Tour Canyonlands National Park

Deeply eroded canyons formed by the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers divide this park into three unique districts - Needles, Island in the Sky and Maze. This area was formerly inaccessible and little known outside of Southern Utah. However its bright orange-red sandstone cliffs provided a wild setting for many Zane Grey novels.

Canyonlands was officially designated national park status in 1964 and today encompasses 337,570 acres. Even today, portions of the park remained unexplored, but there exists evidence of prehistoric human habitation and petroglyphs nearly a thousand years old.

Canyonlands National Park
Superintendent, 444 S. Main Street, Moab, UT 84532; (435) 259-3911;
NPS Website;
Canyonlands Field Institute -

Moab Area Adventure Groups
Adventure Tour Groups for SouthEast Utah - Biking, Rafting, Desert Tours, Outfitters, etc.

• Needles District: - major district of the park consists of thousands of red and white rounded spires, pillars and balanced rocks rising hundreds of feet into the air. Access is from highway SR-211.

• Island in the Sky District: - Prominent highland located between the Green and Colorado Rivers, the tip of this mesa - Grandview Point - offers spectacular views in all directions. Access is on a graded, dry-weather road of SR-313.
• Maze District: - The most difficult to reach district of the park - use SR-24 to Hans Flat Ranger Station turnoff where you follow a dirt trail for 46 miles. Remote and rugged - the Indian petroglyphs found here are some of the finest anywhere.
• Upheaval Dome: - mysterious geological oddity of nature. Located in the Island in the Sky District - a deep, vertical walled crater with a massive stone sticking up from the surrounding sandstone.
• Newspaper Rock: - Actually a state park located outside the Needles District - preserves a series of prehistoric petroglyphs chipped in the cliffs.
• Angel Arch: - a sandstone span guarded by a large angellike figure. Discovered only as recently as 1955 in a rather inaccessible part of the park.
• Arches National Park is located another great parkland located nearby.

  Wildlife: Plant and fauna is rather sparse in this desert environment, but certainly not barren. Ground squirrels, rabbits, kangaroo rats and other rodents make their home here amongst the pinyon-juniper. At night deer, coyote and foxes come out. A native pack of desert bighorn sheep also live here.

  Birdwatching: Over 100 species of birds live in or migrate through the Canyonlands.

  Boating: Small boats can enter Canyonlands from two directions - either from the town Green River or from Moab on the Colorado River.

  Big-water Rapids: - A challenging destination is Cataract Canyon - it is a major challenge for river runners. A permit is required to enter the canyon. Many guided tour groups are available - check with the park superintendent.

  Outdoor Recreation: - Many trails available for backcountry hiking, four-wheel drive touring, mountain biking, horse, canoe, kayak or rafting. Back-country travel permit is required. (435) 259-4351;

  Camping: There is a 14-day limit at several campgrounds in and around Canyonlands.

  • Sqauw Flat
  • Willow Flat
  • Indian Creek State Park
  • Dead Horse Point State Park
  • Manti-La Sal National Forest - several good campgrounds

  Canyonlands Half Marathon [MAR]
  Just in time for the spring thaw, over 4800 runners run scenic state highway 128 that hugs the Colorado River coursing through Canyonlands National Park when it begins to bloom.

  Accomodations: No lodging is available inside the park. But hotel and camping is nearby.