Visit Canyonlands National Park

Nearby Communities;

Bluff
Mexican Hat
Blanding
Monticello
Cortez, Colorado

Nearby Attractions;

Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Goosenecks State Park
Hovenweep National Monument
Lake Powell
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Natural Bridges National Monument
Newspaper Rock State Park
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
Earth Class Mail

Sunrise at Mesa Arch

Canyonlands is a colorful landscape eroded, colorful canyons, mesas and buttes formed by the Colorado River and its tributaries. The rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves. Each of these areas retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration.  

Vermillion Cliffs

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Explore the Park
Visit Canyonlands and see what it has to offer. From scenic overlooks at the Island in the Sky, to the remote canyons of the Maze, to the roiling rapids of the river in Cataract Canyon, adventure awaits!

Some of the rock art in Horseshoe Canyon was painted over 3,000 years ago. Now known as "Barrier Canyon" style rock art, it was painted by nomadic groups of hunter-gatherers that roamed throughout the southwest. Nature & Science
Canyonlands preserves one of the last, relatively undisturbed areas of the Colorado Plateau, a geologic province that encompasses much of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Carved out of vast sedimentary rock deposits, this area possesses remarkable natural features that support a fascinating desert ecosystem.
Climate
The climate in Canyonlands is extremely dry. Most precipitation falls in early spring and late summer. Summer highs often exceed 100 Degrees Fahrenheit, with lows in the 60's. Fall and Spring temperatures are milder, with highs in the 70's and 80's. Winter temperatures range from highs in the 40's and 50's to lows well below freezing. Snow is usually light to moderate.

The park is divided into four districts by the Green and Colorado rivers: the Island in the Sky, the Maze, the Needles, and the rivers themselves.The Island in the Sky is the most accessible district, offering expansive views from many overlooks along the paved scenic drive, several hikes of varying length and a popular four-wheel-drive road. The Needles District offers more of a backcountry experience, requiring some hiking or four-wheel driving to see the area’s attractions. The Maze is a remote district requiring considerably more time and self-reliance to visit. Northwest of the Maze, the Horseshoe Canyon Unit is a day-use area with stunning Native American rock art panels. River trips offer another way to experience the park and usually involve two or more days of boating. There are no roads within the park that directly link the four districts. Though they may appear close on a map, traveling between them requires two to six hours by car as there are few places to cross the Colorado and Green rivers. Most people find it impractical to visit more than one or two districts in a single trip.

Backcountry Permits
Activities requiring a permit include backpacking, four-wheel-drive and mountain bike camping, river trips, and four-wheel-drive day use in Horse and Lavender canyons in the Needles District. Fees are charged and group size limits apply (see chart below). Obtaining a River PermitRiver permits are issued Monday through Friday from the Reservation Office in Moab, and may be received in advance by mail. When the Reservation Office is closed, the Island in the Sky Visitor Center can also issue river permits. Obtaining Other Backcountry PermitsPermits (other than river) are issued seven days a week at district visitor centers. Permits can be reserved in advance. Walk-in permits are only available the day before or the day of a trip. Permits are issued up to one hour before the close of business each day. Length of StayPermits (except day use) can be issued for up to fourteen consecutive nights. Backpackers may stay up to seven consecutive nights in any one site or zone. Visitors using the designated vehicle camps may stay a maximum of three consecutive nights at a camping area before having to relocate. FeesTo help recover some of the costs of permit processing and the reservation system, Canyonlands charges a nonrefundable reservation fee for each permit. These fees are paid by both walk-ins and visitors making advance reservations.

Reservation Office staff are available by phone to answer questions and assist with trip planning Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Mountain Time), at (435) 259-4351. When workload permits, phones may be answered until 4:00 p.m.
Maps of each district as well as the entire park are available.