Known for sweeping canyon views of a dramatic red rock landscape, Canyonlands National Park is sure to make your jaw drop. In this ultimate guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan your trip to Canyonlands.
Divided into five distinct districts, Canyonlands National Park is home to many distinct geological phenomena and is famous for sweeping views of – you guessed it – CANYONS!
What makes this park so unique is that there is truly something for everyone. From those that enjoy short hikes and viewpoints to off-grid, self-sufficient adventurers, there is a place in Canyonlands for people of all ages and abilities.
Top things to do in Canyonlands National Park
With five different and impressive districts, exploring all of Canyonlands could take lifetimes. No matter if it’s your first or fifth time visiting Canyonlands, you’ll find something new to see in this list of things to do inside the park.
If you’re looking for the very best things to do in Canyonlands National Park, here are our top recommendations:
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Watch the sunrise at Mesa Arch
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Hit the scenic viewpoints at Island in the Sky
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Go on a river rafting tour
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Take a scenic drive down White Rim Road
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See the granaries at Aztec Butte
Keep reading for more detailed information on each of these activities and more ideas of fun things to do in Canyonlands National Park.
1. Watch The Sunrise At Mesa Arch
You’d think all the best arches in Utah would be exclusive to only the aptly named Arches National Park, however a quick search of Canyonlands will prove just the opposite.
Millions of photographers and visitors flock to this magnificent archway to photograph the first morning rays illuminating the canyon in a mysterious glow.
You’d be shocked at how easy it is to get to such a spectacular place. The trail is less than a mile long and almost flat the entire way, making this very accessible to anyone visiting Canyonlands. We have a Mesa Arch trail guide on our sister site with all the details you’ll need.
2. Hit The Scenic Viewpoints In Island In The Sky
Viewpoints within National Parks do an incredible job of showcases expansive vistas to truly take in the entirety of a place.
A handful of the overlooks in Canyonlands have trails leaving the viewing area. If you have time, we definitely recommend them!
3. Go On A River Rafting Tour
Floating down the very river(s) that carved Canyonlands will give you a better perspective and appreciation for the unique geology of the park.
Depending on what part of the rivers you paddle, you’ll get an entirely different experience. You can experience a more peaceful float above where the Green and Colorado confluence, but once you get past it, the two rivers come together to create Class III and V whitewater rafting.
4. Take A Scenic Drive Down The White Rim Road
When gazing out from the top of Canyonlands, you can’t help but notice a lower canyon shelf with a stark white rim. If you’re lucky, right along this rim, you can spot cars driving along the most adventurous feat in Canyonlands.
The 100-mile White Rim road is the experience of a lifetime. With the proper high-clearance, 4×4 vehicle, ability to self-rescue, and self-sufficiency, the journey around the canyon rim is a special one.
A typical journey around the rim takes 2-3 days to be thorough, but some people opt to compact the adventure into one. It’s also a popular route for bikepacking.
5. See The Granaries At Aztec Butte
Take a moderate, 1.6-mile trail to two ancient Puebloan granaries and a scenic butte with expansive vistas. This hike is one of the more unique things to do in Canyonlands National Park.
You’ll follow the sandy trail for a little over 0.25-miles before there will be a spur trail on your left that takes you to the granaries. Once you hike out, you’ll follow the rest of the trail, circumnavigating the butte.
Parts of the trail require some light (but fun) scrambling, so be sure to wear shoes with a bit of grip!
6. Ponder Theories At Upheaval Dome
Quite possibly the most interesting site in Canyonlands is this enormous and unusual crater filled with salt deposits. While most of the landscapes in canyonlands have been shaped and untouched for millions of years, Upheaval Dome is a different story.
It’s debated among geologists how exactly this came to be formed, and even though no conclusions have been made, you can’t help but wonder yourself while looking at it.
Was it the result of a meteorite colliding with the Earth over 60-million years ago?
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7. Visit The Green River Overlook At Sunset
Canyonlands is filled with incredible sunset locations. You could drive to any of the viewpoints and be blown away with the orange hues illuminating the canyon.
However, the Green River Overlook takes the crown for being one of the best views in the park, but especially for sunset. The Green River twisting through the canyon is a favorite among photographers.
The viewpoint itself is a very small area, so you may want to arrive a little earlier so you can get a good spot.
8. See The Great Gallery At Horseshoe Canyon
Some of the most significant and well-preserved rock art in North America is a bucket list for so many people. Although the journey to get to the artwork is about a days long, you won’t regret seeing rock art estimated to be 2,000-8,000-years old.
There are many spots to see rock art in Horseshoe Canyon, but the most spectacular is known as the Great Gallery. It spans 200-feet across and 15-feet high, featuring the art of Desert Archaic cultures that predate Fremont and Ancestral Puebloans.
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