Get the app

Sight Island in the Sky, Canyonlands

Shafer Canyon Overlook

A sight in Island in the Sky, Canyonlands, free to visit and worth about 15 minutes. Best time to go: Morning.

Open in Google Maps Apple Maps
Shafer Canyon Overlook in Island in the Sky, Canyonlands
Photo: Dana Plouck · Google

Why go

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

It is one of 10 curated places we feature in Canyonlands, alongside 4 sights, 2 outdoor spots and 1 activity. The closest of our other picks is Island in the Sky Visitor Center, 0.5 mi away as the crow flies. At about 15 minutes, it slots neatly between bigger plans.

Type
Sight
Neighborhood
Island in the Sky
Price
Free
Time needed
15 min
Best time
Morning

Nearby

The 6 closest curated picks in Canyonlands, measured as straight-line distance.

  1. 1
    Island in the Sky Visitor Center

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

    Sight · 0.5 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Mesa Arch

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

    Sight · 5.1 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Dead Horse Point State Park

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

    Outdoors · 6.1 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Upheaval Dome

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

    Outdoors · 6.3 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Green River Overlook

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

    Sight · 6.4 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Grand View Point Overlook

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

    Sight · 11 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Shafer Canyon Overlook is a stop on our Utah Mighty Five route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Canyonlands

Shafer Canyon Overlook is our only sight pick in Canyonlands; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Canyonlands guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Canyonlands run from 40°F in December to 96°F in July; September is usually the wettest month. For Shafer Canyon Overlook itself, we suggest: Morning.

Modelled monthly averages for Canyonlands from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Canyonlands weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Shafer Canyon Overlook, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
Shafer Canyon Overlook Trl, Utah 84532, USA
Coordinates
38.45274, -109.81909
Destination
Canyonlands, Utah

Shafer Canyon Overlook: quick answers

How much time do you need at Shafer Canyon Overlook?

Plan on about 15 minutes at Shafer Canyon Overlook. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Shafer Canyon Overlook?

Our pick: Morning. Insider tip: Only drive the Shafer Trail with high clearance and good conditions.

Is Shafer Canyon Overlook free?

Yes, we list Shafer Canyon Overlook as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Where is Shafer Canyon Overlook?

Shafer Canyon Overlook is at Shafer Canyon Overlook Trl, Utah 84532, USA, in Island in the Sky. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Shafer Canyon Overlook?

Shafer Canyon Overlook appears on Utah Mighty Five, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Shafer Canyon Overlook to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Canyonlands.

Get TripsCircle

Plan Canyonlands

Lists & regions

Also in Canyonlands

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.