Canyonlands National Park
Where Rivers Carve a World of Stone
Stand above an immense wilderness of colorful canyons, towering mesas, winding rivers, and distant desert horizons. Sculpted by the Colorado and Green rivers, Canyonlands invites you to look farther—and discover just how wild Utah can be.
Follow the Land. Find the Story.
Canyonlands at a
Glance
Location:
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Southeastern Utah, near Moab
Known for:
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Vast canyons, mesas, buttes and river-carved landscapes
Park districts:
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Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze and the Rivers
Dark Sky Park:
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Yes ☾✦
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Open:
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Year-round
Canyonlands is Utah’s largest national park, protecting more than 337,000 acres. Its districts are separated by rugged terrain and are not connected by roads within the park.
Three Ways to Explore Canyonlands
Mesa Arch
Take a short walk to a graceful stone arch perched above the canyon, framing distant cliffs and the La Sal Mountains.
Distance: Approximately 0.6 mile round trip
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Difficulty: Easy
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Best for: Sunrise and photography
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Important: Stay back from the exposed cliff edge
Grand View Point
Follow the canyon rim for sweeping views across the layered landscape of Island in the Sky.
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Distance: Approximately 1.8 miles round trip
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Difficulty: Easy
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Best for: Panoramic views and a relaxed hike
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Important: Exposed edges and very little shade
Green River Overlook
Gaze across the Green River as it winds through deep canyons toward distant mesas and buttes.
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Experience: Scenic overlook
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Best for: Sunset, photography and grand views
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Walking: A short stroll from the parking area
Where rivers carve a world without limits.
From Daylight to Starlight
When darkness settles across Canyonlands, the mesas become silhouettes beneath an exceptionally clear night sky. Far from city lights, the Milky Way can stretch brilliantly above the desert.
When the canyons disappear into shadow, the universe reveals its depth.
Canyonlands became an International Dark Sky Park in 2015.
☾✦
Explore Responsibly
Stay on established trails and bare rock, protect fragile biological soil crust, and never disturb archeological sites or existing trail markers.
Tread gently.
Let the wild remain wild.
Before You Go
Canyonlands is enormous and remote, with limited water, fuel, food and cellular service.
Roads, weather and district access can change, so check current conditions before exploring.
Where rivers carve a world without limits.
