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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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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