Canyonlands National Park | Great American Hikes

Canyonlands National Park

Park Overview

Just outside Moab in southeastern Utah, Canyonlands National Park protects more than 337,000 acres of some of the wildest and most dramatic terrain in the American Southwest. Established in 1964 to preserve the region’s extraordinary canyon country, the park has been sculpted over millions of years by the Colorado and Green Rivers, leaving behind an immense landscape of sheer-walled canyons, towering mesas, sandstone spires, natural arches, colorful rock formations, and seemingly endless desert wilderness. Unlike most national parks, Canyonlands is divided by the two rivers into several distinct districts that offer remarkably different experiences. Island in the Sky is the most accessible and popular, where visitors can stand thousands of feet above the surrounding canyon country at overlooks like Grand View Point and Green River Overlook, watch sunrise through iconic Mesa Arch, or venture onto the legendary White Rim Road. Farther south, The Needles offers a more intimate look at the park, with colorful sandstone spires, narrow canyons, ancient rock art, and some of Canyonlands’ best backcountry hiking and backpacking. Across the rivers lies The Maze, an extraordinarily remote wilderness of twisting canyons and isolated rock formations that requires careful planning and serious backcountry travel to explore. The Colorado and Green Rivers form another district, providing opportunities for paddling, rafting, and trips through Cataract Canyon, while the detached Horseshoe Canyon unit protects the remarkable Great Gallery and its ancient Indigenous rock art. With no roads connecting the park’s districts, Canyonlands is not a place visitors can fully experience in a single afternoon—it is an enormous desert wilderness where each district feels almost like a national park of its own and offers an entirely different way to explore Utah's canyon country.

Closest Airports

Canyonlands Regional - 15 miles (30 mins+)

Grand Junction Regional - 115 miles (1.5 hours+)

Salt Lake City Int'l - 240 miles (4 hrs+)

Lodging

Canyonlands National Park is unusual in that its three main districts are widely separated, so the best place to stay depends heavily on which district you plan to explore. There are no hotels, motels, cabins, or other traditional lodging anywhere within Canyonlands National Park, making the surrounding communities the primary bases for visitors.

Island in the Sky: For the park's most visited and accessible district, Moab is easily the best place to stay. The Island in the Sky Visitor Center is about 32 miles from Moab, and the town has by far the region's largest selection of hotels, motels, resorts, hostels, and vacation rentals. Options range from centrally located properties such as Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn to quieter or more upscale accommodations such as Moab Springs Ranch and Red Cliffs Lodge Moab. Moab is particularly convenient for visitors combining Canyonlands with Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, or other attractions around Moab.

The Needles: Visitors concentrating on The Needles should consider Monticello, which is the closest community offering full lodging and other services, about 48 miles from The Needles Visitor Center. Monticello has a modest selection of hotels, motels, cabins, and vacation rentals, including Inn at the Canyons, Abajo Lodge, and cabin-style properties offered by Canyonlands Lodging. Moab can also be used as a base, but the drive to The Needles is approximately 1½ hours each way, making Monticello considerably more convenient for multiple days in the district.

The Maze: Lodging becomes much more complicated when visiting The Maze, the park's most remote district. There is no lodging or developed campground within The Maze, and the nearest communities with services are Hanksville, about 61 miles from Hans Flat Ranger Station, and Green River, about 84 miles away. Hanksville has a small selection of accommodations, including Whispering Sands Motel, cabin-style lodging at Muddy Creek Mining Company, and numerous tiny homes, among other lodging options. However, visitors should understand that reaching Hans Flat is only the beginning: the heart of The Maze can require another three to six hours of high-clearance, four-wheel-drive travel, and the roads as extremely difficult and unsuitable for inexperienced drivers. For that reason, exploring The Maze is generally better approached as a backcountry expedition with overnight camping rather than as a conventional day trip from a hotel.

Horseshoe Canyon: Hanksville is the closest practical town for lodging and makes a good base for visitors approaching the canyon from the west via UT-24. There are no hotels, motels, or other lodging facilities anywhere near Horseshoe Canyon itself, so visitors should plan on staying well outside the unit. Hanksville has a small but useful selection of accommodations, including Whispering Sands Motel for traditional motel rooms, Muddy Creek Mining Company for cabin-style accommodations, and numerous tiny homes for rent. Because Horseshoe Canyon is extremely remote, staying in Hanksville still requires a substantial drive, including approximately 30 miles of graded dirt road from UT-24 to the Horseshoe Canyon Trailhead. Road conditions can deteriorate rapidly following rain or strong winds, so visitors should check current conditions before leaving town and carry plenty of water, food, fuel, and emergency supplies.

Camping

Island in the Sky: The most convenient campground is Island in the Sky Campground (Willow Flat), located inside the park near Green River Overlook. It has only 12 sites, all first-come, first-served, and is open year-round. It's arguably one of the most beautiful NPS campgrounds in the Southwest, if not the entire country. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and vault toilets are available, but there is no water, electrical hookups, showers, or dump station. Because of its small size, it routinely fills early during spring and fall. Just outside the park, along UT-313, visitors will find free dispersed campgrounds to camp at, with Horsethief Campground, Cowboy Camp Campground, and Lone Mesa Campground being the best options. All are primitive with no services. Beyond these, the greater Moab area has numerous BLM campgrounds, with Big Bend and Wild Goose Campgrounds being the most scenic. Neither have services. For visitors who want to camp deep within Island in the Sky, designated vehicle campsites are also available along the White Rim Road, including Airport, Gooseberry, Murphy, White Crack, Candlestick, Potato Bottom, Hardscrabble, and Labyrinth, but these are backcountry sites requiring permits rather than free dispersed campsites.

The Needles: The Needles Campground is arguably the best developed campground in Canyonlands, particularly for hikers planning several days in the district. It contains 26 individual sites with picnic tables, fire rings, toilets, and seasonal potable water. Some sites can be reserved during the busy spring-through-fall period, while others operate first-come, first-served. There are no electrical hookups or showers. Just outside the park, Needles Outpost provides another convenient developed camping option along with seasonal services and showers. For free dispersed camping, one of the better areas is on BLM land in Indian Creek within Bears Ears National Monument, along the approach to The Needles. BLM permits dispersed camping in previously disturbed areas up to 150 feet from designated routes, although campers must remain at least 300 feet from water sources and follow all current restrictions. Indian Creek also has inexpensive developed BLM campgrounds at Hamburger Rock, Creek Pasture, and Superbowl if you want basic facilities without staying inside Canyonlands.

The Maze: There is no developed campground in The Maze, which is consistent with the extremely remote nature of this district. Instead, overnight visitors generally camp at designated backcountry vehicle sites such as Maze Overlook, Doll House, Chimney Rock, Standing Rock, The Wall, Golden Stairs, and Teapot Canyon, among several others. These sites require a backcountry permit and reaching many of them requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle and considerable backcountry driving experience. Backpackers can also camp in permitted at-large backcountry zones, but overnight stays within Canyonlands require a permit, so there is no true free dispersed camping inside The Maze. Travelers wanting free camping before entering the district can instead look for legal dispersed camping on surrounding BLM lands toward Hanksville or Green River, with Temple Mount Campground being an excellent choice.

Horseshoe Canyon: Camping is particularly straightforward at the detached Horseshoe Canyon Unit because Horseshoe Canyon itself is closed to overnight camping, but primitive camping is available on adjacent public land near the west rim trailhead. This is generally the most convenient option for hikers who want to be at the trailhead early rather than making the long drive from Hanksville in the morning. Camping here is primitive—visitors should arrive completely self-sufficient with water, food, fuel, and everything needed for an overnight stay. Additional free dispersed camping can be found on surrounding BLM lands between UT-24 and the Horseshoe Canyon area, where permitted, making this the easiest Canyonlands unit for combining a visit with primitive camping. Because access involves many miles of dirt road and conditions can change dramatically after rain, campers should check current road conditions before committing to an overnight trip.

When to Visit

The best times to visit Canyonlands National Park are generally spring and fall, particularly April through May and mid-September through October, when daytime temperatures typically range from the 60s to 80s and conditions are much more comfortable for hiking, backpacking, camping, and exploring the park’s remote backcountry. Summer can be brutally hot, with daytime temperatures frequently approaching or exceeding 100°F, very little shade, and significant temperature swings between day and night, making longer hikes considerably more difficult and potentially dangerous. Visitors traveling from July through September should also factor in the Southwest’s monsoon season, when powerful afternoon thunderstorms can develop quickly and bring lightning, strong winds, heavy rain, and dangerous flash flooding. This is particularly important when hiking through canyons, washes, or other low-lying areas, where flooding can occur even when the storm itself is miles away; during this period, hikers should check the forecast, start early, and plan to be out of exposed or flood-prone terrain before afternoon storms develop. Winter offers solitude, smaller crowds, and occasional snow that can beautifully contrast with the park’s red-rock landscape, but daytime highs generally reach only the 30s to 50s while nighttime temperatures can fall into the single digits or teens. Snow and ice can also make trails and remote roads difficult or impassable, particularly in The Maze and other backcountry areas. Overall, late April through May and late September through October offer the best combination of comfortable temperatures, generally favorable hiking conditions, and accessibility for exploring Canyonlands.

Best Hikes

Horseshoe Canyon - 9 miles, 2,300' elevation gain (greatest collection of ancient pictographs in North America)
Chesler Park Loop - 10.5 miles, 1,900' elevation gain (Druid Arch is an incredible side trip)
Druid Arch - 10 miles, 1,500' elevation gain
Grand View Point - 2 miles, 200' elevation gain (the overlook does not require hiking, but the best views do
White Rim Overlook - 1.9 miles, 160' elevation gain
Mesa Arch - 0.6 miles, 50' elevation gain (one of the best sunrise views in the Southwest but it comes with big crowds)
Harvest Scene - 5.5 miles+, 800'+ elevation gain (high-clearance vehicle, boat shuttle, or river paddle required)

Backpacking the Needles: A Passage Through Time

All American Man pictograph Salt Creek Canyon

Uncovering the Hidden Treasures of Salt Creek Canyon: A Backpacker's Dream Come True

Hiking into the Past: Exploring Horseshoe Canyon in Canyonlands National Park

Inchworm Arch Escalante National Monument

Ten Days in Southern Utah: The Mighty Five & Beyond

More to Do

There is plenty to do in Canyonlands National Park beyond hiking, with scenic driving being one of the easiest ways to experience its enormous desert landscapes. Island in the Sky is particularly well suited for sightseeing, with a paved scenic road connecting overlooks such as Grand View Point, Green River Overlook, Buck Canyon Overlook, and Shafer Canyon Overlook, many of which require little or no walking. More adventurous visitors can explore the park’s extensive network of backcountry roads by four-wheel-drive vehicle, including the roughly 100-mile White Rim Road, the dramatic switchbacks of Shafer Trail, and challenging routes such as Elephant Hill in The Needles. Mountain biking is another popular way to experience the White Rim Road, while the Green and Colorado Rivers provide opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and multi-day river trips, including whitewater adventures through Cataract Canyon. Canyonlands is also an exceptional destination for photography, particularly around sunrise and sunset when low-angle light illuminates the park’s mesas, buttes, cliffs, and canyons. After dark, the park’s remote location and exceptionally dark skies make it one of the Southwest’s premier destinations for stargazing and Milky Way photography. Seasonal ranger programs provide opportunities to learn about the park’s geology, wildlife, archaeology, and human history, while horseback riding and backcountry camping offer additional ways to explore its more remote landscapes.

Know Before You Go

No timed-entry reservation is required. Canyonlands is open 24 hours a day, year-round, and visitors do not need a reservation simply to enter the park. Certain backcountry activities and roads do require permits.
There is no park shuttle, so you'll need your own vehicle to explore Canyonlands. The main roads through Island in the Sky and The Needles are paved, while many backcountry destinations require high-clearance 4WD vehicles.
Bring everything you need with you. Canyonlands is extremely remote and has very few services. There are no restaurants, gas stations, or stores inside the park, so fill your gas tank and stock up on food, water, and supplies before entering. This is especially important in the Needles, Maze, and Horseshoe Canyon Districts
Cell service is extremely limited. Island in the Sky has scattered coverage, but The Needles, Maze, and Horseshoe Canyon have little to none, and service is generally unavailable throughout much of the backcountry and along the rivers. Download maps and trail information before entering the park.
Backcountry roads are serious 4WD routes. Don't assume an SUV or AWD crossover is sufficient. Most backcountry roads require a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle with low-range gearing, and conditions can deteriorate rapidly after rain or snow. Commercial backcountry towing can cost well over $1,000.
Some backcountry roads require permits. Day-use permits are required for vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles traveling the White Rim Road, Elephant Hill Road, Lavender Canyon Road, and Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads. A day-use permit is not required for Shafer Trail or Potash Road.
Flash floods and thunderstorms are a concern. Summer monsoon storms can quickly flood washes and turn normally passable dirt roads into muddy or impassable routes. Never attempt to cross a flooded roadway, and check current conditions before heading into the backcountry.
Protect the biological soil crust. The dark, bumpy soil found throughout Canyonlands is alive and extremely fragile. Stay on established trails, slickrock, or other durable surfaces and never step on biological soil crust.
Pets are extremely restricted. Pets are permitted in developed campgrounds and along paved scenic drives but not on hiking trails, at overlooks, or in the backcountry.
ATVs and UTVs aren't permitted. Even street-legal off-highway vehicles cannot be used inside Canyonlands.
Always check road conditions before a backcountry drive. Conditions can change dramatically after storms, particularly in The Needles and The Maze. The NPS maintains a regularly updated Canyonlands Road Conditions page.

Visitor Center

Each of Canyonlands' districts has its own visitor contact facility. Island in the Sky, the most accessible and most commonly visited district from Moab, has the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, where visitors can speak with rangers, view exhibits and a park orientation film, purchase books and maps, obtain backcountry permits, use restrooms, and fill drinking water; it is generally open throughout the year, although days and hours are reduced during winter. The Needles, reached from UT-211 south of Moab, has the Needles Visitor Center, which offers exhibits, maps and books, backcountry permits, ranger assistance, a picnic area, restrooms, and drinking water. It is generally open daily from spring through fall but closes during the winter. The extremely remote Maze District and Horseshoe Canyon do not have a traditional visitor center; instead, visitors can stop at Hans Flat Ranger Station, reached via a long unpaved road from the Hanksville/Green River area. Hans Flat is generally open daily year-round and offers ranger assistance and a small selection of books and maps, along with a picnic table and vault toilet, but there is no potable water, food, fuel, trash service, or other visitor services in The Maze or Horseshoe Canyon. Visitors should also understand that Hans Flat is essentially the gateway to The Maze—the canyons themselves can still be another three to six hours away by high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle. Because Canyonlands' districts operate almost like separate parks, stopping at the appropriate visitor center or ranger station is particularly useful for checking current road, trail, weather, and backcountry conditions before exploring.