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Canyonlands National Park

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Canyonlands National Park, established in 1964, is located in southeastern Utah.  It includes deep canyons, sheer sided mesas, towering spires, unusual rock formations and the Colorado and Green Rivers.  The rivers divide the park into three districts: Island in the Sky, the Needles and the Maze.

The Island in the Sky District is a mesa over 2,000 feet above the Colorado and Green Rivers. It is the easiest district to visit and explore by car.  From its paved roads you can glimpse views of the rivers and an overview of the narrow interlocked canyons.

The Needles District is named for the spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area. The spires are colored red, orange, pink and white amid open areas and steep walls. 

The Maze is more remote with no paved roads.  The Maze requires the ability to drive backcountry roads, more time, and a greater degree of self-sufficiency; rarely do visitors spend less than three days in the Maze, and the area can easily absorb a week-long trip.   Horseshoe Canyon, part of the Maze District, features well preserved ancient rock art, particularly The Great Gallery. Horseshoe Canyon was added to the park in 1971.   

How to Get There:

Island in the Sky District - From Moab, take US 191 north 9 miles then Utah 313 for 26 miles

Needles District - From Moab, take US 191 south 41 miles to Utah 21 west for 34 miles

Maze District - From Green River take I 70 west to Utah 24 south. A left hand turn just beyond the turnoff to Goblin Valley State Park will take you along a two-wheel-drive dirt road 46 miles southeast to the Hans Flat ranger station.

Airports - The nearest airports are:

  Salt Lake City - 234 miles away from Moab and 183 miles from Green River

  Grand Junction (Colorado) - 113 miles from Moab and is 102 miles from Green River

Moab is 145 miles from Capitol Reef National Park, 5 miles from Arches NP, 275 miles from Bryce Canyon NP and 349 miles from Zion National Park.

When to Go:

The park is open all year. Visitor centers are open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours spring through fall.  It is very hot in summer, the best time to visit is spring and fall when it has cooled off.   The unpaved roads are often flooded in spring and after rains but are otherwise passable.

Permits:

Permits are good for a maximum of fourteen days and are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. This includes backpacking, four-wheel drive or mountain bike camping, and river trips. Permits are also required for day use by vehicles, bikes and horses in Horse/Salt Creek and Lavender canyons in the Needles District. Permits are not required for day hiking.

Permits are issued at district visitor centers and can be reserved in advance. Otherwise permits are available to walk-ins first-come, first-served. Walk-in permits are only available the day before or the day of a trip. Permits are issued up to one hour before the close of business each day. River permits are issued (usually in advance) from the Reservation Office in Moab.