Canyonlands National Park is one of the most underrated National Parks in Utah, if not the United States. It is often overlooked in favor of the more well-known park nearby, Arches National Park. However, this beautiful park boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the Area.

The Green River and the Colorado River carved out this park over millions of years. You can actually hike to the confluence of these two rivers in the park!

If you want to avoid crowds, see beautiful views, and experience one of nature’s most impressive landscapes, Canyonlands National Park is for you.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know for planning your trip to Canyonlands, what to wear for desert hiking, safety tips, and the best trails in the Needles District and Island in the Sky District, the two main park areas.

If all of that sounds good to you, let’s get into it!

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Your Guide to Hiking in Canyonlands: Trails, Gear, & Tips

I first visited Canyonlands in 2020 with my family and have since been back multiple times! I’ve experienced Canyonlands in the hot summer sun and during the extreme cold of winter. While still worth visiting in the summer and winter, the shoulder season provides the best weather for visiting the park.

After spending so much time in the park, I’ve hiked nearly every trail available, and I cannot wait to share them with you.

As always, before heading out on any trail, check the trail, weather, and road conditions. The Park Service will have the most up-to-date trail and road conditions information.

My favorite trail in the park is Upheaval Dome, which is one of the moderate trails in the park.

Keep reading to find out more about the best day hikes in Canyonlands National Park!

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Quick Travel Guide to Canyonlands National Park

Just beginning to plan your trip to Canyonlands? Here are a few highlights for trip planning:

• ✈️ Getting There: I’ve used three airports to fly into when visiting Utah’s National Parks: Denver International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and Las Vegas Airport. Salt Lake City is the closest. Check out affordable flights here.
• 🎟️ Entrance Fee: $30/vehicle for 7 days or free with an America the Beautiful Pass ($80 annually).
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Moab is the closest town to the two main Canyonlands entrances. I loved staying at Expedition Lodge and Glamping Canyonlands, but you can check out hotels on Booking.com.
• 🧗‍♂️ What to do: Hiking and sightseeing are the most popular activities in Canyonlands, but you can also book various ATV tours, canyoneering tours, and even whitewater rafting routes outside of Moab. Check out other options here!
• 🚗 How to Get Around: You’ll need to rent a personal vehicle. Jeeps are an extremely popular rental in the area for ORV driving.
• 🗓️ Best Time to Visit: October – April
• ⏰  How Long to Visit: 2 Days, +1 for Arches National Park

Have questions about planning your trip? Drop them in the comments. I would be happy to help!

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What to Wear Hiking in Canyonlands

The trails in Canyonlands are most rated as easy or strenuous with very few trails with a moderate rating. However, you should take precautions even when hiking on easy trails and come prepared for anything.

In addition to packing plenty of water, about 2.5 L of water per day, you should also pack:

• A hiking backpack
• Hiking Boots – I have been wearing Oboz Bridgers for YEARS. You can also wear hiking sandals, Teva Hurricanes are my go-to. Look for anything with good traction.
• A sun hoodie – My favorite is the Backcountry Tahoe
• Convertible Hiking Pants
• Wool Socks – Good socks are a necessity for avoiding blisters
• Micropuff Jacket – You’d be surprised how chilly it gets when the sun is down, regardless of the time of year.
• Sun protection – sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses.
• Snacks
• First Aid Kit – Include blister care, an emergency blanket, aloe, standard cleaning supplies, and bandages.
• Trail Map or GPS Virtual Map that can be used offline
• GPS Device

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Tips for Hiking in Canyonlands

FIRST: Stay hydrated. Pack lots of water regardless of the time of year. In summer months, it is recommended that you bring 1 liter of water per hour on the trail.

SECOND: Be prepared for crowds. Shoulder season is one of the busiest times in the park due to mild temperatures. As the day progresses, you will see more and more people.

THIRD: Start early. For some of the more Moderate and Challenging hikes, consider starting before or around sunrise to take advantage of cool temperatures, excellent lighting, and minimal crowds.

FOURTH: Pay attention to trail markers. The desert environment is fragile, and one step off the trail can cause significant damage. When in doubt, stop and look for the nearest cairn.

FIFTH: Use lots of sun protection. Not only should you slather yourself in sunscreen, but you should also bring a hat, sunglasses, and lip balm with SPF. I like wearing sun hoodies to protect the back of my neck and ears.

SIXTH: Be considerate of others. The popular areas are popular for a reason and tend to get pretty crowded. Consider how much time you spend in prime photo spots and how much space your party takes up on the trail.

Have questions about hiking in Canyonlands National Park? Drop it in the comments!

Not sure what to do in Arches & Canyonlands? Check out this guide!

The Needles vs. Island in the Sky

Canyonlands is comprised of three distinct districts that people can visit: the Needles District, the Island in the Sky District, and the Maze District. Needles and Island in the Sky are significantly more accessible than the hikes in the Maze District.

When it comes to planning your trip to Canyonlands, for the most well-rounded trip, I recommend going to both areas. However, if you’re short on time and can only pick one area, where you go will largely depend on what you want to do.

Below you will find a breakdown of what each of the two areas offers and what you can expect to see there.

The Needles District

Needles, known for its Cedar Mesa Sandstone spires and fins, is the area you go to when you want a more remote experience. This area is more secluded due to its distance from Moab, UT. The Needles District Visitor Center is worth it, and the park rangers can provide you with the most up-to-date information on trail status.

Camping: Recreation.gov allows you to reserve campsites in The Needles in advance. This campground is rather primitive, but each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. Access to potable water is seasonal. Individual campsites are $20 a night.

Backpacking: Of all the distinct areas in the park, the Needle has the most and best backcountry trails. Backpacking trips in the park range from 8 miles to 40 miles in this area of the park. Reservations need to be made in advance.

Hiking: There are plenty of hiking trails in this area of the park. Many of them are considered moderate to hard in difficulty rating.

Scenery: Many of the views you will witness in the Needles District revolve around the colorful spires in this section of the park. If you’re looking to see slot canyons, you will see them in this area of the park.

Learn about Backpacking in Canyonlands Here!

Island in the Sky District

Campground: The Island in the Sky Campground is called Willow Flat, and it is one of my favorite campgrounds of all time. The 12 campsites are all first-come, first-served for $15 per site per night. There are pit toilets available, and no water access.

Backpacking: There are two main backpacking trails in Island in the Sky are the Syncline Loop and the Murphy Loop. Water is scarce in this park area, aside from the river water below the White Rim. However, the river water is hard to filter due to silt. Reservations need to be made in advance.

Hiking: The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands has more hikes that range in difficulty. Trails are typically easier in this area of the park with limited elevation gain. There are still challenging and longer trails in this area of the park, but there is more variety.

Scenery: The Island in the Sky District looks as it sounds. You’re situated on top of a plateau looking down into the carved canyon. You will get glimpses of the Green and Colorado Rivers as they weave through the impressive canyon. The paved scenic drive leading to the Green River Overlook is worth it for the panoramic views!

I would argue that I enjoy the canyon views in Canyonlands more than I do in Grand Canyon National Park.

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Best Hiking Trails in the Needles District

Let’s get into the best hikes in the Needles District, Canyonlands NP!

Chesler Park Loop

• Trail Length: 10.8 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet of elevation gain
• Difficulty Level: Strenuous
• Time to Hike: 6+ hours

Chesler Park Loop and Joint Trail is one of the most popular trails in this area of the park. It is considered a longer day hike and a short backpacking trip. Chesler Park leads you to incredible views of Needles, through slot canyons, and across large rock faces.

If you struggle with scrambling or confined spaces, you may want to opt for a different trail, as there are some sections that require you to scale rocks and others where you’re walking through very narrow rock passages.

Begin at the Elephant Hill trailhead, which is accessible via a four-wheel drive vehicle. If you’re careful, I do believe you can still get to the trailhead in a sedan.

Chesler Park Viewpoint

Slightly shorter than the Chesler Park Loop is the Chesler Park Viewpoint. It is still considered a strenuous trail because you will likely be on the trail for 4 hours, but it is significantly shorter than the entire loop.

Want to backpack in Canyonlands? Learn about it here!

Confluence Overlook

• Trail Length: 11 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 1,425 feet of elevation gain
• Difficulty Level: Strenuous
• Time to Hike: 5+ hours

The confluence overlook trail brings hikers to the canyon view of the junction between the Colorado and Green rivers. Looking down at the confluence, you get a good idea of just how impressive this massive canyon is. As a longer trail, the elevation gain is not too bad as it is dispersed amongst the eleven miles of the trail.

This trail has very little shade, and hikers are susceptible to high sun exposure.

Druid Arch

• Trail Length: 9.8 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 1,500 feet elevation gain
• Difficulty Level: Strenuous
• Time to Hike: 6+ hours

The Druid Arch is a popular trail for backpackers completing the Chesler Park Loop. The trail follows the Chesler Park Trail until it branches off to follow one of the major stream beds in the area. Getting to the arch requires technical hiking, as you walk the sandy path along the dried river bed, which will eventually lead you to a narrow canyon where you will traverse rocky cliff edges. Follow the sometimes hard-to-see cairns.

This is one of the few long trails in the park and is a popular side quest for backcountry hikers.

Cave Spring

• Trail Length: 0.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: >15 feet
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Time to Hike: > 1 hour

Cave Spring is one of my favorite trails on this side of the park. The short trail loops around a large rock where you can see a cowboy camp and prehistoric rock paintings. Because of the water in the area, it is one of the few places in the park where you can see moss grow.

There are two ladders on this trail. One ladder brings you up on top of the rock, and the other brings you back down the other side. If ladders are not your thing, you can take the trail clockwise and turn around after the cave paintings without having to do the ladders, which is just a short walk from the parking lot.

Pothole Point

• Trail Length: > 1 mile
• Elevation Gain: 35 feet of elevation gain
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Time to Hike: > 1 hour

Pothole Point is another unique area in the park because a microbiome is found inside the craters in the rocks. As the potholes fill with water, they host microorganisms until they dry up in the summer.

Due to the sensitivity of the microbiomes in the potholes, park staff ask visitors not to touch the water or step in them.

Slickrock Trail

• Trail Length: 2.7 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 190 feet of elevation gain
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Time to Hike: > 2 hours

Slickrock Foot Trail brings visitors to several lookouts along the short trail. As you hike along what will eventually become sandstone spires, you will get amazing views of the area.

There are supposed to be geography guides with information about the area at the trailhead that you can use to guide your hike. However, when I went, none were available.

Other Trails in the Needles District

There are plenty of trails to choose from when visiting the Needles District. Here is a short overview of some other trails you can visit on your trip in this region of the park:

• Stone Storehouse: 0.3 miles, Flat, Easy, to an indigenous structure.
• Peekaboo: 11 miles, 1,500 ft elevation gain, Strenuous, arches and petroglyphs.
• Big Spring Canyon Overlook: 0.3 miles, Flat, Easy, great for sunset.
• Slickrock Foot Trail: 2.4 miles, Flat, Easy – Moderate, Self Guided Hike Guide available.

Related Read: Desert Hiking Guide

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Best Hiking Trails in Island in the Sky

The Island in the Sky park area is known for grand viewpoints along the mesa top. Here are some of my favorite trails from trips to this park area!

If you have time, stop by Dead Horse Point State Park for even more amazing views of the surrounding area and learn about the history of cowboys on the mesa.

Murphy Trail Loop

• Trail Length: 10.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,600 ft elevation gain
• Difficulty Level: Strenuous
• Time to Hike: 6- 7 hours

Murphy Loop is one of the popular overnight routes in this park area. It is perfect for a single night on the trail! You will hike down into the canyon until you reach White Rim Road.

Here, you will see Murphy Hogback and several impressive campsites. The trek is pretty steep on your way out, but it is absolutely worth it. Close to Murphy Loop is Murphy Point, a short trek to a historic corral with views of the Green River.

Aztec Butte

• Trail Length: 1.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 250 ft elevation gain
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Time to Hike: ~2 hours

Aztec Butte should be on every visitors list. The trail takes you to a small peak before bringing you to an archeological site. Here you can see two Puebloan structures. The trail is short and sweet making it the perfect addition to a multi-day hike Canyonlands itinerary.

As always, do not remove items, climb on structures, or deface the rocks of the ancestral Puebloans.

Whale Rock

• Trail Length: 0.8 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 100 ft elevation gain
• Difficulty Level Moderate
• Time to Hike: 1 hour

Whale Rock is a fun, short hike! You’ll be climbing on top of a whale shaped rock to gain a better view of the surrounding area. The rock is rather smooth so shoes with good traction are a must. In winter months, you can expect the sandstone dome to be icy and might want to consider wearing additional traction devices on your shoes.

Upheaval Dome

• Trail Length: 1.2 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 115 ft elevation gain
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Time to Hike: 1.5 hours

Upheavel Dome is a must-do-hike in Canyonlands! While it is short and spicy, it is worth the effort to get to both overlooks to view this geologic anomoly. You will be looking down on an anticline where layers of rock were pushed up from Earth’s mantle. You can learn more about the geologic therories of how the dome formed here.

Syncline Loop

The Syncline Loop Trail is one of the most strenuous hikes in Canyonlands. It also happens to be the trail where the most trail rescues occur because people are unprepared for long days of high sun exposure and exertion. You should only attempt this trail if you have all ten essentials of hiking, plenty of water, and a GPS communication device.

Grand View Point

• Trail Length: 1.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: > 100 feet elevation gain
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Time to Hike: 1.5 hours

The Grand View Point trail offers some of the park’s most spectacular canyon overlook views. As you walk along the Canyon edge, you’ll be met with views of the other two districts in Canyonlands – The Maze and The Needles, Mesa Verde Mountains, and parts of the White Rim Road.

The best part? You don’t even have to go all the way to the end of the trail for amazing views. You can hike along the rim for as long as you would like before turning around.

Mesa Arch

• Trail Length: 0.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: > 50 feet elevation gain
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Time to Hike: 30 minutes

Mesa Arch is known for having one of the most iconic sunrise views in Canyonlands. This arch stretches across the landscape, providing framed views of the La Sal Mountains. If you visit for sunrise, be prepared to see plenty of people and wait in line to get the perfect shot.

Worth it though!

For more desert hiking tips, read this Desert Hiking Guide!

Other Trails in Island in the Sky

The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands is not lacking in number of hikes. There are plenty to choose from! Here are some more.

• White Rim Overlook Trail – 1.8 miles, Flat, Easy, Great for sunset.
• Neck Spring Trail – 5.6 miles, 300+ gain, Moderate, to an old cowboy camp.
• Alcove Spring Trail – 11.2 miles, 1,300 feet elevation change, Strenuous, to Zeus towers.

Find the Best Trails in Arches National Park Here!

Pack It Up

Canyonlands National Park has incredible day hikes, ranging from flat, short trails to long trails with steep climbs, making it a popular hiking destination. The variety of difficulty levels, types of views, and time commitments varies drastically within each section of the park.

The unique rock formations in the park mean you’ll find some spectacular views wherever you go.

Have questions about planning your trip to the Island of the Sky or Needles? Let me know in the comments, and I would be happy to help!

Happy Hiking!