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Utah, United States

Canyonlands

A full day at Island in the Sky works: sunrise at Mesa Arch, rim overlooks, then Dead Horse Point; base in Moab. We have mapped 5 sights, 1 activity and 2 outdoor spots here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Canyonlands with friendsBrowse 10 places
Canyonlands, Utah, United States
Places
10

5 See · 1 Do · 2 Outdoors · 1 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Utah Mighty Five

Best season
Mar – May

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

35°C / 96°F avg high

Coolest month
December

4°C / 40°F avg high

Wettest month
September

about 27 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Canyonlands

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Canyonlands in Island in the Sky. All 5 are free to visit.

  • Mesa Arch in CanyonlandsPhoto: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Mesa Arch

    Short walk to a cliff-edge arch that glows red at sunrise.

    Tip Arrive 45 min early for a spot; tripods crowd the arch.

    • Island in the Sky
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Sunrise
  • Island in the Sky Visitor Center in CanyonlandsPhoto: Kevin · Google
    See

    Island in the Sky Visitor Center

    Info, maps and ranger talks on the mesa-top district.

    Tip Fill water here; there is none further into the park.

    • Island in the Sky
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Morning
  • Shafer Canyon Overlook in CanyonlandsPhoto: Dana Plouck · Google
    See

    Shafer Canyon Overlook

    Look down on the switchbacks of the Shafer Trail dropping to the White Rim.

    Tip Only drive the Shafer Trail with high clearance and good conditions.

    • Island in the Sky
    • Free
    • 15 min
    • Morning
  • Grand View Point Overlook in CanyonlandsPhoto: Ivy T · Google
    See

    Grand View Point Overlook

    Southern tip of the mesa with a 100-mile view over canyons cut by the Green and Colorado rivers.

    Tip Walk the 2-mile rim trail out to the point.

    • Island in the Sky
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Late afternoon
  • Green River Overlook in CanyonlandsPhoto: Nikki Tangtiphongkul · Google
    See

    Green River Overlook

    Easy view over the winding Green River and the White Rim.

    Tip Good sunset spot with fewer people than Grand View.

    • Island in the Sky
    • Free
    • 20 min
    • Sunset

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Canyonlands in Moab.

  • NAVTEC Expeditions in CanyonlandsPhoto: James Black · Google
    Do

    NAVTEC Expeditions

    Moab outfitter running rafting and jet-boat trips on the Colorado River and Cataract Canyon.

    Tip Book Cataract Canyon trips well ahead.

    • Moab
    • $$$
    • 4 hr
    • May–Sep

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Canyonlands.

  • Upheaval Dome in CanyonlandsPhoto: Doc Searls from Santa Barbara, USA · CC BY 2.0
    Outdoors

    Upheaval Dome

    Short hike to a strange crater whose origin (salt dome or meteor) is still debated.

    Tip First overlook is 0.8 mile; the second adds a mile.

    • Island in the Sky
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Midday
  • Dead Horse Point State Park in CanyonlandsPhoto: Mike Nielsen · CC BY-SA 2.0
    Outdoors

    Dead Horse Point State Park

    Overlook 2,000 ft above a gooseneck bend of the Colorado River.

    Tip Separate state-park fee; great sunset.

    • Dead Horse Point
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Sunset

Eat

1 place to eat in Moab, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Moab Diner in CanyonlandsPhoto: Lars Hansen · Google
    Eat

    Moab Diner

    Retro diner on Main Street serving green chile, burgers and big breakfasts.

    Tip Order the green chile smothered breakfast burrito.

    • Moab
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Breakfast

Drink

1 bar or café in Moab for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Moab Coffee Roasters in CanyonlandsPhoto: Moab Coffee Roasters · Google
    Drink

    Moab Coffee Roasters

    Main Street coffee and gelato stop for an early start before the drive to the park.

    Tip Get coffee to go for the 30-mile drive.

    • Moab
    • $
    • 20 min
    • Early morning

How to fit Canyonlands into a trip

Canyonlands is stop 5 of 5 on our Utah Mighty Five route. Follow it as-is or lift Canyonlands into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Canyonlands month by month

Average daily highs run from 4°C / 40°F in December to 35°C / 96°F in July. September is the wettest month, with about 27 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Canyonlands weather and the best time to visit →

Near Canyonlands

8 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

Canyonlands questions, answered

How many days do you need in Canyonlands?

Our route notes suggest a full day in Canyonlands. On our Utah Mighty Five route it is stop 5 of 5 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 11 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Canyonlands best known for?

A full day at Island in the Sky works: sunrise at Mesa Arch, rim overlooks, then Dead Horse Point; base in Moab. Standouts on our list: Mesa Arch (Short walk to a cliff-edge arch that glows red at sunrise); Island in the Sky Visitor Center (Info, maps and ranger talks on the mesa-top district); Shafer Canyon Overlook (Look down on the switchbacks of the Shafer Trail dropping to the White Rim).

When is the best time to visit Canyonlands?

Our Utah Mighty Five route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (35°C / 96°F), the coolest in December (4°C / 40°F) and the most rain in September (about 27 mm).

What are the best things to do in Canyonlands?

Start with Mesa Arch, Island in the Sky Visitor Center, Shafer Canyon Overlook, Grand View Point Overlook and Upheaval Dome. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 5 sights, 1 activity, 2 outdoor spots, 1 place to eat and 1 bar or café.

What is near Canyonlands?

The closest destinations in our guides are Arches (about 52 km / 32 mi), Capitol Reef (about 121 km / 75 mi) and Bryce Canyon (about 218 km / 136 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Canyonlands with your crew

Open the Utah Mighty Five route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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