Be prepared for sensory overload when driving through Canyonlands National Park. Whether you explore just one district of the Park or all four, you will take in mind blowing landscapes that are baffling to comprehend. You won’t believe the number of times the inside of your car will echo with these phrases, “simply amazing”, “incredible!” and “How is that possible?”
Unless you’re planning to drive through the park for several days, you’ll likely want to pick one district of the park where you can focus your attention. Here’s a quick description of each to help you decide.
Island in the Sky
This towering mesa section of the Park, is aptly named. Sheer cliffs and steep drop offs make for inspiring panoramic views. Due to its paved roads, close proximity to Arches National Park and the town of Moab, Island in the Sky is the most popular and accessible area of Canyonlands National Park.
Needles
The Needles district is home to a garden of colorful sandstone spires shooting up from the desert floor. Needles is famous for it challenging 4x4 trails, endless backpacking trails, hidden arches, and petroglyphs and pictographs which date back to the indigenous people of Moab.
The Maze
The Maze is the most remote and least accessible district of Canyonlands National Park. The maze district is a siren call to visitors looking for Solitude in an unfathomable redrock wilderness. Travel to the Maze requires a greater commitment of time, typically three to seven days, and a good degree of self sufficiency and competence in a rugged environment.
The River
With so many ways to recreate within Canyonlands National Park, one of the most sought after is rafting. The Colorado River, through Canyonlands National Park, offers pristine and tranquil flat water sections, as well as some of the country’s most taunting and tumultuous whitewater rapids. The incongruencies of Colorado river, powerful enough to cut through canyons,so nurturing Great Blue Herons, Canyon Wrens, river otter and even people frolic in its waters and bask along it’s shores, has enticed humankind for centuries.
Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details Duration:8 minutes, 11 secondsThis film will help you prepare for your backcountry technical four wheel drive trip at Canyonlands National Park. Helpful tips and advice provided in this video will help you plan your trip and Leave No Trace while out in these pristine areas. Unpaved RoadsThere are hundreds of miles of unpaved roads in Canyonlands, providing access to various campsites, trailheads, and viewpoints in the park's backcountry. Most roads require high-clearance, low range four-wheel-drive. These roads range in difficulty from intermediate to extremely technical. Research your route thoroughly before attempting these roads.
If you plan to enjoy the park's four-wheel-drive roads, please be aware of the following:
Do I need a permit?
Rental Vehicles Most vehicle rental agreements restrict vehicles to paved roads. Check your contract and be aware that the rental company can charge you for damage to the vehicle outside of the contract agreement specifications. Towing Charges Drive carefully! Towing charges are very expensive. People caught in the backcountry of Canyonlands with disabled vehicles can expect towing fees in excess of $2,000. AAA and other towing insurance may not be valid on backcountry dirt roads. |
Last updated: April 30, 2022