National park · United States
Canyonlands National Park
Give Canyonlands one full day at Island in the Sky (Mesa Arch at sunrise, Grand View Point, Green River Overlook), or two days if you add the Needles; skip the Maze unless you have a 4WD and a spare day.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,366 km² (527 sq mi)527 sq mi (1,366 km²)
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 15Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Southwest ↗Most national parks here charge an entrance fee per vehicle; the nationwide annual pass pays off at three or more parks — check current prices.
- Southwest ↗Alcohol is banned on the Navajo Nation and in many pueblos; some Utah restaurants do not serve alcohol or coffee.
- Utah ↗Legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, lower than any other US state; liquor is sold in state-run stores only.
- Utah ↗Some shops and restaurants close on Sunday in smaller towns; national-park services run daily.
- Utah ↗Carry at least 1 gallon (about 4 L) of water per person per day in the desert; summer heat in the south exceeds 38 °C.
- Canyon Country ↗Most visitors buy the America the Beautiful annual pass (2026 estimate US$80) instead of paying per-vehicle fees at each park; check current prices.
- Canyon Country ↗Arches and Zion have used timed-entry or shuttle systems in peak season; check the park site for your dates before you commit to a day.
- Canyon Country ↗Carry more water than you think you need; services between towns are thin and summer heat is the main hazard.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 1,366 km² (527 sq mi)527 sq mi (1,366 km²)
- 337,598 acres (about 1,366 km²) after the 1971 expansion; figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Moab
Canyonlands is three parks in one, split by the Colorado and Green rivers and not connected by any road inside the boundary. Island in the Sky sits on a mesa north of the confluence: a 34-mile round-trip scenic drive, short rim walks and the easiest big views, about 40 minutes from Moab. The Needles, 75 miles south by road, is the hiking district — Chesler Park, the Joint Trail, Druid Arch. The Maze, west of the rivers, is one of the most remote corners of the lower 48 and needs high-clearance 4WD, extra fuel and a permit for overnight trips. Most visitors should do Island in the Sky, add the Needles if they have a second day, and treat the Maze as a separate expedition. The wider Moab and Canyon Country plan — Arches, Dead Horse Point and how the districts fit together — is on the Canyon Country page.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1964.
Size and age
1,366 km² (527 sq mi)527 sq mi (1,366 km²) · national park since 1964
337,598 acres (about 1,366 km²) after the 1971 expansion; figures vary slightly by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Moab.
Why go
- Mesa Arch at sunrise: a half-mile walk to a cliff-edge arch framing the La Sal Mountains.
- Island in the Sky's 34-mile scenic drive packs a dozen overlooks into a half day.
- The Needles' Joint Trail squeezes through slots a few feet wide with walls several stories high.
- Horseshoe Canyon's Great Gallery holds life-sized ancestral Puebloan rock art, added to the park in 1971.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecAvoid
- JanHighs 30–50°F; ice on trails and roads
- FebCold, quiet; check road conditions
- MarWarming; wind and dust
- AprHighs 60–80°F; wildflowers after rain
- MayWarm days, cool nights; busiest spring month
- JunHot; start hikes before 8:00Hot; start hikes before 8:00 AM
- JulOver 100°F; monsoon flash floods
- AugMonsoon storms; slickrock washes flood
- SepMid-month onward cools; storms taper
- OctHighs 60–80°F; clearest walking
- NovCool and quiet; short days
- DecHighs 30–50°F; snow or ice can close trails
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert bighorn sheep (Needles slickrock)Sep–May · Most often seen at dawn on the Slickrock Trail area. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Mule deer and coyotesAll year · Active at dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wildflowers after rainApr–May, Aug–Sep · Annuals bloom after spring and late-summer rains. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Rattlesnakes and lizardsApr–Sep · Watch where you put hands and feet on slickrock. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Moab
US-191 north 10 mi, then UT-313 southwest 22 mi to the Island in the Sky visitor center.
40 min
Open the page →
From Moab (Needles)
US-191 south 40 mi, then UT-211 west 35 mi; UT-211 is the only paved road in and out.
1.5 h
From Green River (Maze)
I-70 to UT-24 south, then a two-wheel-drive dirt road about 46 mi southeast to the Hans Flat ranger station; the Maze itself is another 3–6 h by high-clearance 4WD.
2.5 h to Hans Flat
From Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY)
16 mi north of downtown Moab on US-191; commuter flights and air tours depart here.
20 min to Moab
From Canyon Country plan
Arches, Dead Horse Point and the Moab base, plus how the districts fit together.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Island in the Sky | Northern mesa with the 34-mile scenic drive, Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, Green River Overlook and Upheaval Dome. | Paved road; entrance fee; visitor center. |
| The Needles | Southeast district of Cedar Mesa sandstone spires, with the park's best day hikes and 4WD trails. | Paved UT-211 to the visitor center; fee; trails from Elephant Hill. |
| The Maze | Southwest district west of the rivers; Chocolate Drops, remote canyons and outlaw history. | Dirt roads and 4WD only; no entrance fee; no services. |
| Horseshoe Canyon | Detached unit northwest of the Maze holding the Great Gallery rock art panel. | Dirt road access; walk in; no fee. |
Sketch map
- 1Island in the Sky visitor center · Headquarters≈38.460, -109.821Map ↗
- 2Mesa Arch · Viewpoint≈38.388, -109.864Map ↗
- 3Grand View Point · Viewpoint≈38.310, -109.857Map ↗
- 4Green River Overlook · Viewpoint≈38.379, -109.888Map ↗
- 5Upheaval Dome · Trail≈38.437, -109.929Map ↗
- 6Needles visitor center · Headquarters≈38.168, -109.759Map ↗
- 7Elephant Hill Trailhead · Trail≈38.142, -109.828Map ↗
- 8Chesler Park · Trail≈38.108, -109.871Map ↗
- 9Druid Arch · Trail≈38.088, -109.832Map ↗
- 10Hans Flat ranger station · Ranger station≈38.255, -110.179Map ↗
- 11Horseshoe Canyon (Great Gallery) · Cave≈38.451, -110.208Map ↗
- 12Moab · Town≈38.573, -109.550Map ↗
Take the points offline
12 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the districts are not connected by road inside the park.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance, private vehicle | US$15 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; valid 7 days at Island in the Sky and the Needles |
| Entrance, motorcycle | US$10 | motorcycle | 2026 estimate |
| Entrance, per person (walk or bike) | US$10 | person | 2026 estimate |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | pass | 2026 estimate; covers the pass holder and passengers at federal fee sites |
| White Rim Road overnight permit | US$36 | permit | 2026 estimate; plus per-person camping fees (check) |
| Backcountry camping permit (Needles, Maze) | US$36 | permit | 2026 estimate; reserve ahead in spring and fall (check) |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entrance permit or guide
White Rim Road day use no permit
Overnight backcountry (White Rim, Needles, Maze) permit or guide
River trips on the Colorado or Green permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$15
- US$10
- US$10
- US$80
- US$36
- US$36
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on National Park Service — Canyonlands fees and passes before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Launching or landing a drone anywhere in the park is prohibited.check
- Water
- There is no reliable water outside the visitor centers; carry at least 1 gallon (4 L) per person per day.
- Camping
- Only in designated sites with a permit; no roadside or at-large camping in Island in the Sky.
- Cryptobiotic soil
- Stay on trails and slickrock; the dark crusted soil can take decades to recover.
- Pets
- Not allowed on trails or in the backcountry; they may be walked only where a vehicle can legally go.
- Rock art and structures
- Do not touch, chalk or climb on pictographs, petroglyphs or Puebloan granaries.
Where to stay
Near the park
Moab
Motels, hotels and hostels 40 min from the Island in the Sky gate; the main base for both districts.
Near the park
Monticello
Small-town lodging about 40 min from the Needles entrance.
Near the park
Green River
Base for the Maze and Horseshoe Canyon approach; 2.5 h to Hans Flat.
In the park
The Needles campground
The park's only developed campground, near the Needles visitor center; reserve ahead.
In the park
Backcountry sites (White Rim, Needles, Maze)
Designated sites with a permit; no water, pack everything out.
Safety
Heat and dehydration high
Flash floods high
Remote 4WD roads high
Exposure on the rim medium
Winter ice medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Island in the Sky visitor center, Mesa Arch, Green River Overlook and Grand View Point are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- The Needles visitor center and Cave Spring Trail area have paved access; the district's longer trails are rough and not suitable for limited mobility.
- The Maze and Horseshoe Canyon require dirt-road driving and unmaintained walking; no accessible facilities.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; there are no bins in the backcountry.
- Stay on trails and slickrock to protect cryptobiotic soil and plant regrowth.
- Refill water in Moab or at the visitor centers instead of buying single-use bottles.
- Book permits and campsites in advance so rangers can manage impact in the Needles and Maze.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Canyonlands National Park?
In 2026 the entrance fee is about US$15 per private vehicle, US$10 per motorcycle and US$10 per person on foot or bike, valid for 7 days at both Island in the Sky and the Needles. The Maze district charges no entrance fee. The US$80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers the pass holder and passengers.
What are the best hikes in Canyonlands National Park?
For short walks: Mesa Arch (0.5 mi, best at sunrise) and Grand View Point (2 mi) at Island in the Sky. For a full day: the Chesler Park Loop and Joint Trail (11 mi) or Elephant Canyon to Druid Arch (11 mi) from Elephant Hill in the Needles. Cave Spring (0.6 mi) is the easiest Needles walk.
When is the best time to visit Canyonlands National Park?
April–May and mid-September–October, when daytime highs average 60–80°F. Summer often exceeds 100°F and brings monsoon flash floods; winter highs average 30–50°F and light snow or ice can close trails and roads.
Can I visit Canyonlands in one day?
Yes — do Island in the Sky. Drive UT-313 from Moab (40 min), walk Mesa Arch, then the Grand View Point and Green River Overlook, and drive the 34-mile scenic drive. The Needles is 1.5 h further south and needs its own day.
Do I need a permit for Canyonlands?
Not for day visits to Island in the Sky or the Needles. You do need a permit for overnight backcountry camping (White Rim, Needles, Maze) and for multi-day river trips; day use of the White Rim Road needs no permit but requires a high-clearance 4WD.
Is the Maze district worth it?
Only if you have high-clearance 4WD, extra fuel and water, and at least a full day each way. It is one of the most remote areas in the lower 48, with no services and no entrance fee. Most visitors skip it.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialNational Park Service — Canyonlands National Park
- officialNational Park Service — Canyonlands fees and passes
- officialNational Park Service — Canyonlands hiking trails
- officialNational Park Service — Horseshoe Canyon
- secondaryWikipedia — Canyonlands National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Canyonlands National Park, revision 5236861 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Canyonlands National Park
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