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Tips for Visiting Canyonlands National Park

It may be Utah’s largest National Park, but it receives less recognition and fewer visitors compared to others. We visited Canyonlands National Park after our visit to Arches National Park. Here are some guides and tips for visiting Canyonlands National Park with kids.

Canyonlands vista

The park is divided into three regions or districts: Island in the Sky, the Maze and the Needles.  Each unique in its own way. 

There are no direct roads linking the districts. Travel time between each district can range between 2-6 hours. We covered Island in the Sky district during this visit.

canyonlands road

Going Into the Island in the Sky District

We knew we were in for some dramatic rock formations when these two huge monoliths, Merrimac and Monitor, appeared in the distance seemingly guarding the park’s entrance. For history buffs, they may sound familiar as the US Civil War ships. For geology enthusiasts, they’re large buttes (pronounced byoots).

Canyonlands merrimac monitor

While its name may sound like a floating oasis, the 40-square mile Island in the Sky is actually a mesa or a flat topped mountain connected to the rest of the park by a small land bridge. It sits 1,000 feet above the vast landscape of canyon country like an observation post.

Grand View Point Overlook

This ideal location allowed for plenty of overlooks along the sandstone cliffs into panoramic views of red-rock canyons, spires and sculpted rock formations. Each lookout offered something different and each one demanded our attention.

Shafer Canyon overlook

Canyonlands National Park Overlooks

The first one we stopped at was the Shafer Canyon Overlook. The twisting Shafer Trail is visible below and only accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle. They built the trail in the early 1900s to relocate livestock to different pastures.

Shafer Canyon overlook

One of the park’s main attractions is the Mesa Arch. It is precariously connected to the side of the mesa (hence its name).

Mesa arch canyonlands

We did the relatively easy half mile (.8 km) loop on a nature trail filled with juniper trees. Thank goodness it was short because the summer heat was scorching with low 90-degree (F) temperatures. This was one of the more family friendly hikes.

Canyonlands Mesa Arch trail

Mesa Arch provided a window to a spectacular scenery of various rock formations below. This was the view from the left side. You can imagine how spectacular this area must be during sunrise or sunset.

Canyonlands Mesa Arch

The view from the right side of the arch. Notice the huge drop off from the cliff.

Canyonlands Mesa Arch

Further down the road was the view of the western side from one of the lookout points – the Orange Cliffs Overlook.

Orange Cliffs Overlook

Grand View Point Overlook

The main park road loops into the Grand View Point Overlook. It was the ideal name for a lookout that allowed us to see a majority of this region. Like many of the lookout points, this one offered excellent accessibility, but it was lined with juniper branches.

Grand View Point overlook branches

Once we got to the viewing platform, the panoramic scenery seemed to endlessly stretch out over distant canyons towards the Needles District.

Grand View Overlook Needles

Standing there and admiring this stunning landscape, words were unnecessary. These pictures can barely capture that beauty.

Grand View overlook

The Geology of the Park

Canyonlands National Park has earned the title of a “showcase of geology” due to its remarkable landscape, which water, ice, wind, and gravity shaped over thousands of years.

Grand View Overlook

While not clearly visible from up here, the Colorado River and the Green River, were the driving forces that shaped many of the landforms seen here.

Grand View Overlook
Grand View Overlook

We sat down and looked out to soak up the captivating view. While not as deep or extensive as the Grand Canyon, the canyons here were just as incredible. 

One of the things we loved about this park were the lack of crowds. The astounding scenery was made to enjoy in solitude.

It’s unfortunate that Canyonlands gets far fewer visitors than the other Utah parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches) considering its proximity to Arches. I guess it’s also a good thing since it’s best to enjoy this incredible landscape without the crowds and in silence.

Its name may conjure up an image of a floating isle in a fairy tale setting but there really was something “magical” about Canyonland’s Island in the Sky.  It may not be at the top of most people’s list when visiting National Parks, but a visit here, no matter how brief, is a treasured experience.  We left planning a return trip and excited to explore more of what this park and area had to offer for our family.

Grand View Point Overlook

Tips for Visiting Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky

  • Island in the Sky is the easiest to access with enough attractions to satisfy those short on time.  The nearest town is Moab, Utah which was about 40 minutes away. Canyonlands National Park is usually open year-round, 24 hours a day.
  • Stock up on water, food and gas. There are no services available in the park.
  • Viewpoints were easily accessible with plenty of parking.
  • Most viewpoints have no railings so keep a close watch on the kids.
  • Restroom facilities, with the exception of the Visitor’s center, were structures built over hole in the grounds.
  • Go inside the Visitor’s Center for exhibits, general information and to get the Junior Ranger packet for the kids.
  • The visitor center is normally open daily from early March through December, and closed for Christmas (December 25). In January and February, the visitor center is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
  • Fees: $10 per car and good for 7 days;  Free with National Park Pass.

*Have you explored Canyonlands National Park?  What were your impressions?

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50 thoughts on “Tips for Visiting Canyonlands National Park”

  1. Several years back (& long before kids), a girlfriend & I visited Moab for a weekend getaway. We had only one day to sight see & opted for Arches instead of Canyonlands. I always wondered what I’d missed. Wow!!!!

  2. Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista

    Haven’t made it out to Canyonlands yet but would love to some day! The National Parks I have been to in Utah are amazing. The scenery is amazing and Canyonlands looks like it is equally as beautiful.

    1. SW Utah has some of the best sceneries and National parks. I think it’s the combination of the unique formations and red rocks. Canyonlands was just as beautiful as those other parks.

  3. Canyonlands is my husband’s favorite national park. It’s right up there for me too. It’s hard to beat those amazing vistas and though you took some beautiful pictures, I agree that most photos just don’t do Canyonlands justice. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip!

    1. I can see why this owuld be your husband’s favorite national park. It’s become one of our favorites too. I love that it’s not as crowded as Arches and you can really enjoy its beauty without anyone disturbing you. We hope to make it back and visit the Needles district.

  4. We only had time for one park in that area and chose Arches. I loved Arches, but I feel like this park brings some of the hoodoos from Bryce Canyon too. Seems like a fantastic way to spend the day!

    1. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. We haven’t been to Bryce yet but would love to see the hoodoos. I think those are more accessible than Canyonlands. We got lucky and had time to visit both but hoping to spend more time in Moab. It’s such an awesome area to explore.

    1. Thanks Tonya! This is one of those places that really need to be seen in person to fully experience the park. We had a somewhat hazy day so it was also hard to see far out into the canyons. Just try not to go in the summer. :)

  5. That just looks other worldly. If your photos don’t do it justice it must have been truly amazing to see. The view through the arch on the right side looking out over the landscape … wow!

  6. What an incredible landscape! We’re planning a Southwest road trip, and this is someplace we’ve never been, so I think our route should go through here.

    1. Thanks Michele! It’s too bad it’s less popular but the great thing is being able to enjoy it without all the tourists. I know those cattle drives may have been something. I think you can re-trace their steps and route but using 4×4 vehicles.

  7. Wow, that’s stunning! As an East Coast-er, I’m always shocked that there are such stunning places in our country that I know absolutely nothing about. Have to get out West much more one of these days.

    1. Thanks Tara! I think i can say the same thing about the East Coast living in Southern CA. This part of Utah is absolutely amazing with many more stunning landscapes. I hope you get to make it out to this side of the country soon to explore our National Parks.

  8. Such grand views of one of my favourite places in the world. I mountain biked The Maze for a week and I have dreams of forever biking through the sand near Monitor and Merrimac. Arches and Canyonlands were consistently a great place for our family holidays when the kids were teenagers. We loved staying at The Sunflower Inn in Moab.
    Fabulous photos that brought back great memories Mary.

    1. Thanks Leigh! I remember your fond memories of Moab and your National Park visits. I haven’t read anyone visiting the Maze and yet, I’m not surprised you mountain bike it. I’m glad these pictures brought you back and you had such a great visit there. We hope to have many more memories with our kids around this area too. I will need to look at Sunflower Inn.

  9. What an incredibly beautiful place! You are really inspiring me to visit some of these incredible US National Parks – most of which I have never heard of before. I have always equated visiting National Parks with camping (which I won’t do) but it seems like you do most of your visits as day trips which appeals to me much more. I have never known how to pronounce “butte” either so thank you for that! :)

    1. Thanks Lisa! I have never gone camping either and refuse to do one unless I’m in an RV. My husband hasn’t agreed to those conditions yet. :) We’ve done all our National Park visits as day trips or spread out over a few days. There are usually small towns with a variety of lodging options outside the parks. Some of the parks also have lodging inside. Some of them with 4 and 5-star ratings. I hope you visit the US National Parks soon. They’re so varied and scenic which I’m sure you’d really like.

  10. Beautiful photos, Mary! I loved learning about this lesser known park through your post. Those arches are amazing, and you captured them so well. Looks like your son was taking notes as he sat in one of the rock formations–impressive! :)

    1. Thanks Kate! My son was doing his work to earn the Junior Rangers badge for Canyonlands. One I’m sure your little one will do when he’s grown up a bit. It keeps them busy and learning.

    1. Thank you Lisa! Utah, in my opinion, has more dramatic landscapes than Arizona (with the exception of the Grand Canyon). I hope you get to visit this area when you return to the US.

    1. Thanks Steve! Yes, it definitely needs a DQ or even just vending machines that worked. The visitor’s center can make so much money just by selling water bottles but I guess they also don’t want to deal with litter.

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