. Canyonlands is located in SouthEast Utah, only about 40 minutes from Moab. Canyonlands covers about 527 square miles of rugged desert and red rock beauty. 

Canyonlands is split up into four major areas:

With every desert activity at your fingertips in this park, there is no shortage of things to discover. 

History of Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is a breathtaking testament to the artistry of Mother Nature, meticulously sculpted over millions of years. This awe-inspiring landscape has witnessed the passage of time on a grand scale, with a history that reaches beyond recorded memory. For thousands of years, this land had ancient inhabitants who learned to work with nature to create a thriving community. There is still evidence of the lives of these people visible in the park today, from ancient rock art to ruins that showcase the ingenuity of its inhabitants. Ute and Navajo tribes have also lived in this area, fostering a deep connection with the land. Spanish and American settlers of the 18th and 19th centuries traveled through this area in search of trade routes and resources. 

Eventually, the area’s distinct beauty caught the attention of conservationists and on September 12, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson officially established Canyonlands as a national park, 35 years after Arches became a national monument.

Perfect Candidates for a Canyonlands Adventure

There are several types of groups that should witness the powerful existence of Canyonlands. 

• Big groups that want an easier time finding camping than in Arches National Park.
• People looking for a challenge in the backcountry.
• Travelers that want to see amazing views without having to hike for miles.
• Families with kids that want easy access to short hiking trails, large campsites, and river activities. 

Whatever your reason for wanting to visit Canyonlands, it is sure to take your breath away.

Why You Should Visit Canyonlands National Park

It’s Less Touristy Than Other Parks

The sweeping, silent terrain of Canyonlands does get its fair share of visitors (over 700,000 annually), but there are many opportunities to take a road less traveled and find yourself completely alone, especially during the off-season, weekdays or early mornings. Travelers who want to avoid lines, crowded parking lots, and the general masses don’t have to work as hard to break free of the people and find their little slice of the park. 

Sweeping Vistas

The unique topography of Canyonlands means that the horizons stretch for so long that your eyes almost can’t fathom the view. From popular overlooks like Grand View Point Overlook, it’s almost like looking back millions of years before humankind ever impacted the earth. 

Immense and Unique Silence

Thanks to the unforgiving terrain, sturdy desert flora, unsocial wildlife and wide-open environments, Canyonlands National Park can connect you to the most powerful silence you have ever experienced. Once you make it out of earshot from other visitors, you can take a moment to appreciate not having a single sound penetrate your attention as you soak in the views. It’s an eerie phenomenon you can only understand once you experience it yourself!

Gorgeous Hikes

Once you dip a toe into the kinds of views in this park, you’ll want to dive head-first into some desert hikes. Canyonlands offers some of the best hikes in Moab that will connect you to even more viewpoints than the ones accessible by car, and potentially grant you and your group an intimate moment experiencing the park with no others around (depending on when you visit the park).

Hikes in Canyonlands NP span from simple pathways to intense, long, and technical routes, so you can choose the best option for your group. 

Convenient and Beautiful Camping

Canyonlands is known to have some of the best camping near Moab, with many reservable and first-come-first-serve options. Canyonlands campsites are spread out, making finding a private area to call your temporary home much easier than other national parks. 

Exciting Canyonlands Activities

There are so many ways to fill your days in and around Canyonlands! The most popular choices are backcountry drives and day hikes, but you can also find areas for mountain biking, off-roading, rafting, canoeing, climbing, photography, ranger-led programs and relaxing with a view—practically any outdoor activity you enjoy is upgraded in Canyonlands. 

Things To Know Before You Visit Canyonlands

Where is Canyonlands?

Canyonlands is in Southeast Utah, about 40 minutes from Moab. The closest major cities to Canyonlands are Grand Junction, CO (about 112 miles away) and Salt Lake City, UT (about 230 miles away). 

How much time does it take to visit Canyonlands?

Often, Canyonlands is considered a quick day trip from Moab, Arches National Park, and other hot spots in the area. And it’s great for that! But if you want the full Canyonlands experience, we recommend popping up a tent and staying for 2-3 days. This way, you can plan some hikes, river activities, and anything else you want to experience while still having precious downtime at the campsite. 

How much does it cost to visit Canyonlands?

If you are simply visiting the park, your NP pass will cover the $30-per-car fee, which is good for seven days. However, you may incur additional expenses for any special hiking/backpacking/canyoneering permits or commercial tours you want to pursue. 

When is the best time of year/day to visit Canyonlands?

It depends on whether you care about ideal weather or crowd levels! If you want perfect temperatures, April to May or September to October are great times to visit. Summer is very hot (often over 100 degrees) and a busy season. In winter, temperatures can dip into the 40s with snow, but there are fewer crowds. 

How accessible is Canyonlands?

There are varying levels of accessibility across the park. Island in the Sky is the most accessible area, with clearly paved roads and some wheelchair-accessible pathways. The other zones tend to be harder to reach, with more rugged resources. 

How should I prepare for visiting Canyonlands?

Desert safety is the number one priority when visiting Canyonlands! You can properly prepare by creating a game plan, ensuring you have a dependable vehicle, making the necessary reservations, such as camping or special hiking permits, bringing plenty of water and food, staying hydrated at all times, and protecting yourself from the sun. 

What should I bring when visiting Canyonlands?

Whether it’s a day trip, camping excursion or backcountry adventure, the #1 thing to bring is water everywhere you go! From sun protection to fuel to navigation, see more info on what to pack here. 

Getting to Canyonlands

How to Get to Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands NP is less than an hour’s drive from Moab, making Moab to Canyonlands an easy day trip. It’s largely considered a road trip destination, with visitors driving cross-country to witness the remarkable views. There are also regular flights that can get you from Salt Lake City to Moab in a fraction of the time. 

Other Options for Seeing Canyonlands

While getting to Canyonlands is generally a driving destination, you can cover much more ground quickly with a Canyonlands airplane tour. In just an hour, you can get a bird’s eye view of all of the four districts of this park, with many views you can’t reach by car or on foot. 

Canyonlands National Park Attractions

Canyonlands spans across 527 square miles, and each one holds endless attractions to witness. While there are too many to list, here are just a few of our favorite things to do in Canyonlands National Park.

• Mesa Arch: You’ve probably seen this arch before, even if you didn’t know it! It is a long, expansive arch in the Island in the Sky district that perfectly frames the red rock formations in the distance.
• Grand View Point: This Island in the Sky overlook has one of the most iconic views in the park, and it’s a short hike to the view. Families with small children and novice hikers can come to this overlook and know that they can still get a dramatic view without straying too far.  
• Green River Overlook: This easy-to-access viewpoint in the Island in the Sky district that provides sweeping views of the Green River, the remote Maze District and may plateaus. 
• Upheaval Dome: A striking geological feature in the Island in the Sky district, the creation of this natural phenomenon is largely a mystery. Upheaval Dome is best seen from the sky on an aerial tour!

Types of Canyonlands Tours

Canyonlands can be seen from many different angles. One of our favorites is from high above! Here are all of our aerial tours that cover some or all of Canyonlands National Park. 

Canyonlands Airplane Tour

• Duration: 1 hour
• Price: $279 per person and $210 for children 2-12

This hour-long Canyonlands National Park Airplane tour will soar over all four districts of the park and grant you with stunning aerial vantage points of the Needles, Upheaval Dome, the Colorado River, and so much more. During the trip, your pilot will point out what to focus on and share stories of the area. 

Edge of Canyonlands Helicopter Tour

• Duration: 45 minutes
• Price: $359/person

While helicopters are not permitted to fly over the park, we designed a Canyonlands helicopter tour that skirts the edge of the park so you can still get stunning views of Island in the Sky, the Colorado River and more.

Canyonlands and Arches Airplane Tour

• Duration: 80 minutes
• Price $359/person and $269 for children 2-12

See Arches and Canyonlands National Park in one airplane tour! In just two hours, you’ll get to see the most remarkable landmarks and features of both world-renowned national parks, like Upheaval Dome, Delicate Arch, and many more.

Many of our airplane tours include stunning views of Canyonlands as they fly to other scenic areas. Check out all of the options here!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Canyonlands

Not Reserving a Campsite During Busy Season

There are first-come-first-served campsites in Canyonlands, but the busy season is competitive! Reserve a campsite to avoid spending the night in a parking lot as you wait for your opportunity to set up camp. 

Not Being Safe About Heat and Sun Exposure

It’s a whole different level of heat here, especially in the summertime. There is minimal shade to rest under as you explore, so you need to bring your own! Wear sunshirts, hats, and sunscreen to avoid the worst of the swelter. And, of course, stay hydrated!

Bringing a Dog

Canyonlands itself is not dog friendly. If you still want to bring your four legged friend, here is a dog-friendly guide to Moab that has several hikes they can join in on. 

Being Flippant About Gas

If you’re planning on visiting multiple national and state parks in one trip, make sure you have a full tank of gas. If you find yourself up the stream without a paddle, it will take a while to get help! 

Not Bringing Enough Food/Supplies

Thanks to the strenuous activities and unforgiving environment that Canyonlands provides, you may need more water and fuel than usual. Account for that in your camping, exploring or backpacking rations! 

What To Do and See When Visiting Canyonlands

Airplane Tour of Canyonlands

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again! Canyonlands is best experienced from the sky. See all our aerial tours to find the right one for you and your group.

Popular Canyonlands National Parks Hikes

The top activity people do in Canyonlands NP is hiking. Canyonlands National Park trails range from easy strolls with accessible views to technical, advanced routes, so it’s important to choose wisely! 

• Syncline Loop: A challenging, 8-mile loop that climbs over 1600 feet but leads to breathtaking views of the park. 
• Gooseberry Trail: Only 4 miles, but climbs a dizzying 1,400 feet on this steep trail. You will be rewarded with spectacular plateau vistas! 
• Fiery Furnace Viewpoint: Almost 9 miles, this strenuous and technical hike through slot canyons and narrows requires agility and diligent navigation. NOTE: You need a permit or guide for this hike!

Best Camping in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is the unsung hero of Southern Utah camping. With reservable and first-come-first-serve options, planners and fly-by-the-seats-of-your-pants-ers will each have an opportunity to thrive. 

Here are our favorites:

• Willow Flats Campground: A first-come-first-serve campground that is a short stroll from the infamous Green River Overlook.
• Needles Campground: Needles Campground gives you access to toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and even a few hidden gem trails. There are first-come-first-serve and reservable spots available. 

Additional Canyonlands Activities

Stargazing

When the sun goes down, the stars come out to play. If you have lived in the city, you haven’t seen a night sky like this! See millions of stars, a brilliant moon, planets, and maybe even a comet if you’re lucky. 

Off-roading

Kick up some dust off-roading in Canyonlands! Island in the Sky has great off-roading trails for ATVs to rock and roll, like White Rim Loop or Elephant Hill Road. 

Photography

Photography skills are honed among these canyons, spires and plateaus, with ample opportunities to experiment with sunshine during golden hour, sunset views, or a powerful sunrise. Experts and novice shutterbugs will leave Canyonlands with a camera busting with stunning images.  See our Moab photography tips here!

What to do After You Visit Canyonlands National Park

Ready to have a one-of-a-kind experience visiting Canyonlands National Park? Check out our Canyonlands aerial tours for a full and seamless overview of everything you can do in this park. See you in the sky soon!

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