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.
More Canyonlands Inspiration
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3 Utah Bikepacking Routes for Beginners to Intermediates
Find a route for your next Utah bikepacking trip that promises immersion in history, culture and ridiculous scenic beauty.
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6 Steps to a Family MTB Trip on Canyonlands' White Rim
Want to take the family mountain biking on the White Rim Trail? Tackle 100 miles of biking and three days of backcountry camping in Canyonlands with the kids.
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A Family Bike Tour of Salt Lake’s East Canyon
East Canyon has always been a path for travelers, from the Donner Party to Brigham Young to the Pony Express. In this modern-day tale of travel, a family of three takes on East Canyon by bicycle for a weekend camping trip. They discover historical markers, swimming spots, and lots of ice cream.
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A Guided Ride on the Rolling Slickrock of Gooseberry Mesa
Utah resident and tour guide Katharina Merchant shares her "backyard" mountain biking
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A High Elevation Southern Utah Mountain Bike Adventure
Mountain biking in Southern Utah usually inspires visions of red rock destinations such as Moab and St. George. But as the heat of summer kicks in and the triple digit temps become more frequent, heading south to ride may seem out of reach. Fear not my friend, as there are some riding destinations within Southern Utah, where the elevation will keep you cool.
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A Local’s Guide to Logan: Northern Utah’s Outdoor Adventure College Town
Logan is teeming with some of the best arts, food and outdoor adventure opportunities in the state. Whether you’re passing through or just looking for new places to explore, here are some of the best ways to experience Logan.
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A Quick and Dirty Guide to Brian Head Area Mountain Biking
Whether you’re visiting the area for Brian Head’s seemingly endless bike options or making it part of a multi-stop Southern Utah adventure (Cedar Breaks National Monument is just five miles away), it’s a must-see for bikers of all abilities. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
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Bikepacking Across the Aquarius Plateau
A 5-night bikepacking trail has opened up a beautiful swath of the Southern Utah landscape. Following trails from Brian Head to Boulder, riders can experience long days in the saddle, and then recuperate in backcountry huts stocked with creature comforts.
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Bikepacking through Time in the San Rafael Swell
We're miles away from civilization here in southeastern Utah’s San Rafael Swell, and we carry everything we need on our bikes. This is the type of adventure I've longed for, a trip that reminds us of our self-worth, resilience, and how little we actually need to survive.
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Dog-Friendly Utah: The Road to Mighty
Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Check it out and plan your trip!
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Find a Winter Refresh in a Utah State Park
The best Utah state parks will entice you with ice fishing, white sand and snow-dusted scenery. Take a winter break to refresh with a visit to a few of these places.
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How To Bikepack Utah Like a Girl Boss
Here are the key things you need to know as you start planning your first bikepacking trip.
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How to Bikepack: Pro Tips for Planning a Multi-day Backcountry Ride
Want to learn how to bikepack? Check out these tips and bikepacking gear list from veteran rider Kurt Gensheimer and plan your own Utah bikepacking trip!
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Knobby Tired Nomads: Bikepacking the Utah High Country
If you’re into bikepacking, Utah is a place you’ll want to check out. Read about a self-supported tour of Utah’s backcountry here, and start planning your trip.
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Mission to Mars: Riding Gooseberry Mesa
You haven’t truly ridden a mountain bike until you’ve visited the stunning slickrock of Gooseberry Mesa. Learn more about this spectacular Utah trail.
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Moab's Singletrack Renaissance
Moab isn’t just for burly Slickrock riders anymore. In the last few years, local groups have established dozens of miles of new mountain bike trails.
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Mountain Biking the Wood Hill Trail System
Luke’s Loop is one of several options in the Wood Hill trail system in central Utah, a favorite for locals and those just passing through.
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Ridin' Greater Zion
Southeastern Utah might be the state’s hidden gem of mountain biking. Learn about the top mountain biking trails in this area and plan a getaway you’ll never forget.
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Seven Must-Ride Mountain Biking Trails in Utah
To help you plan a Utah mountain biking trip, we've assembled a list of seven of Utah’s best mountain biking trails followed by a roundup of Utah’s best fat-tire destinations.
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The Complete Winter Camping Packing List for Staying Warm in Southern Utah
For most travelers, Southern Utah winters prevent comfortable camping, and occasional snowfall can make outdoor adventure a little more challenging. With a little extra planning, good layers, and the right equipment, however, you can enjoy Utah's national parks in the solitude of winter.
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The Coyote Canyon Loop
An easy 20-minute trip south from Park City, the Coyote Canyon Trail is a gorgeous 20-mile loop that undulates through the sprawling expanses of Heber Valley and showcases some of its best features along the way.
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Top 5 Rules of the Ride: How to Mountain Bike Responsibly on Utah Trails
Mountain biking is one of Utah’s most popular activities enjoyed by riders of all ages and skill levels. Be able to fly down that flow trail by, first, understanding and respecting the rules of the ride.
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Utah's Outdoors Are Wide Open for All Abilities
Utah’s National Ability Center is known for changing lives through its adaptive recreation programs. Truth is, just setting foot on the center’s 26-acre ranch can feel transformative.
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Visions of Grandeur: Heaven and Hell on Two Wheels
The story of a women’s bikepacking trip unspoils 250 miles of the majesty of Bear Ears country, including three national monuments, one national recreation area and a national park.
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Wild Heber: Close-to-Home Adventure
Just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, Heber Valley’s state parks and national forest lands offer a world of adventure. Hike, bike, camp, kayak, watch wildlife and reel in blue-ribbon trout while learning about nature and how to protect it.
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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Dog-Friendly Utah: The Road to Mighty
Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Check it out and plan your trip!
-
How to Bikepack: Pro Tips for Planning a Multi-day Backcountry Ride
Want to learn how to bikepack? Check out these tips and bikepacking gear list from veteran rider Kurt Gensheimer and plan your own Utah bikepacking trip!
-
Knobby Tired Nomads: Bikepacking the Utah High Country
If you’re into bikepacking, Utah is a place you’ll want to check out. Read about a self-supported tour of Utah’s backcountry here, and start planning your trip.
-
Mountain Biking the Wood Hill Trail System
Luke’s Loop is one of several options in the Wood Hill trail system in central Utah, a favorite for locals and those just passing through.
-
Ridin' Greater Zion
Southeastern Utah might be the state’s hidden gem of mountain biking. Learn about the top mountain biking trails in this area and plan a getaway you’ll never forget.
-
Seven Must-Ride Mountain Biking Trails in Utah
To help you plan a Utah mountain biking trip, we've assembled a list of seven of Utah’s best mountain biking trails followed by a roundup of Utah’s best fat-tire destinations.
