At this point, Canyonlands ranks as one of my favorite national parks to visit in Utah. I love the variety of long-ranging canyon views, rock formations, arches, slot canyons, mountain views, and exploration opportunities. There are also hikes for every ability and difficulty – from roadside overlooks to multi-day adventures!
Canyonlands National Park is officially comprised of three districts – Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze. None of the three are connected by roads – you’ll have to drive out of each district and take US highways to make your way around to the next district. Each district is unique, so I’ll detail them below and then tell you my favorite hikes in each district.
Most people visit Island in the Sky District simply because it’s close to Moab, Arches National Park, and Deadhorse Point State Park. The district has a boatload of short hikes and overlooks, as well as a few very long trails – there are few hikes that are in between these two extremes. Island in the Sky District showcases gorgeous views from the top of the mesa down on the canyons of Canyonlands, including both the Colorado and Green Rivers. It’s also the home of the famous Mesa Arch and the beginning of the infamous White Rim Road.
The second most popular area of Canyonlands is the Needles District, located 2 hours south of Moab. While some hikes do have gorgeous views across the desert to the La Sal Mountains, the key attraction is the needle-like spires that poke up out of the landscape. There are a few very short paths and quite a few very long trails, as well as famous 4×4 routes (permit required) including the Elephant Hill Road. Chesler Park (a meadow surrounded by needles) and Druid Arch are two of the most popular hikes.
The least-visited part of Canyonlands is the Maze District. In fact, it’s a bit infamous, simply because it’s so difficult to access. To truly explore the Maze, you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle and the desire for long backpacking trips – and that’s on top of 40+ miles of dirt roads just to get to the visitor center! However, if you’re not quite that hard-core, there are several viewpoints and great 4×4 scenic drives. Views in the Maze are mostly either vistas from the rim down into the canyons and needle-like formations or else hiking in the canyons that make up the Maze. The most famous attractions are the Dollhouse (a tight collection of needles) and the Harvest Scene of rock art.
Without further ado, here are my favorite hikes in Canyonlands National Park!
Best Hikes in Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park
Easy-Moderate Trails in Island in the Sky District
Schafer Canyon Overlook
0.3 miles RT
Fantastic views of the Schafer Trail and Schafer Canyon out to the La Sal Mountains. Best in the afternoon.
Mesa Arch
0.75 mile loop
Nice views and a mesa-rim arch framing the La Sal Mountains and rock formations. Best at sunrise or late afternoon.
Green River Overlook
0.2 miles RT
A paved sidewalk leads to excellent views of the Green River and the Canyonlands. Best in the morning an hour or more after sunrise.
Aztec Butte Trail
1.7 mile lollipop loop
I’m including this on the list simply because it’s different than most other trails in Canyonlands. Two granaries and fantastic views can be found atop (and beside) a large, mesa-top butte. Best in the afternoon, though views in the morning would also be excellent.
Upheaval Dome
1.7 miles RT
Look into the pretty remains of a salt dome (meteor strike?). This is a very scenic trek. Best in the late afternoon.
Murphy Overlook
3.5 miles RT
Hike across the mesa to jaw-dropping views down on the Green River and nearby Canyonlands. Best in the morning at least an hour after sunrise.
White Rim Overlook
1.9 miles RT
Spectacular views await hikers who gaze down on Monument Basin and the Colorado River canyon, not to mention the La Sal Mountains. Best in the late afternoon.
Grand View Trail
2.0 miles RT
This is my personal favorite trail in Island in the Sky with fabulous views both east and west. The Needles, the Maze, the Colorado River, the Green River, and miles and miles of canyons and rock formations are visible from the path. Best in the late afternoon or morning at least an hour after sunrise.
More Strenuous Hikes in Island in the Sky District
Lathrop Point Overlook & Lathrop Canyon
4.3-11.8 miles RT
Cross a desert meadow and then descend to a view over – and then within – Lathrop Canyon, as well as to Airport Tower. Best in the afternoon.
Wilhite Trail
12.2 miles RT
Descend Wilhite Canyon with views out to the canyons around the Green River and Candlestick Tower. Best in the morning, though Candlestick Tower is better in the afternoon.
Gooseberry Trail
5.0 miles RT
Views galore and then canyon vistas to rock formations make this a great (if very steep) option. Best in the afternoon.
Best Hikes in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park
Easy-Moderate Hikes in the Needles District
Cave Spring
0.6 mile loop
Far-reaching vistas across the Needles District are the star of the show, though you’ll also pass a spring and a historic cowboy camp. Best in the afternoon, though morning has nice views, too.
Slickrock Trail
2.9 miles RT
Enjoy views to the Needles and also into various canyons along the trail. Best in either the morning or late afternoon.
Elephant Canyon
4.1 miles RT
This is by far my favorite of the shorter hikes in the Needles District (Cave Spring is the only other contender). Spectacular vistas, rock formations, and fun scrambles make this a hike to be remembered. Best in the early morning or late afternoon.
Big Pocket Overlooks
4.9 mile loop
Hike around a spur off the mesa to fantastic views into Upper Salt Creek, Big Pocket, and Lavender Canyon. Located many miles down a (usually) 2WD-friendly dirt road. Best in the early morning, though late afternoon would be good for Lavender Canyon and the La Sal Mountains.
More Strenuous Hikes in the Needles District
Wooden Shoe Canyon/Big Spring Canyon Loop
7.4 mile loop
Explore two canyons with some good views of the Needles and nearby canyons. Formally Squaw Canyon/Big Spring Canyon Loop (and the signs still remember the old naming system). Best in the early morning and late afternoon.
Peek-a-boo Trail via Lost Canyon
6-11.4 miles RT
For views and rock formations (plus two arches), it’s hard to beat the Peek-a-boo Trail (which is only slightly lower in my “best of” book than the Chesler Park Loop). Go in October, when the cottonwoods are gold, and you’ll never forget the views!
Chesler Park Loop (Elephant Canyon, Chesler Park, the Joint Trail, & West Chesler Park)
11.9 mile lollipop loop
To me, this loop is one of the best hikes in the entire state of Utah. I just can’t get enough of the spectacular views, the awe-inspiring rock formations, a desert meadow, and a fun little slot to boot.
Druid Arch
10.2-14 miles RT
A unique arch is the reward for this hike up a needle-crested canyon. Best in the spring, since in the fall, the sun is too far south for good photos.
Upper Salt Creek
8.8 miles RT
To avoid the crowds, this is a good option. The path isn’t the most scenic, but it does lead to a historic cabin and views of a giant arch.
Best Hikes in the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park
Horseshoe Canyon
7.2 miles RT
Hike up a canyon to a famous rock art panel. Don’t visit after a rain, as the road is impassible and the flash flood danger is real. In October, the nearby cottonwoods will be gold for an unforgettable experience.
Millard Canyon Overlook, Bagpipe Butte, & Flint Trail Overlook + The Neck Overlook (post coming soon!)
About 0.1 miles of hiking per overlook
The first three overlooks are along NP-633 looking down across the Maze. My personal favorite is Millard Canyon, though all are well worth the stop to see. The Neck Overlook is along the Big Ridge Road near the Neck Campsite – views into Happy Canyon on one side and Poison Spring Canyon on the other are amazing! Best in the afternoon.
Panorama Point Trail
1.2 miles RT
One of the most beautiful vistas of this section of Glen Canyon, views spread across the Maze to the La Sal Mountains. Best in the afternoon.
North Point Trail (near Cleopatra’s Chair)
3.2 miles RT
Views are very good into Millard Canyon. Best in the afternoon, though morning has some good views, as well.
Golden Stairs Trail
5.0 miles RT
Enjoy spectacular vistas across “Ernie’s Country” to the Needles, the Dollhouse, and the Mother and Child rock formation. Best in the afternoon in the fall/winter months.
Maze Overlook Trail to the Harvest Scene
8.0 miles RT
Views are excellent from the Maze Overlook; the route (is it really a trail?) then descends to the canyon where you can hike to a rock art site. Best in the morning in the fall/winter months.
Fins Trail (longer version here)
10.9 miles OW
Take a canyon-studded wash hike past springs and rock formations, with some pretty good views, too. Best in the afternoon.
Chocolate Drops Trail
8.8 miles RT
The star of the show are two chocolate-bar-shaped formations. But there are some good views, too. Morning and afternoon both have their benefits, though I’d say the afternoon is probably better.
Granary Trail
1.9 mile lollipop loop
Enjoy the Dollhouse as well as several granaries and views. Best in the afternoon, though the Dollhouse is better in the morning.
Spanish Bottom
3.4 miles RT
The most popular trail in the Maze takes you beside the famous Dollhouse and then down to the bank of the Colorado River (it should be noted that no bridge crosses to the other side here). Best in the morning.
Need to Know
Island in the Sky District and the Needles District charge a $30/vehicle, valid 7 days. The entry fee is honored at both districts. America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Lands Passes and Southeast Utah National Parks Passes are accepted. The Maze District does not charge an entry fee.
The best seasons to visit Canyonlands National Park is October-April, although September and May are also good months if you don’t mind a little bit of heat. December-February can have snow, but they’re also the quietest months to visit.
Camping is extremely limited in Canyonlands; there is no lodging or food available for purchase. Reservations are accepted on Recreation.gov.
Bring plenty of water with you – and drink it! The Maze District has no potable water available, even at the visitor center.
Island in the Sky and some trailheads in the Needles can be very busy, especially April-September. Arrive early or late and be patient – come back later if a parking area is full. (Evening is one of my favorite times of day in Island in the Sky, and it’s pretty quiet even in the busy season.)
Cell service is extremely limited in all three districts, but especially in the Maze (where GPS units often don’t work, either).
Do not try exploring the Maze District without 4×4 (as if I should talk… I did it with a 2WD, high-clearance van, which definitely limited where I could go and what I could do). The Maze requires special preparedness, including extra water, extra gas, extra food, and extra tire(s) (when I visited, the rangers were dealing with two of their own vehicles that had flat tires with rangers stranded in the Maze). Be prepared to spend several extra days without help if you break down.
Do you have a favorite hike in Canyonlands that I’ve missed here? Let me know in the comments!
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