Canyonlands National Park

Next up, is Canyonlands National Park, a mere 30-minute drive from Arches, at least to one of its three sections.  Canyonlands’ three districts cover over 337,598 acres of South Eastern Utah.  They are Island in the Sky, Needles and The Maze.  Island in the sky is the most visited and easily accessible section, located between the Green and Colorado Rivers.  The Needles district is just south of Island in the Sky, and is named for the red and white sandstone spires that dominate the landscape.  The Maze is to the west of the rivers and is the most remote section of the Park.  It can only be accessed by an unpaved road which becomes significantly more rugged and difficult to traverse as it goes.  The Maze is considered one of the most remote regions in the lower 48.  If you are to really experience all Canyonlands has to offer, you would need at least a week.  The Needles and Maze districts are geared toward multi-day backpacking trips as opposed to day-hikes.  Due to time and distance, we only visited Island in the Sky.  We considered making the drive down to the Needles district to see the meeting of the Green and Colorado Rivers at the Confluence Overlook, but decided the 10-mile hike was not conducive to our plans or endurance at the time.

Mesa Arch

View from the Mesa Arch

We discovered quickly Island in the Sky is much less about the actual hiking and more about the stunning vistas and overlooks found throughout.  We hiked a quick half mile loop up to the breathtaking Mesa Arch.  The opening of the arch creates a perfect frame overlooking the vast canyons off in the distance, saying you can see for miles is an understatement.  The Green River Overlook is less than a minute’s walk from the car. The view from the 6,000-foot elevation showcases the Green River and how it has carved through the surrounding landscape over millions of years.  The Grand View Point trail is a two-mile hike providing incredible panoramic views of Canyonlands, ending at the overlook of the Colorado River on the opposite side of this Island in the Sky.

Green River Overlook

The Mesa Arch, Green River Overlook and Grand View Point are the ‘must-dos’ of Island in the Sky, but if you have time check out the Upheaval Dome as well.  It is a 1.8 mile moderately strenuous hike to two overlooks in the park.  The Upheaval Dome is believed to be the result of a meteorite striking the Earth around 60 million years ago.  Again, if you have the time I recommend checking out Dead Horse Point State Park, about a fifteen-minute drive north of Canyonlands.  Although not actually a part of the National Park, it delivers some more breathtaking and awe-inspiring views of the surrounding lands.  

National Park Ratings

1. Arches National Park

2. Canyonlands National Park

3. Shenandoah Valley National Park