One of Utah’s MIghty Five, this is a beautiful national park with overlooks giving amazing views. We visited the Islands in the Sky portion of the park. From many of the viewpoints, it’s evident we were high up looking down on the surrounding landscape. Mesa Arch is probably the most famous formation given its usage in a Microsoft desktop background. We also found the Green River Overlook and Grand View Point Overlook to be impressive with both viewpoints a short walk from their parking lots. While the park did not require reservations to enter, there was still a 15 minute wait to get past the front gate to enter when we visited in early September. Most of the parking lots were busy but not full. There is a visitor’s center with rangers answering questions and a souvenir shop. However, there is no plumbing in the park and all the toilets are vault toilets. There are also no dining facilities in the park, so make sure to pack something to eat. While you’re in the area, don’t forget to visit the neighboring Dead Horse Point; we found the view from there to be just as impressive.

Canyonlands N.P. was definitely one of the highlights of our recent trip to Utah. We only had one day (regretfully, to be amended next time for sure!!) so we concentrated on Island In The Sky. We started off with the Visitor Center which was beautiful and informative, and received tips as to what to do and how to plan our day. The video is well worth watching. Then we set off to the various viewpoints and short hikes. We loved the circular route to Mesa Arch and the arch itself. Even though it was a weekend, the place wasn't crowded which was nice. We went on to visit the Green River Overlook and stopped at a few more points of interest before going to the greatest of them all - Grand View Point Overlook. As someone who has rafted the Grand Canyon some 29 times, and read John Wesley Powell's book, it was interesting to see where the Green and Colorado rivers meet, a point first discovered by Powell at the end of the 19th century. We spent some time here, hiking along the rim both ways from the parking area. We didn't want to leave. Because of the expanse and the huge area that can be viewed from this point, photos don't really do it justice, but i have attached a few nevertheless. Beautiful Park!! Amazing Scenery!!

I visited on a cold, snowy day in late December and the park which sits at around 6000' was in the clouds, so all I could see at the Visitor's Center was fog. I almost gave up. Although the roads had some snow (mostly plowed) certain spots peeked out of the fog and I got some great vistas. I kept driving around and kept finding open skies and vistas, so I am glad I didn't give up. It also meant the place was deserted and I felt like I had the place to myself. If it snows, 4WD and snow tires are helpful.

We loved Canyonlands. Found it less crowded then the other National Parks in Utah. We went to both the south and north entrance and hiked most of the trails. Got there at sunrise for some beautiful pictures. The one thing I would warn you is the elevation. We were not expecting snow and could't do the trails because we were in a blizzard so changed and went to Arches and returned the following day. Watch the weather. Follow the cairns on the trail and maybe use your compass to see where your car is. We didn't have any cell phone coverage in the park so were glad to have brought maps. I would go again! There are trails I thought I couldn't handle but we did them! We were there Oct 21 but they didn't have that as an option here.

We got up super early to be at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands for sunrise. Kevin Walker was our guide. It was so worth getting up early for! Of course, we were not the only people there. I was surprised to see the reflection under the arch as the sun came up.

I went here back in 2017 and had a nice overnight in the Willow Flats Campground to enjoy a good nights sleep on the picnic table. The views of the Sunrise Mesa Ridge was a classic view along with Whale rock and other areas. It feels like home.

We camped in Moab to visit Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. That means we visited only one of the three separate regions of Canyonlands, Island in the Sky, because that entrance is close by Moab. The entrance to the Needles area is 2 hours away. This is a beautiful drive-through, with limited parking for vast canyon overlooks and pit toilet stops. You can see the whole Island in the Sky section of the Canyonlands as a drive-through with limited parking and hiking and taking pictures in 4 hours, as it's about 12 miles from the entry gate to Grand View or to Upheaval Dome, both at the ends of the one road that forks at about the 6 mile point. There is a nice Visitor Center with a film about the area. Especially beautiful were the Shafer Canyon Overlook, Buck Canyon Overlook, and Green River Overlook. There's a long drive in on Hwy 313 before you actually reach the gate with an overlook to see the Monitor and Merrimac huge formations and distant snow capped peaks, a road along which a lot of mountain bikers are having fun, some on the road but most on trails. April 28, 2023, temps rose to 76 and sunny, 55 overnight, with parking along the edges outside official parking lots at all pull-offs.

We were at the group campsite with 18 friends and hiked right from camp 4 days.Peakaboo trail was new to me and very excellent. Chesler Park is an old favorite. Good luck with camp ground host!

We stayed in Moab to visit both Arches and Canyonlands. Canyonlands doesn't have the same wow factor of amazing sights everywhere you look, but definitely worth the visit. Our time was limited so we only went to Island in the Sky. We drove the scenic road and stopped along the way. Green River Overlook and Grand Viewpoint were very interesting to see.

Canyonlands National Park is an interesting place to visit. It is unique in that the park is divided into three sections by the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. I recommend hiking to Upheaval Dome and stopping at the overlooks. The area reminds me of the Grand Canyon but on a much smaller scale.