Canyonlands National Park in southeast Utah is an expansive area with dramatic canyons, mesas, and towering rock formations created by the Colorado River and its tributaries. This park is divided into four areas – Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the Rivers- offering diverse landscapes and outdoor adventures. Island in the Sky is the easiest area to explore in a short period of time, due to it offering many pullouts with scenic views along the paved scenic drive and a variety of hiking options. It is also only about a 30-minute drive from Moab, so combining it with Arches National Park is convenient.
Are you interested in other National Parks in Utah? Check out these related posts.
TIPS:
- Check out the official Canyonlands National Park Website for important information regarding fees, hikes, maps, hours, and more.
- Purchase a National Parks Annual Pass
- Get to the park early! I cannot stress this one enough. Trails can get packed and parking can be difficult during the day.
Hikes in Canyonlands National Park: Island in the Sky
Mesa Arch
It is an easy 0.6-mile round-trip hike to Mesa Arch and is one of the most popular places to visit in the Canyonlands. I highly recommend getting here early for the sunrise. It is a spectacular view! However, at any time of the day, the arch frames the stunning view of the La Sal Mountains.
Grand View Point
Grand View Point overlook offers one of the best views in this area of the park, offering panoramic views of the spectacular canyons below. You can hike an out-and-back trail for a total of 1.8 miles, allowing you to follow the views, looking at the intricate canyons, mesas, and the Colorado River below.
Green River Overlook
This is a beautiful viewpoint of the unique canyon formations and the Green River. Step onto one of the cliff edges and enjoy! This overlook is southwest-facing, so it offers one of the best places at Island in the Sky to watch the sunset.
Aztec Butte
This is a 1.4-mile hike that starts with a sandy wash and continues with climbing up slick rock and ledges. You will be able to see the Aztec Butte on the eastern fork and the ancestral Puebloan structures on the western fork.
Upheaval Dome
There are two viewpoints along this moderate, but steep hike which is about 1.6 miles in total. You will see a unique crater, which looks different from the other canyon formations so it is a fun area to explore!
Whale Rock
This hike includes a large piece of rock that you walk on to get amazing views on all sides of you. It is 0.8 miles long and is a fun place to soak up the views and take a break on the rock.
These hikes in Canyonlands National Park all provide spectacular views of the intricate canyons formed by the Colorado River. The park has a stunning scenic drive with stop-worthy viewpoints and hikes of varying levels of difficulty. I hope you can explore the Island in the Sky area of the Canyonlands and see the spectacular views and uniqueness the park has to offer.
If you are eager for more, then check out the ultimate hiking trip with this Utah National Parks Road Trip or the best hikes in Arches National Park, the 5 best hikes in Zion National Park, and the best hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park.
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