Nature has a way of making me feel small and insignificant yet powerful and important all at the same time. These feelings consume me as I sit on a mesa overlooking the extraordinary vast landscape of Canyonlands. This park has the wow factor times ten!
Have you been yet? If not, use our two day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park to help plan your trip.
Where is Canyonlands National Park?
In southeastern Utah, Canyonlands National Park is the largest park in the state at 527 square miles. It is broken up into four separate districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze and The River. We visited Island in the Sky and Needles, two of the most easily accessed areas by car.
The Maze is the most remote area and is the least accessible. It is considered some of the most rugged lands in the states and is an off-roading paradise.
We would love to come back and rent a rock crawler, but for now, we hiked through the wild terrain of the other districts on our own two feet which is perfect if you only have a day or two. The entrances are about 100 miles apart so stretching your visit to two days is the best option. If you only have one day and are open to covering some major mileage, it can be done if you start real early.
RELATED: 2-DAY ITINERARY AT ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Canyonlands National Park Utah Map
Canyonlands National Park 2 Day Itinerary
Our Canyonlands itinerary highlights include:
- Island of the Sky Scenic Drive
- Mesa Arch
- Grand View Point
- Newspaper Rock Monument
- Cave Spring
Day One – Island in the Sky
The 34-mile roundtrip scenic drive through Island in the Sky is atop the flat mesa overlooking the dramatic canyon. Start early and begin your day at the Island in the Sky Visitors Center, where you get the first glimpse of the 1,000-foot deep canyon.
As you drive around this section of the park there are many pullouts that provide different perspectives on the landscape below. Stretch your legs and take the short hike to the Mesa Arch where you’ll find a gorgeous view of the rocky terrain below. Definitely a must-do in Canyonlands.
At the southernmost section is Grand View Point, follow the paved path to spectacular views of the White Rim and the distant mountains. If you planned for two days and have time, take the 1-mile walk along the cliff edge. It’s short and easy and provides a different perspective into the Maze.
The highlights of the morning also include Shafer Canyon Overlook, White Rim Overlook, and both overlooks at Upheaval Dome.
HOT TIP: The White Rim Overlook is a fantastic spot for a lunch break with picnic tables and restrooms.
Day Two – The Needles
The Needles District, on the southeast corner of the park, earned its name from the spears of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that stand at attention throughout the district. The drive is on a short paved road leading to 60 miles of interconnecting trails.
It is the most remote area of the park and features extensive hiking trails, incredible geology and vistas galore.
On the way in near the entrance, you’ll notice a turn off for Newspaper Rock, a Utah State Historic Monument. It is one of the largest collections of petroglyphs from over 2,000 years ago.
The highlight of your day includes Roadside Ruin, Cave Spring, Pothole Point, Slickrock and Big Spring Canyon Overlook.
Perfect Base for Exploring Canyonlands: Moab
Sun Outdoors, in Moab, is a great budget-friendly option for a home base while visiting the popular parks in Utah. It is 5.5 miles south of the entrance to Arches National Park, 30 miles northeast of Dead Horse Point State Park, 32 miles northeast of Island in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park, and 76 miles east of the entrance to Needles District, Canyonlands National Park.
The town has many lodging options including hotels, motels, resorts, B&B’s, and campgrounds.
See recent prices and additional info here.
*Disclaimer: Links posted on this site are affiliate links. I will receive a commission at no additional charge to you if you book through our link.
9 TIPS TO REMEMBER WHEN VISITING A NATIONAL PARK
Know Before You Go
- $30 per car, $25 per motorcycle, $15 per person on foot/bike.
- Island in the Sky Visitor Center open 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (March – December).
- Needles Center open 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (March – November).
- Maze District – Hans Flat Ranger Station open 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (year round).
- Leashed pets only in parking areas and campground, not on trails or backcountry areas.
- Stay on trails to protect fragile soil.
- Parking is permitted only in designated areas and is strictly enforced.
- Water is not available in most areas except the Visitor Centers from Spring – Fall.
- Most excursions for horseback riding, kayaking, biking, rafting, or off-roading depart from Moab.
And so our epic 80 day summer road trip continues – 13 U.S. states, 2 Canadian provinces and 13 national parks.
Miles Driven: 257, Total Road Trip Miles Driven: 9,007, Average Gas Price per Gallon: $2.29
See our full summer road itinerary or start at the beginning here.
Up Next on the Road Trip: Driving Off a Cliff
Have you been to Utah? What’s your favorite thing to do?
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Chris Travels
Your pictures are AMAZING! What more can be said? I am in Utah now and it definately has beautiful, “otherworldly” landscapes, for sure!
Dang Travelers
Thanks Chris! Have fun in Utah!!
Betsy
You should check out the Amana Colony in Iowa and be sure to take the walking tour. So interesting.
Dang Travelers
I’ll look into it Betsy. Thanks. I’m not sure if we are driving through, but I’ll look.
Lisa
I love love Utah. We are going back in the spring again. Your pictures capture the beauty so well. It is a hikers paradise! North Utah is amazing too.
Dang Travelers
We fell in love with Utah as well Lisa! Cannot wait to go back and visit Zion and Bryce too. Too many places, so little time! Thanks for reading!!
Paul
Wow the landscape looks so amazing and your pictures really make us want to explore there right now! At least you still have more plans to return to explore the harder to reach places.
Dang Travelers
Can’t wait to get back to Utah to see what other big adventures we can get into!
Llamateurs
Wow, I know everybody says that, but photos are completely out from this planet 😀 Wow x 1000 ! 🙂 I would really like to visit this place now! But it is quite far by now…but maybe in the future!
Nomadic Hippie 2.0
Wow, those places look amazing!! Great photos, great post 😉
Juliette @ Snorkels To Snow
Wow what magnificent photos! You’re right, I would feel very insignificant too there! My brother & father did a big US trip some years ago and into Canyonlands National Park and I remember viewing the photos from their trip, in awe.
Mary - A Mary Road
Can’t wait to get here next year, it looks really amazing!!!
Nancy
Wow, at first look at your photo’s I thought this was going to be about Monument Valley but what a surprise to find this is in Utah! The petroglyphs are very cool too.
Vivian Lee
In my opinion, Canyonland is one of the most beautiful national parks in the States, plus it is not at all touristy. When I was there last summer with my friends, we were the only group wandering around, literally! However it can get quite hot in the summer. Only managed to visit he needles, I’ll be back again! Thank you for your great post!
Diana - MVMT Blog
Great photos – those views are so breathtaking. Would love to make it to Moab sometime.
Alina Popescu
The photos in this post are simply incredible! I love these views and would like to spend some time here, even if it doesn’t look like the easiest trip ever. The scenery is just too gorgeous.
Aireona- Nightborn Travel
I LOVE these pictures! Really amazing. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring us all.