Canyonlands National Park


Canyonlands invites you to explore a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. These areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, but each offers different opportunities for sightseeing and adventure.

Canyonlands National Park is cut into three land districts by the Green and Colorado rivers. Island in the Sky, in the north of the park, is about 40 minutes from Moab, UT via UT 313. The Needles district is in the southeast corner of Canyonlands, about 90 minutes from Moab or an hour from Monticello, UT via UT 211. The Maze district, in the west of the park, is the most remote and challenging; its ranger station is down 46 miles of dirt road from UT 24. All roads in The Maze require high-clearance 4WD.

  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Group Camping
  • Climbing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Guided Tours
  • Boat Tour
  • Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Paddling
  • Canoe or Kayak Camping
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Park Film
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

  • Archeology
  • Explorers and Expeditions
  • Farming and Agriculture
  • Ranches
  • Native American Heritage
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • Canyons and Canyonlands
  • Fossils and Paleontology
  • Geology
  • Groundwater
  • Impact Craters
  • Natural Sounds
  • Night Sky
  • River and Riparian
  • Rock Landscapes and Features
  • Trails

Mesa Arch

a broad stone arch with rock pinnacles in the distance

Mesa Arch, at Island in the Sky, is a great spot for photographers.

Pothole Point

shallow pools with a double rainbow in the background

Pothole Point Trail

The Maze

a rugged canyon

The Maze is the most remote district of the park. Visiting requires four-wheel drive, self-reliance, and extra time.

White Rim Road

a long gravel road with cyclists on it

The White Rim Road at Island in the Sky is a popular road for mountain bikers.

The Needles in Chesler Park

pinnacles of horizontally striped sandstone

The Needles, pinnacles of Cedar Mesa Sandstone, are visible in many parts of the Needles District, including this view in Chesler Park.

Boating on the Colorado River

a person rowing a dory on the Colorado River

Boating the Colorado and Green rivers is a popular activity at Canyonlands (permit required).