Best trails in Canyonlands National Park
The park is divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. This landscape was eroded into canyons, buttes, and mesas by the Colorado River, Green River, and their tributaries. There are rock pinnacles and other naturally sculpted rock, as well as artifacts from Ancient Pueblo Peoples.
Top trails
- (11408)·Easy·0.6 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrThis route is an easy walk in Canyonlands National Park that takes you to Mesa Arch, a beautiful stone arch perched right on a cliff's edge. It's less than a mile long and leads to a stunning natural frame for an incredible view of the canyons and the La Sal Mountains way out in the distance. Photographers and sunrise-chasers love this spot, so an early start is often recommended by other visitors if you want to beat the crowds. The path is a loop and pretty easy, though it can be a little...
- (7826)·Easy·1.9 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrBreathtaking sunset hike on the rim of Islands in the Sky. In winter, there may be snow or icy conditions, so traction devices are recommended for hikers. The National Park Service maintains this trail. Accessibility: Equipment According to the park website, the trail to the Grand View Point Overlook is accessible for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility equipment, or strollers. All-terrain tires or adaptive equipment may be needed for the grade. Parking There are 2 designated...
- (4639)·Moderate·1.3 miThe Upheaval Dome Overlook Trail offers views of a spectacular geological formation, a mile-wide crater of mysterious origins, possibly caused by a meteorite that created a big splash of minerals when it hit or a salt dome that originated from within the earth. The rocks along the trail tilt away from the dome as a result of the impact. Upheaval Dome doesn't fit with the rest of the Canyonlands terrain. It's obviously not the result of gradual erosion like the rest of the park, but rather a...
- (4012)·Moderate·1.3 miThe trail follows a sandy wash, then splits. The eastern fork to your right ascends Aztec Butte for spectacular views. The western fork on the left climbs the smaller butte then drops below the rim to two ancestral Puebloan structures. Both trails require scrambling up to slickrock and ledges. Entering, touching, or climbing on archeological sites is strictly prohibited. View structures from a distance to protect fragile walls. Elevation change: 225 feet (68 m)
- (3439)·Easy·1.8 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hr• Canyonlands National Park charges a fee to enter. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. For more information, please see https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/fees.htm Walk to an east-facing overlook for views of the Colorado River, Monument Basin, and La Sal Mountains. Best in late afternoon. Very limited trailhead parking.
- (2324)·Hard·10.6 miBeginning from Elephant Hill trailhead this loop hike follows indistinct trails over slickrock sandstone formations and through slot canyons as you experience so much of what makes Canyonlands such a unique and powerful place. Just under 2 miles from the trailhead you’ll reach a trail junction with the Druid Arch trail heading south (left) – stay straight here to continue on Chesler Park trail. As the loop section begins make sure you stop and take in the otherworldly views of the needles...
- (1843)·Moderate·5.5 mi• Canyonlands National Park charges a fee to enter. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. Chesler Park Viewpoint can be made much longer by making it into a full loop. There are many other interconnecting trails and you can very easily do just a portion of this trail and turn back sooner. This trail does not take you by Druid Arch.
- (1662)·Hard·9.8 miTravel through Elephant Canyon to see Druid Arch, an iconic formation of Cedar Mesa Sandstone. The trail moves through sandy washes and over sections of slickrock, where you might see pinyon pines, junipers, and prickly pear cacti. Lizards are common, but most desert wildlife is nocturnal. Following the rock cairns is key to staying on track. The final push to the arch is a steep scramble up a boulder field and includes a single ladder. This exposed route has no water, so you must carry your...
- (1700)·Moderate·0.7 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hr• Canyonlands National Park charges a fee to enter. You can also purchase a park-specific annual pass. For more information, please see https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/fees.htm Upheaval Dome is the most puzzling geological feature in Canyonlands National Park. A 1.7-mile hike visits two overlooks along the rim of this three-mile wide 1,000-foot deep crater. Geologists have two possible theories for what caused Upheaval Dome, which you can learn about along the trail. From the...
- (1560)·Easy·3.4 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrThis route leads past a historic corral on the mesa top. This route leads to an overlook at the edge of a mesa, where you can see the Green River below and distant landmarks like Candlestick Tower and Junction Butte. This trail is particularly recommended for enjoying the sunrise or sunset, and it's generally less crowded than other viewpoints in the park, such as Mesa Arch
Visitor info
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.
Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments. U.S. residents only.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required for US citizens and residents on these days:
February 16 — Presidents' Day
May 25 — Memorial Day
June 14 — Flag Day
July 3–5 — Independence Day weekend
August 25 — National Park Service's birthday
September 17 — Constitution Day
October 27 — Theodore Roosevelt's birthday
November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Island in the Sky and the Needles Visitor Centers are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, and wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are available.
ASL interpreters are available by reservation for ranger-led programs. Please complete a form on their website at least 7 days in advance to make a reservation for interpretation services.
Additional information about accessibility at Canyonlands National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Island in the Sky and the Needles Visitor Centers are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, and wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are available.
The Hans Flat Ranger Station Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers on a gravel surface and has wheelchair accessible pit toilets. Orientation films include closed captioning upon request.
The Visitor Center Picnic Area and the Needles Picnic Area are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces.
Island in the Sky Campground has 1 individual wheelchair accessible camping site and a wheelchair accessible pit toilet.
The Needles Campground has 2 individual wheelchair accessible camping sites, and all restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Guides
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Frequently asked questions
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Activities
- Backpacking trails in Canyonlands National Park
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- Mountain biking trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Off-road driving trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Running trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Scenic driving trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Walking trails in Canyonlands National Park
Attractions
- Cave trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Hard trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Easy trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Trails with historic sites in Canyonlands National Park
- Long trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Moderate trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Trails with no dogs in Canyonlands National Park
- River trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Short trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Trails with views in Canyonlands National Park
- Wildflower trails in Canyonlands National Park
- Wildlife trails in Canyonlands National Park
Points of interest
- The Joint (North End)
- Mesa Arch
- Upheaval Dome first overlook
- Grand View Point
- Cave Spring
- White Rim Overlook
- Murphy Point
- The Joint (South End)
- Druid Arch Viewpoint
- Shafer Trail Viewpoint
- Confluence Overlook
- Aztec Butte
- Great Gallery
- Buck Canyon Overlook
- Big Spring Canyon Overlook
- Stone Storehouse
- Trail Arch
- Kirk Spring
- Neck Spring
- Cave Spring
