Hiking the White Rim Overlook Trail in Canyonlands National Park
Distance: 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
The White Rim Overlook Trail is one of the best effort-to-reward trails in Canyonlands National Park.
By this, I mean that the relatively short 0.9-mile (1.4 km) trail off of Island in the Sky Road is one of the park’s easiest day hikes in the Island of the Sky District of Canyonlands to enjoy the jaw-dropping views of the canyon below!
This sentiment can be especially true at sunrise, as the east-facing overlook is one of the least-crowded places in the park to watch first light shine on the canyon floor!
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, 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!
White Rim Overlook Trailhead Parking
Parking for the White Rim Overlook Trailhead is located near the end of Island in the Sky Road, in a small parking lot for both the trail and adjacent picnic area.
Being the case, the White Rim Overlook Trailhead can be one of the more challenging places within the Island in the Sky District to park because there are so few places to find a spot compared to other trailheads off of Island in the Sky Road.
Google Maps Directions: White Rim Overlook Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Canyonlands
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Canyonlands National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Sun Shirt w/ Hood - A quality sun shirt can be your best friend on a trail with minimal shade, which can be found in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the White Rim Overlook Trail
The White Rim Overlook Trail is a mostly flat and straightforward trail, descending about 150 ft. (45.7 m) from the trailhead to the overlook at the end.
White Rim Overlook-Gooseberry Junction
At about 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the White Rim Overlook Trail splits with the Gooseberry Trail—the only other trail junction on the entire hike.
In short, the Gooseberry Trail is a steep trail that descends a number of switchbacks off the Island in the Sky to the White Rim along the canyon rim below.
In any case, go right to continue on the White Rim Overlook Trail.
This next sharp turn, at about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) into the White Rim Overlook Trail, is the only other significant turn on the entire hike.
That being said, it can be difficult to notice before sunrise or after sunset, which are two of the best times to hike to the overlook, in my opinion.
Following these two turns, the White Rim Overlook Trail follows a mostly flat and straight trail for the rest of the hike to the end.
Sun Shirts
If this is your first time in the area, you’re likely unprepared for how strong the sun can be.
For this reason, I recommend picking up a quality, hooded sun shirt if you plan to do any hiking. Protection from the sun cannot be overstated, and in my experience, sunscreen alone has never been enough over a multi-day visit, especially if you’re visiting during the summer season!
This rock formation off in the distance is a nice sign that you’re getting close to the end.
White Rim Overlook
Standing at roughly 6,100 ft. (1,859 m) or about 1,400 ft. (427 m) from the White Rim below, the White Rim Overlook is one of the most panoramic east-facing viewpoints in all of Canyonlands National Park.
To this point, the overlook makes for a great alternative to the much more popular Mesa Arch Trail, if you’re interested in a less-crowded location to watch the sunrise.
Be aware that scrambling out to the edge of the overlook is easily the most dangerous part of the entire trail, and in my opinion, the views aren’t much better, as they are blocked by this final sandstone tower.
This sunset photo was taken looking to the south out toward The Needles District and the Abajo Mountains, just out of frame.
More Canyonlands Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Canyonlands National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
With summer temperatures that soar well above 100 ºF (38 ºC) and snow storms come winter, both Arches and Canyonlands National Park are known for having extremely variable weather throughout the year.
That being said, heavy snow storms are uncommon in the Moab area, but summer adventures need to carefully be planned around the dangerous mid-summer heat. For this reason, you may consider visiting Moab during the off season in order to maximize your time in either park, while also visiting during a time of year that’s far less crowded.
Furthermore, be sure to know the local forecast if you are hiking during the summer monsoon season, as it’s not uncommon for areas, such as slot canyons, to fill with water rapidly, creating very dangerous situations for anyone inside. On top of this, summer monsoonal weather is typically accompanied by lightning, which can be very dangerous in exposed desert areas like the parks around Moab.
As for Canyonlands specifically, the most important thing to stress is the dramatic cliffs surrounding the Island in the Sky and other parts of the park. Even the Mesa Arch is a deadly cliff, which most photos, such as mine, don’t show.
Finally, there is at least one venomous rattlesnake found across the area, which you can learn more about here.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official Arches and Canyonlands National Park websites.
National Park Service: Arches National Park / Canyonlands National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, 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!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
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