This park across town from Arches is massive. It’s hard to appreciate the sheer scale until you’re standing on the edge of a canyon and staring out into all the emptiness. Divided into four distinct districts, Canyonlands requires multiple visits if you want to conquer the park in its entirety.
What are those four park districts, you ask? Island in the Sky, Needles, The Maze, and the rivers running through the canyons. During our day in the park, we stayed in the Island in the Sky district. This section is the most accessible from Moab, recommended for first-time visitors, and makes for a great day trip. For context – it takes over two hours to get to Needles from Island in the Sky. You also can’t even get to The Maze without a high-clearance vehicle and plenty of time on your hands; the National Park Service states that most visitors spend at least three days in this section of the park due to its remoteness. If you feel like really getting off the grid and have the resources needed to visit these further away sections, do your research and go for it. If you’re like us and have either limited time or a car that can’t handle backcountry roads, then you may be better off sticking to Island in the Sky.
It’s worth saying again, though, that the Island in the Sky district is absolutely awesome. There are arches, awe-inspiring viewpoints, and exciting hikes that take you down to the floor of the canyon. We think you’ll love this part of the park just as much as we did.
Hikes to Do
- Mesa Arch Trail: This short, easy trail ends at the beautiful Mesa Arch, which frames the canyon and offers some incredible views at sunrise. You’ll likely encounter some crowds at the viewpoint, as hikers of all ages and fitness levels are drawn to the prospect of a hike that is less than a mile and has almost no elevation gain. Going early will improve your chances of avoiding crowds and getting that photo of your dreams.
- Murphy Trail: This trail is by no means short and easy. Instead, get ready for a challenging hike down into the canyon that can pretty much keep going as long as you can (up to 10 miles round trip). Remember that what goes down must come back up, so the brunt of your exertion will occur in the second half of your hike. Depending on the weather, this trail can also get seriously windy. We almost turned around because we were concerned the gusts would make us lose our footing on the switchbacks down the side of the canyon. Thankfully, we kept pushing forward, and we were greeted with some incredible views once we made it down to the plateaus above the canyon’s floor. Looking back up the cliffs also makes you realize why this district is named Island in the Sky. Even if you get a very early start, you’ll be exposed to the sun for much of this hike, so be sure to dress appropriately, pack water, and wear plenty of sunscreen.
Viewpoints to See
If you have some time on your hands after hiking, it is well worth stopping at a few viewpoints before leaving the park. Without a doubt, Grand View Point is the highlight, as you get sweeping panoramic views of the canyon beneath you. We also recommend stopping at Green River Overlook and Buck Canyon Overlook. Both are quick pullouts right off the road, and they provide some different perspectives of the canyon and rivers.
Other Tips & Tricks
- Where to Stay: Generally speaking, Moab is the place to be if you’re going to visit Island in the Sky. The exception might be if you intend to hike to Mesa Arch at sunrise. It is just under an hour to the trailhead from the city center, and that kind of drive just isn’t fun at 5:00am. Consider camping at or near the park if you want that early start. Otherwise, enjoy the wide selection of hotels and Airbnb rentals in Moab. We loved the house we rented just south of town, and we highly encourage you to consider an Airbnb if you’ll be visiting Moab with a group.
- Dead Horse Point State Park: Don’t let the depressing name scare you away. This state park offers an incredible view of the Colorado River winding through the canyon, and you’ll drive right past the entrance on your way to Island in the Sky. It is well worth the stop and entrance fee. If you’re feeling up to it, you can also do a relaxing hike around the canyon rim at this park.
- Where to Eat: (This section will look familiar if you’ve read our post on Arches National Park). The food in Moab genuinely impressed us. Maybe it was because we expected slim pickings after visiting the tourist towns outside of Zion and the Grand Canyon … or maybe it was because we would have eaten anything after a long day of hiking. Regardless, we really enjoyed the food. Antica Forma had delicious pizza and salads, and El Charro Loco had hearty portions of solid Mexican food. For dessert, you also can’t go wrong grabbing a milkshake from Milt’s Stop & Eat. (Choose two flavors and get them mixed; you’ll thank us later.) If you need some coffee or breakfast to get your day started, visit the Red Rock Bakery and Cafe. The shop owner is incredibly friendly, and you can help yourself to some bread end pieces from the back of the store to accompany your order.
- Arches National Park: This probably goes without saying, but don’t come to the Moab region and not visit Arches. We absolutely love that park, and it is even closer to town than Canyonlands.
Happy traveling!
Kitrina & Jordan
