15 Best Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park
From the dramatic cliffs atop the Island in the Sky to the endless drainages found throughout the Maze, Canyonlands National Park is arguably the most expansive National Park in the lower 48 when it comes to the things to do!
By this, I mean that there are four districts in Canyonlands National Park: the Island in the Sky, The Needles, the Rivers, and the Maze. However, park visitors are typically considered to be lucky if they have time to experience just two of these!
That being said, the Island in the Sky, followed by The Needles, are easily the two most popular and accessible districts in Canyonlands National Park, which is largely reflected in the list below.
Arches vs. Canyonlands
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is, by and large, the busier of Moab’s two National Parks.
This is because the vast majority of the best things to do within Arches are all concentrated off the 18.4-mile (29.6 km) Arches National Park Road, the one and only paved road in the park.
Therefore, most visitors in Arches are essentially visiting the same places/ trails off this scenic drive, with the exception of a few backcountry destinations.
However, in 2022, Arches National Park implemented an advanced vehicle reservation system to combat these crowds, which is continuing to make its way into parks across the United States.
With that in mind, Arches requires some advanced planning now more than ever, most notably by securing a vehicle reservation during the busy summer season.
To learn more, I encourage you to read about the timed-entry program, including the details about how to visit without a reservation, at the beginning of my separate Arches National Park article.
Read My Separate Post: Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Compared to Arches, Canyonlands National Park is far less visited, which largely comes down to one thing: accessibility.
By this, I mean that Canyonlands National Park is divided into 4 districts, with the most accessible and popular being the Island in the Sky.
However, there’s also The Needles, the Maze, and the Rivers District, which are, by far, more remote and spread out compared to how I just described Arches.
For this reason, Canyonlands takes much more time to get the sense that you’ve truly seen the best of it. With that in mind, I highly recommend exploring beyond the Island in the Sky, as some of the best things to do in Canyonlands National Park, such as The Needles District, can be enjoyed with a fraction of the crowds that can be found in areas closer to Moab.
Hiking Checklist - Canyonlands
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Canyonlands National Park.
15 Best Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst. However, it’s important to come prepared for the time of year you’ll be visiting.
What I mean is that the temperatures in the summer regularly soar above 100 ºF (38 ºC), and the sandstone in the winter/ spring can be particularly dangerous and slippery when there’s snow and ice.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you plan your adventures appropriately for the conditions, while considering the guided options when the summer heat makes hiking the most dangerous.
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. Mesa Arch Trail (Sunrise)
Distance: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
The Mesa Arch in the Island of the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park is a favorite among locals and visitors for the unique opportunity to see the beautiful arch perched just above the canyon rim.
To this point, the unique angle created by the Mesa Arch is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Canyonlands National Park and all of Moab to watch the sunrise!
The arch is a popular location among photographers, and if this is a photo that you may be interested in taking, I highly recommend reading through my experience in my separate post, as there are somethings that you may want to know before visiting.
Read My Separate Post: Mesa Arch Trail
My Print - Mesa Arch
2. Chesler Park Loop Trail
Distance: 10.7 miles / 17.2 km
The Chesler Park-Joint Trail Loop via Elephant Hill, more commonly known as the Chesler Park Loop Trail, is, without a doubt, the best hike in The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park!
As the Chesler Park Trail climbs its way from the Elephant Hill Trailhead, the loop winds its way into the heart of The Needles before passing through what many regard as the highlight of the entire hike: the Joint Trail!
Overall, I truly believe there isn’t a better hike in The Needles, if you are trying to decide between a number of options within the area, but know that the Chesler Park Loop Trail is best suited for experienced hikers who are accustomed to longer adventures that typically take most of a day.
Read My Separate Post: Chesler Park Loop Trail
3. Canyonlands Backcountry Tour
As previously mentioned, the vast majority of Canyonlands is one of the most remote and challenging National Parks in the lower 48 to truly see, and visitors that come to Canyonlands are considered lucky if they have time to visit both the Island in the Sky and The Needles.
That being said, venturing below the rim is easier for out-of-state visitors than it may initially seem, as these local operators out of Moab can take you to places along White Rim Road that most visitors never take the opportunity to see!
4. Upheaval Dome Trail
Distance: 1.3 miles / 2.1 km
The Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky District is one of the most unique and mysterious geologic formations across the entire Arches-Canyonlands area.
If you are interested to see it, know that there are two separate trails that hikers can take to experience this beautiful natural crater, which you can learn more about, including the theories about how this crater came to be, in my separate article.
Read My Separate Post: Upheaval Dome Trail
5. Colorado River Rafting Tour (Rivers District)
Rafting the Colorado River with an experienced local guide out of Moab is one of the best ways to enjoy a part of Canyonlands that most never venture out of their way to see!
By this, I mean that the Rivers District is, without a doubt, the least-visited district within Canyonlands National Park, largely because it is so inaccessible.
However, rafting with a local guide is the best way to enjoy this part of the park that you would otherwise only get t see from miles away atop the Island in the Sky.
The first two tours are cheaper, half-day options, where it simply depends on your preference regarding the time of day, but the last is a full-day experience, in which you get the unique opportunity of off-roading down into Canyonlands National Park through a remote part of the park that is otherwise very inaccessible to most park visitors.
6. White Rim Overlook Trail
Distance: 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
The White Rim Overlook within the Island in the Sky District is one of Canyonland’s best all-around sunrise and sunset hikes!
I say this because the White Rim Overlook makes for one of the best alternatives to the much more popular Mesa Arch Trail, which you can learn all about in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: White Rim Overlook Trail
7. Pothole Point Trail
Distance: 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
In terms of easy, kid-friendly day hikes, the Pothole Point Trail stands alone for being one of the best!
Located in The Needles District of Canyonlands, the short Pothole Point Loop Trail makes for a great quick adventure—especially if you stick around to watch sunset along the cliffs of the mesa!
Read My Separate Post: Pothole Point Trail
8. Neck Spring Trail
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9.0 km
The Neck Spring Trail is an adventure unlike many others, as the historic trail follows in the footsteps of southern Utah’s long ranching history.
The 5.6-mile (9.0 km) loop trail can be hiked in either direction, but to learn more about why I prefer the hike the trail in one direction over the other, and to discover more about this off-trail hidden viewpoint in the photo below, I highly encourage you to read through the details in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Neck Spring Trail
9. Aztec Butte Trail
Distance: 1.7 miles / 2.7 km
While it might not seem like it based on distance alone, the Aztec Butte Trail is one of the most unique and challenging trails within the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park.
For this reason, I highly recommend checking out my separate post in order to learn more about this beautiful but challenging scramble up to the summit!
Read My Separate Post: Aztec Butte Trail
10. Slickrock Trail
Distance: 2.7 miles / 4.3 km
The Slickrock Trail, also referred to as the Slickrock Foot Trail, is an adventure in The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park that most hikers never get to see the best of.
By this, I mean that most hikers on the Slickrock Trail never venture far enough on the trail to see the best of what the hike has to offer.
For this reason, I highly encourage you to read through the details in my separate article, so that you can experience the most beautiful parts of the full Slickrock Loop Trail!
Read My Separate Post: Slickrock Trail
11. Green River Overlook
The Green River Overlook is widely renowned for being one of the best drive-up locations to enjoy the sunset in Island of the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park.
I say this because the panoramic views are among the best of any location, and for photographers, there are countless unique angles to shoot this beautiful overlook along both sides of the main viewpoint.
Google Maps Directions: Green River Overlook
12. Cave Spring Trail
Distance: 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
The Cave Spring Trail is one of the best and shortest hikes across the Arches-Canyonlands area to learn about southern Utah’s long ranching history.
The short 0.6-mile (1.0 km) Cave Spring Loop Trail not only passes by one of very few natural springs found anywhere across this arid landscape, but the trail also has some of the most beautifully preserved artifacts of any day hike from this era that once dominated this vast desert.
Read My Separate Post: Cave Spring Trail
13. Murphy Point Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
The Murphy Point Trail is one of my personal favorite day hikes in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park!
This 1.7-mile (2.7 km) out-and-back trail makes for one of the park’s best sunset hikes, which you can learn all about in my separate article.
Read My Separate Post: Murphy Point Trail
14. Grand View Point Overlook & Trail
Distance: 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
The Grand View Point is arguably the best and most rewarding overlook and day hike in all of Canyonlands National Park!
I say this because the relatively short 0.9-mile (1.4 km) out-and-back trail traverses the southernmost tip of the Island in the Sky mesa, leading to one of the most panoramic views found anywhere in the park!
Furthermore, the Grand View Point Trail is also one of the easiest trails, with very little elevation change over the course of the hike, making the adventure one of the best things to do in all of Canyonlands—especially if you hike the trail for sunset!
Read My Separate Post: Grand View Point Trail
15. Whale Rock Trail
Distance: 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
Just like the name implies, Whale Rock is a prominent sandstone rock formation in the Island in the Sky District that very distinctly looks like the shape of a whale from miles away!
In any case, the trail that climbs up Whale Rock is arguably the best all-around sunrise and sunset hike in Canyonlands National Park because of its unobstructed 360º views from the summit!
Read My Separate Post: Whale Rock Trail
Why am I Recommending these Viator Tours?
One of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
Additionally, I’ve included these tours because exploring hard-to-get-to areas, like the Rivers District, might not be the way you want to go. Therefore, the tour options I’ve listed are a safe and amazing way to experience Moab and the greater area, and they offer the opportunity to discover nearby adventures that you may not have heard of otherwise!
20 Best Things to Do Near Moab
Since Moab is so far east in Utah, recommending the best things to do in the area entirely depends on what direction you’re driving to or from.
Therefore, the list below is fairly broad, but I wanted to include a list of adventures within a few hours in any direction of Moab, which is why these recommendations come from Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico!
1. Dead Horse Point State Park (Sunset)
Dead Horse Point feels like a hidden gem in Moab compared to the nearby National Parks that draw most of the attention.
By this, I mean that Dead Horse Point is not a part of either National Park, but it’s managed entirely separate under the Utah Division of State Parks.
Being the case, there is a separate small entrance fee to visit Dead Horse Point. However, if you’re looking for something a little different to do in the Moab area, Dead Horse Point makes for an amazing spot to watch the sunset, and you might even recognize the area from one of many movies that were filmed at this exact location!
Google Maps Directions: Dead Horse Point
2. Moab Adventure Tours
Desert canyoneering is easily one of the best things to do in Moab, as there are a ton of options to choose from, with both half-day and full-day tours, as well as options that are great for singles, couples, and families with kids!
In any case, the first three options are all the best half-day tours, while the last three are all the best full-day adventures!
3. Moab Brewery
Moab Brewery is my favorite spot to grab a burger and beer after enjoying a long day in either Arches or Canyonlands!
I say this even after trying some of the other breweries in town, because, in my opinion, none are as good as Moab Brewery, located just south of downtown.
Yelp: Moab Brewery
4. Ice Lake & Columbine Lake Trail
Distance (Ice Lake): 8.8 miles / 14.1 km
Distance (Columbine Lake): 8.3 miles / 13.4 km
Compared to some of my other Utah recommendations below, the Ice Lake and Columbine Lake Trails in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado are actually a closer drive to Moab than a number of the other Southwest adventures on this list.
For this reason, I couldn’t recommend going out of the way to either of these stunning alpine lakes any more if you’ll be driving anywhere east of Moab!
Read My Separate Post: Ice Lake Trail / Columbine Lake Trail
My Print - Columbine Lake
5. Moab 4x4 Adventures
Being that there are so many beautiful canyons, arches, and endless miles of open desert, off-roading in Moab is truly a locals’ pastime!
Therefore, I couldn’t recommend one of these off-roading tours any more, as they can be one of the best ways to see Moab without the same crowds that the parks inevitably draw.
6. Jailhouse Café
There’s absolutely no question that the historic Jailhouse Café is the best place in Moab to sit down for breakfast!
This beautiful little café has a long history in Moab, as it was once the original county courthouse and jail that dates back to the late 1800s.
Subsequently, the courthouse served numerous different purposes, including a post office and a store, among others, but since 1992, the building was purchased and renovated into the quaint little Jailhouse Café that locals and visitors love today!
Yelp: Jailhouse Café
7. Moab Helicopter Tour
With the La Sal Mountains to the east and both Arches and Canyonlands on either side of Moab, having the opportunity to see this stunning desert landscape from above is easily one of the best things to do across the Southwest—especially if you can book an early morning or late evening flight when the softer light really makes colors come out!
8. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
If you’re driving east toward the San Juan Mountains because of my Columbine Lake recommendation, don’t skip over a visit to one of America’s most stunning and least-visited National Parks in the country!
That being said, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park feel like a hidden gem compared to both Arches and Canyonlands, making it one of my favorite places to hike in an otherwise very popular part of the country.
Read My Separate Post: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
9. Antelope Canyon Tour
Antelope Canyon and everything that Page, Arizona, has to offer is only a four-and-a-half-hour drive away from Moab!
That being said, one of the biggest questions regarding both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon is, which tour is better?
Personally, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy both tours. So, if you’d like to read about my honest side-by-side comparison about both canyons, I highly recommend checking out my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Upper vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
Lower Antelope Canyon
My Print - Upper Antelope Canyon
Upper Antelope Canyon
10. Horseshoe Bend
Distance: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
You can’t talk about Page without mentioning Horseshoe Bend!
This is because Horseshoe Bend is easily one of the best things to do in Page, AZ, and it’s truly a must-see if you’re already making the trip to see Antelope Canyon.
Personally, I love visiting Horseshoe Bend at sunset, but the soft morning light at sunrise is equally a favorite among both hikers and photographers.
Google Maps Directions: Horseshoe Bend Trailhead
11. Shop Local National Park Gear
About as local as you can get, a few of my good friends out of St. George, Utah, design their own National Park gear from parks around the country.
My camera strap, made by my friends at WildTree, has been my longest-standing camera strap that I’ve owned, and I encourage you to check them out over any of the overpriced souvenirs in Moab.
Shop: WildTree
12. Antica Forma
Antica Forma is the best pizza and Italian restaurant in Moab, and just like the Moab Brewery mentioned above, Antica Forma is a great filling choice after spending a long day in either Arches or Canyonlands National Park!
Yelp: Antica Forma
13. Goblin Valley State Park
Located between Moab and Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley State Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit for the day, and know that my old photo surely doesn’t show how beautiful this place really is!
Nevertheless, the Goblin's Lair is easily my favorite part of Goblin Valley, but there are so many unique rock formations to explore, located only a few minutes from the main parking lot.
Google Maps Directions: Goblin Valley State Park
14. Cassidy Arch Trail
Distance: 3.1 miles / 5.0 km
Like Goblin Valley mentioned above, the Cassidy Arch Trail is a must-do if you’ll be anywhere near Hanksville, Utah.
Furthermore, the Cassidy Arch is a fairly easy out-and-back day hike, and it makes for a really fun sunrise adventure—like the photo below—when I was visiting during one of the hotter times of the year.
AllTrails: Cassidy Arch Trail
15. Singha Thai Cuisine
Personally, I love finding dine-in restaurants that are different from the traditional American options that can be found in small towns across the West, and Singha Thai is the perfect choice for a great, healthy meal on the road!
Yelp: Singha Thai Cuisine
16. Peek-a-Boo & Spooky Slot Canyons
Distance: 6.0 miles / 9.7 km
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places to explore in southern Utah. However, don’t underestimate how much of an adventure Hole-in-the-Rock Road is on its own!
What I mean by this is that most adventures out of Escalante, like Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons, begin down the long, remote Hole-in-the-Rock Road.
Personally, I’ve driven this remote stretch many times, both in a 2WD and 4WD, which may be necessary, depending on the time of year you’re visiting—such as during the summer monsoonal rains that can wash out sections of the road.
Therefore, it’s important to be prepared for the current conditions, which is why I recommend calling the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center prior to making a visit.
In any case, Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch are some of the best day hikes outside of Escalante, but if you’d like more of a guarantee on this epic and remote adventure, I recommend booking with one of the local guides out of Kanab!
AllTrails: Peek-a-Boo & Spooky Slot Canyons
17. Four Corners
Four Corners Monument is not often a convenient stop when driving across the Southwest, but if you happen to be making your way between Petrified Forest, Moab, Mesa Verde National Park or even Albuquerque, then I highly recommend making the trip out of the way to Four Corners!
This quick stop may be just to 'say you did it,' but even still, I think that Four Corners makes for a nice place to get out of the car, stretch your legs, and simply break up a long day on the road.
Google Maps Directions: Four Corners Monument
18. Bryce Canyon National Park
There’s truly too much to write about this amazing National Park in just a couple of sentences, but if you’re heading west from Moab to do all of the parks across southern Utah, don’t skip spending a day or two hiking though the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon.
Read My Separate Post: Bryce Canyon National Park
My Print - Bryce Canyon National Park
19. Fiesta Mexicana
If you’re looking for some good Mexican food, consider Fiesta Mexicana, located right in the heart of downtown Moab!
Their menu is one of the biggest I’ve ever seen, to the point where it can feel overwhelming! However, everything I’ve tried over the years is always a winner, and everyone in your group will surely be happy with the amount of amazing options that they offer!
Yelp: Fiesta Mexicana
20. Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument easily makes my top 20 list, but in terms of being near Moab, Dinosaur is the odd one out.
By this, I mean that most of the best things on this list are in the general Utah, Arizona, and Colorado area, making Dinosaur National Monument the most out-of-the-way adventure on this list.
However, I absolutely recommend going out of your way to see Dinosaur if you’re coming from or heading to northern Utah/ southern Idaho, but if not, keep Dinosaur on your list for a future trip!
Google Maps Directions: Dinosaur National Monument
