Canyonlands National Park
Things To Do
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Backpacking
The park is divided into three regions: The Needles, Island in the Sky, and The Maze. Each region offers secluded backpacking, incredible views, and exciting hikes. Before your trip, be sure to learn more about permits and pack necessities.
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Camping
Amidst the park’s canyons you’ll find countless places to set up camp. The park houses two established campgrounds, Needles Campground and Willow Flat Campground, as well as numerous backcountry campsites (permits required).
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Hiking
Hiking at Canyonlands National Park is a dream come true for day hikers and thru-hikers alike. Head to The Needles district for access to over 70 miles of hiking, or bring the family to the awe inspiring Mesa Arch.
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Rafting
Spend a day or two floating the same rivers that ultimately formed Canyonlands. Venture down the adventurous Cataract Canyon with its Class V rapids, or relax as you float calm waters under impressive cliff sides.
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Tours
With over 500 square miles of park to explore, knowing what to prioritize can be daunting. Book a trip with a local guide to visit must-see destinations and learn about the park’s interesting past.
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Winter Activities
As the largest national park in Utah, Canyonlands provides a variety of winter adventures. Fewer people visit the park in the winter, allowing each visitor to experience more solitude. Take advantage of hiking the quiet trails, photographing landscapes in the soft winter light and stargazing on the longest nights of the year.
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Nearby Towns
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Bluff
Rich in human and natural history, Bluff is a central point along the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway. It is a gateway to Monument Valley, Bears Ears National Monument, Valley of the Gods and Hovenweep National Monument.
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Green River
The city of Green River was once a stomping ground for Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch, and is a haven for river runners who raft places such as Desolation and Gray Canyons.
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Moab
Moab is surrounded by a sea of buckled, twisted and worn sandstone sculpted by millennia of sun, wind and rain
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Monticello
The southeastern Utah town of Monticello lies on the sheltered eastern slope of the Abajo Mountains, overlooking a maze of sandstone canyons and plateaus.
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The Complete Canyonlands Trip
The Canyonlands Region of Utah combines the best of the Moab area's easy proximity to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park's most accessible district with some of the United State's most remote and culturally significant landscapes.
Highlights
- Canyonlands National Park
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Bears Ears National Monument
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
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Salt Lake City to Moab
Moab is Utah’s adventure epicenter — a place where world-renowned natural destinations are scattered around a town that’s brimming with local charm. Be sure to bring a vivid imagination and taste for exploration along with your hiking shoes, sunscreen and water bottle, because this is not your typical retreat.
Highlights
- Arches National Park
- Guided 4x4 Wheeling
- Canyonlands Stargazing
- Floating the Colorado River
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The Mighty 5: Ultimate Journey
Grab a national parks annual pass for best access to The Mighty 5®.
Highlights
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Zion National Park
Travel Tips
Close to Moab, the Island in the Sky is the most visited district, but outside of overlooks and Mesa Arch (especially at sunrise), the scenic, though strenuous, trails are seldom crowded.
A permit is required to bike or drive the popular White Rim Trail and for all overnight camping trips in the backcountry.
Needles Campground in the Needles district is a great base camp for day hikes into the backcountry, but go prepared: carry extra water and be alert for black bears.
The remote Maze district easily occupies three days, plus hours to drive there. Solitude and endless splendor are the rewards for extremely well-prepared self-sufficient wayfinders.
Read these resources to learn how to travel thoughtfully and experience Canyonlands National Park most fully.
- View a downloadable map of Canyonlands National Park
More travel tips for visiting Canyonlands National Park.
What's Nearby?
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