At a glance
Canyonlands is a wilderness of canyons, buttes, and spires carved by the Colorado River and Green River. The park is divided into four distinct districts; no roads join them together. The districts share similar desert ecosystems, but each one provides unique opportunities for adventure and discovery.
Things to do: Astronomy · Stargazing · Biking · Boating · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Group Camping · Climbing · Rock Climbing · Guided Tours · Boat Tour · Hiking · Horse Trekking
ParkAtlas, maintained by Stellaroos, combines its park and trail dataset with public information from the National Park Service. NPS data snapshot retrieved . Fees, access, and conditions can change; verify current details with NPS before traveling.
Popular trails
Curated routes with approximate round-trip distance. Tap one to log it in the app.In the app, tap one to log it.
Camping
Approximately 30 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reservations are strongly recommended in peak season (March – May, Sept – Nov).
Best time to visit
Peak season: March – May, Sept – Nov. The park is open year-round, though some roads and facilities close or run reduced hours in winter.
Canyonlands is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F.
Summer temperatures often exceed 100 F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F.
Pack for Canyonlands
Four things worth having for desert heat and long exposed miles. From the full gear list; links support ParkAtlas.
Outdoor Research Echo sun hoodie
Sun protection without the sunscreen-on-your-arms routine. Dries in minutes.
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LMNT electrolytes
Water alone isn't enough on a hot day. One packet per bottle.
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Sun Bum sunscreen
High elevation sun is not the sun you're used to. Reapply at lunch.
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YETI Rambler bottle
Ice at the trailhead is still ice back at the car.
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Entrance fees
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.$30
- Entrance - Motorcycle — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.$25
- Entrance - Per Person — Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.$15
Annual Entrance - Park: $55. An America the Beautiful pass ($80/yr) covers every national park.
Getting there
Nearest city: Moab, UT. Park center: 38.200°, -109.930°.
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.
Coming from a big city? See every park near Salt Lake City or Albuquerque.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit Canyonlands National Park?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $30. Entrance - Motorcycle: $25. Entrance - Per Person: $15.
When is the best time to visit Canyonlands?
Peak season is March – May, Sept – Nov. The park is open year-round, with some roads and facilities on reduced winter schedules. Canyonlands is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F.
Can you camp in Canyonlands National Park?
Yes — about 30 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reserve ahead in peak season.
What is the closest city to Canyonlands National Park?
Moab, UT is the nearest major city. 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.
What are the best hikes in Canyonlands?
Popular trails include Mesa Arch Trail (6.0 mi), Grand View Point Trail (3.1 mi), Chesler Park Loop (10.4 mi), Upheaval Dome Trail (4.6 mi). The park has roughly 20 named trails.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.