
Canyonlands is the least visited national park in Utah and is overshadowed by its neighbor, Arches. Similar to the Grand Canyon, its defining feature is to stand on the edge of a sheer cliff and look into forever. It’s not as deep as the Grand Canyon, but it’s much wider. John Wesley Powell first explored this area on a river raft, overshadowed by his more famous trip through the Grand Canyon. Poor Canyonlands, always playing second fiddle.
Overview

Canyonlands has four sections:
- Island in the Sky. It’s close to Moab and Arches and is the most visited section with the most iconic Grand Canyon-like views.
- The Needles. The bottom of the canyons, with wonderful hikes and interesting variety.
- Horseshoe Canyon & The Maze. Backcountry destinations requiring off-roading and hiking.
Places

Island in the Sky
- Mesa Arch. One of the best sunrise locations!
- Viewpoints. Take in panoramic vistas from one of these great spots.
- Aztec Butte. Fun, scrambling hike with great views.
- White Rim Overlook Trail. Flat, easy hike to the best viewpoint in the park.
- Upheaval Dome. Mysterious formation known as “Utah’s Belly Button.”
- Shafer Road. Winding drive through the canyon.
- Dead Horse Point. Nearby state park with views of the Colorado River.

The Needles
- Slickrock Trail. Easy but rewarding hike almost entirely on slick rock.
- Cave Spring. Short but fun hike with a variety of history and views.
- Newspaper Rock. An accessible panel of rock art.
- Chesler Park. A 10-mile jaunt through the Needle formations.
- Pothole Point. Short and flat hike over rock indentations, with views of the Needles.

Planning a Trip to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks? Copy Our 5-Day Itinerary
Get our done‑for‑you, 3-5‑day route with exact drives, maps, and must‑see stops so you don’t waste time in traffic or miss the best views.
Inside the guide:
*Day‑by‑day plan for Arches, Canyonlands, and Moab that includes the besk hikes, activities, and food
*Exact times, routes, and photo stops
*Includes audio stories to listen to as you drive
*Best Friend Guarantee: love it or get your money back
*Visiting Utah’s 5 National Parks– Save big $ and get a plan for Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Arches & Canyonlands. Learn more here
Plan Your Trip
Start Here
- Perfect Itinerary for Arches, Canyonlands, and Moab (2-5 Days)
- An Easy Guide to Visiting Canyonlands National Park
Where to Stay and Eat
- 9 Great Places to Stay When Visiting Arches, Canyonlands, and Moab
- Best Places to Eat in Moab, Arches, & Canyonlands
Best Sites

Nearby
- 19 Amazing Things To Do in Moab with Tips
- How to Visit Utah’s National Parks: Epic 5-7 Day Itinerary
- 9 Amazing Things to Do Nearby Arches National Park
- How to Visit Gemini Bridges in Moab, Utah (The Easy Way or the Fun Way)
- 14 Very Best Things To Do in Green River, UT
More on Canyonlands
Hiking in the Desert: 11 Things to Know Before You Go
Prefer to Watch?
Watch More
- Watch Before Visiting Arches & Canyonlands! Trip Planner (45 min)
- 10 Best Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park! (14 min)
- 13 Mistakes to Avoid in Moab, Utah [Arches & Canyonlands] (10 min)
- 7 FREE but AWESOME Things to Do in Moab, Utah (10 min)
- What You Can Do in Moab, Utah in a Week! (12 min)
- Epic 8-day Road Trip to Utah’s National Parks [Zion to Arches] (60 min)
- The Best Hike in Canyonlands! | The Needles (10 min)

Planning a Trip to Utah’s National Parks? Copy Our 7‑Day Road Trip
Get our done‑for‑you, 5-7‑day route with exact drives, maps, and must‑see stops so you don’t waste time in traffic or miss the best views.
Inside the guide:
*Day‑by‑day plan for Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches & Canyonlands
*Details you need: Time frames, routes, activity ratings and descriptions, plus where to stay and eat
*Includes audio stories to listen to as you drive
*Best Friend Guarantee: love it or get your money back