Canyonlands National Park
All Things To Do
Key Info
Price & Hours
Details
Overview of Canyonlands National Park
If there is one thing to know about Canyonlands National Park, it's that its 337,598 acres are divided into four distinct districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and Horseshoe Canyon. The sections are separated by the Colorado and Green rivers, and it will take two or more hours to drive from one district to the other. There is no public transportation, and many visitors find that they only have time for one district.
Exploring the Park
The sky is the limit when it comes to how much time to spend in Canyonlands National Park. The park hosts a number of famous four-wheel roads, backpacking trails, and multiday river rafting on the Colorado and Green rivers. Previous visitors also appreciated that Canyonlands is less crowded than Arches National Park, though the entrance has been known to back up in peak season.
Districts in Canyonlands National Park
Island in the Sky
Island in the Sky is the closest to Moab and the busiest district. The visitor center is a 32.5-mile drive from town, and the road extends another 12 miles to Grand View Point. One top hike that past visitors recommended is Mesa Arch, a 0.6-mile trek that offers beautiful sunrise views. If you want to go off-road, take White Rim Road. Though there's plenty to see in the park, most visitors found that the drive through Island in the Sky was enough and liked how accessible the district is by car.
The Needles
Visitors looking for longer hiking options tend to gravitate to the Needles district south of Moab.
The Maze and Horseshoe Canyon
The Maze and Horseshoe Canyon are primarily accessed from Hanksville and Green River – both Utah towns – and often require a vehicle with four-wheel drive and high-clearance.
Park Hours
The districts are all open 24 hours a day. Each district has visitor centers with unique seasonal hours.
Entrance Fees
Single-day passes are $30 for private vehicles and $25 for motorcycles. Both passes are valid for seven consecutive days. Learn more at the park's website.
