Hiking in Canyonlands National Park has something for everyone.
Whether you want a short, easy trail to a panoramic overlook or a multi-day backpacking adventure through the desert wilderness, you will definitely find what you’re looking for in Canyonlands!
My husband, sister, parents and I spent a week in Moab exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. We spent 3 of those days in Canyonlands, working our way through the best hikes, off-roading trails, and viewpoints in both sections of the park.
Canyonlands is a huge park and there is a lot to do here (and in the Moab area), so it can be hard to prioritize which hikes you want to do with your limited vacation time.
This post is all about the 15 best hikes in Canyonlands National Park. I’ve included hiking stats, trailhead locations, and my recommendations for the best trails to do with limited time.
Canyonlands National Park Overview
Canyonlands is a huge National Park and is divided up into 3 major sections: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and the Maze Districts.
Most people only visit the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park since it is closest to Moab and is home to the panoramic vistas over the Colorado Plateau. It is a peninsula that truly feels like an “island in the sky” due to the incredible vistas on both sides that follow the Colorado and Green Rivers to the point of confluence.
Most of the hikes here are short trails to viewpoints, but there are some opportunities to hike down below the Island in the Sky Mesa as well.
The Needles District is a bit more out of the way and lets you explore the “needles” formations more closely. You will find The Needles to be significantly less trafficked than Island in the Sky, as there are more backcountry 4×4 trails and hikes here. It will take you an hour and a half to drive to The Needles from Moab.
The Maze District is a very remote section of the park and is only accessed by 4×4. You must have a permit for all overnight visits and be prepared to be self-sufficient when visiting this district.
Related: 15 Can’t-Miss Things to Do at Canyonlands Island in the Sky District
Almost all of the hikes in Canyonlands National Park are located in the Island in the Sky and The Needles Districts. This post will focus on hikes in these two districts only.
The Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park
The best time to visit Canyonlands National Park is in the spring or fall. Temperatures in the Moab area are brutally hot in the summer, plus the parks will be swarmed with people once the kids are out of school.
In Utah, most hikes don’t have treecover to shade the trails, so you get full sun exposure most of the time. It’s important to prioritize hiking early or late in the day because of this.
October is another busy time to visit since you get all the fall breakers, but the weather is perfect. Canyonlands doesn’t get quite as many visitors as its neighbor, Arches, but still expect some crowds at the Island in the Sky District. You won’t experience any crowds in The Needles district.
We visited in the middle of October and had daily highs in the 80s for most of the week, but the morning and evening temperatures were perfect. Almost everyone we met in Moab was there for fall break.
Visiting Canyonlands in the winter can also be a magical time to visit, especially if you get lucky with a dusting of snow. Large amounts of snow are rare, so it’s unlikely that park roads would become impassable. Going in the winter means shorter days and colder temperatures, but also much lower crowds.
Related: 12 Incredible Things to Do in The Needles District in Canyonlands National Park
How Many Days Do You Need in Canyonlands National Park?
The time needed in Canyonlands National Park depends on what you like to do. You can visit the highlights in Island in the Sky and hike a few of the short trails in just one day.
I highly recommend reserving at least 1 day each at Island in the Sky and The Needles on your trip to Canyonlands National Park. Plan on spending these 2 days at a minimum, and then add one extra day for each long hike or off road trail you plan to do. You can easily spend 4-5 days in Canyonlands National Park and not run out of things to do.
We spent 2 days at Island in the Sky and 1 day in The Needles, and that was the perfect amount of time to see the highlights and hike most of the shorter trails. However, I wish we had another day in The Needles to hike one of the longer trails.
Fees & Passes Information
Admission to Canyonlands National Park costs $30 per vehicle and is good for 7 days, unless you have the America the Beautiful National Park Pass. This pass will get you into Island in the Sky and The Needles District.
If you plan to visit 3 or more National Parks or Monuments on your trip to Utah (or within one year), getting the America the Beautiful National Park Pass will save you money vs. paying the separate fees at each park. It costs $80 and you must order ahead of time as they will ship you a physical pass.
Related: Arches National Park Itinerary: How to Spend 1, 2, or 3 Days in Arches
15 Best Hikes in Canyonlands National Park
I’ve divided this list of hikes in Canyonlands into two sections: hikes in Island in the Sky and hikes in The Needles.
Depending on which area of the park you plan to visit, I find it easier to look at the list of trails by district to help you plan your time.
We had unseasonably hot weather on our October trip to Moab, so we unfortunately didn’t get to some of the longer hikes in Canyonlands. It was just too hot to hike midday, so we had to change our plans a bit.
Just another excuse to come back to Moab and update this post in the future!
Best Hikes in Island in the Sky
Most of the hikes in Island in the Sky are short, easy trails to incredible panoramic viewpoints over the Island in the Sky Mesa. Since these are short and easy trails, you can do most of them in just one day.
There are also a handful of longer, more strenuous hikes that go below the mesa. Most visitors don’t bother with these trails or don’t have time to hike them, so they are a great way to ditch the crowds and explore the park further.
I’ve included all of these hikes in the list below.
1. Grand View Point
Length: 1.8 miles
Elevation gain: 164 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: easy
Time: 1 hour
The Grand View Point trail is a short, 1.8-mile, out-and-back trail along the rim of the Island in the Sky Mesa with incredible panoramic views of The Maze District, The Needles District, and the White Rim Road. The trail is relatively flat and follows the edge of the mesa where you can see sweeping views of the canyons and rock formations.
The trail takes you to two different viewpoints. Grand View Point is the first one and it is a wonderful view of a canyon that looks like a giant dinosaur footprint.
The second viewpoint is the Grand View Point Overlook located at the very end of the trail where you get an almost 360-degree view of the scenery.
This hike was one of our favorites in Canyonlands National Park. It’s short, sweet, and the views are just stunning.
We hiked this trail shortly after sunrise, so the photos are a little washed out because the sun was still low in the sky since we were looking east. I’d recommend hiking this trail later in the afternoon or at sunset for the best lighting.
2. White Rim Overlook
Length: 1.8 miles
Elevation gain: 173 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: easy
Time: 1 hour
The White Rim Overlook Trail is similar in distance and views as the Grand View Point Trail in that it is a short, 1.8-mile walk to a viewpoint overlooking the White Rim.
The White Rim Overlook Trail is slightly less strenuous than the Grand View Overlook Trail because it doesn’t follow the rim as closely. If you don’t like heights, you might want to hike this trail instead of the Grand View Point Trail.
Parking at the White Rim Overlook Trail is extremely limited and easy to miss. The viewpoint also faces east, so you will have similar photography challenges if you visit here in the morning or midday.
Visiting in the late afternoon is a great time because the lighting will be great for photos and you’ll have a better chance at finding parking once most visitors have left for the day.
3. Mesa Arch
Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation gain: 77 feet
Type: loop
Difficulty: easy
Time: 30 minutes
Seeing the sun rise at Mesa Arch was by far my favorite experience in Canyonlands National Park.
You’ll take an easy, 0.7-mile trail to a natural arch that has formed on the edge of the Island in the Sky mesa and frames the canyon below. You’ll also be able to see the La Sal Mountains off in the distance.
You need to do this hike at sunrise. As the sun rises, the bottom of the arch glows red and it makes for an incredible photography opportunity. You can also catch the sunbeam through the arch as the sun rises over the horizon.
Prepare to see lots of people here at sunrise, as it’s a very popular photography location. The view is worth braving the crowds, trust me!
4. Upheaval Dome
Length: 1.3 miles
Elevation gain: 226 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: easy
Time: 1 hour
The Upheaval Dome Trail is one of the most unique hikes in Canyonlands National Park.
It is a giant crater that remains a bit of a mystery as to how it formed. The two leading theories are a salt dome collapse or a meteorite.
Recent research supports the meteorite theory, but lots of questions remain about its formation.
You can see the Upheaval Dome for yourself via the short, quick hike to two different viewpoints along the rim of the crater.
We were fascinated by how different this area of Canyonlands was compared to the panoramic views off of the Island in the Sky mesa. The pink, green, and grey colors are very unique!
5. Whale Rock
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation gain: 131 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: easy
Time: 30 minutes
Whale Rock is a giant sandstone dome that looks like, well, a whale. It’s located in the same area of the park as the Upheaval Dome Trail.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb up to the top via a short, steep, hiking trail. You will see sweeping views over the Island in the Sky District from the top.
We unfortunately skipped this trail because we were running out of time and instead hiked the Upheaval Dome Trail.
Based on my research, the Upheaval Dome seemed like the more interesting trail to us. If you have time, hike both and let me know in the comments below which one you liked better!
6. Syncline Loop
Length: 7.9 miles
Elevation gain: 1601 feet
Type: loop
Difficulty: strenuous
Time: 4-6 hours
The Syncline Loop is a challenging hike that circles the Upheaval Dome.
You will need to practice your route-finding skills on this hike as it’s a primitive trail and not well marked. There are sections where you have to rock scramble and go up and down very steep terrain.
We didn’t have time to complete this hike and it looks like the reviews are mixed. Some say there are incredible views and others say they are lackluster.
I will say that you will not get a good view of the Upheaval Dome once you get past the Upheaval Dome viewpoints. So don’t hike this trail if you are wanting different views of the dome!
7. Gooseberry Trail
Length: 4.2 miles
Elevation gain: 1548 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: strenuous
Time: 4 hours
The Gooseberry Trail is the steepest hike in Canyonlands National Park. You will descend over 1000 feet in less than a mile!
You’ll hike down below the Island in the Sky mesa to the White Rim where you can enjoy the views from down below. Since most people just view the scenery from on top of the Island in the Sky mesa, hiking this trail will give you a different perspective without the crowds.
The beginning of the Gooseberry Trail is shared with the White Rim Overlook Trail, so it is easy to do both at the same time. If you’re up for a challenge, this is a great way to spend half a day in Canyonlands National Park!
Note: I’ve read reviews that say hiking poles are helpful for this trail since it’s so steep, especially for the way down.
8. Murphy Loop
Length: 10.1 miles
Elevation gain: 1614 feet
Type: loop
Difficulty: strenuous
Time: 5-7 hours
The Murphy Loop is another strenuous, full-day or overnight hike in Canyonlands National Park. You will hike through the Murphy Hogback to the White Rim and then back out via the Murphy Wash in a lollipop loop.
The NPS recommends hiking this trail counter-clockwise and doing the Murphy Hogback portion first.
You can do this trail as a strenuous day hike, or as an overnight backpacking trip. Overnight trips in Canyonlands require a permit, and they can be quite competitive. More information on permits can be found on the NPS website here.
And if you’re looking for an easier hike along this trail, hike to Murphy Point and then turn around. Your total hiking distance will be 3.4 miles and relatively flat instead of the 10.1 miles by doing the whole loop.
Best Hikes in The Needles
Hiking in The Needles feels dramatically different from Island in the Sky. There are a few short, easy trails here, but the best hiking is found in the wide array of backcountry hiking trails located deep within the district.
We only had one day to spend here, so we barely scratched the surface of the incredible things to see. It definitely inspired me to come back and plan a backpacking trip in the future though!
9. Slickrock Foot Trail
Length: 2.7 miles
Elevation gain: 283 feet
Type: loop
Difficulty: easy
Time: 1-2 hours
The Slickrock Foot Trail was my favorite thing we did in The Needles. It’s a relatively short loop trail with some incredible scenery of canyons, rock formations (doesn’t the photo above look like a pancake?), and a good viewpoint of the needles formations.
You will hike on top of some slickrock to 3 different viewpoints. There are also some opportunities to rock-scramble off-trail for an added adventure.
We had so much fun on this trail taking pictures and enjoying the unique scenery. Plus we almost had the trail all to ourselves!
If you only have time for one hike in The Needles and don’t want anything too strenuous, I highly recommend the Slickrock Foot Trail.
10. Pothole Point
Length: 0.5 miles
Elevation gain: negligible
Type: loop
Difficulty: easy
Time: 30 minutes
The Pothole Point Trail is a short, easy trail on top of some slickrock with numerous “potholes.”
These are indentations in the rock that have been caused by downward water erosion. When it rains, they fill with water and are home to various species of snails, shrimp, and other microorganisms. They were bone-dry in October when we visited, but I imagine they are more likely to be filled with water in the spring when it rains more frequently.
You’ll also get a view of The Needles from this trail, but we thought the scenery was much better from the Slickrock Foot Trail.
It was fun wandering around on this trail, though. There are some large boulders that are fun to climb around on. Kids will love it!
11. Cave Spring
Length: 0.6 miles
Elevation gain: 59 feet
Type: loop
Difficulty: easy
Time: 30 minutes
This short little trail was so much fun! You’ll hike a short loop to a historic cowboy camp, see the “cave spring,” climb up some iron ladders, and then hike up on top of the slickrock cave spring to complete the loop.
Slickrock is very porous, so water seeps through the rock when it rains until it finally exits. The rock overhang at the cave spring is one of those rare spots where water seeps out and is protected from the sun, so certain species of plant life grows on the walls.
This is also one of the few trails that has shade, which was a welcome surprise on our 85-degree day!
12. Roadside Ruin
Length: 0.3 miles
Elevation gain: negligible
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: easy
Time: 15 minutes
The Roadside Ruin is a short trail to an ancestral puebloan dwelling that was used to store food and supplies over 800 years ago.
The trail is straightforward and easy to follow. You might also see this trail being called “stone storehouse.”
13. Chesler Park Viewpoint
Length: 5.4 miles
Elevation gain: 1151 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: strenuous
Time: 3-4 hours
Chesler Park is consistently rated the top trail in The Needles. If you want to get up close with the incredible needles rock formations, this is the trail to do.
The Chesler Park Viewpoint leads you to a stunning viewpoint of the sandstone needles formations. You can also continue from this viewpoint onto the Chesler Park Loop Trail (more info on this trail below).
This trail has some rock scrambling and lots of ups and downs. You’ll also get to hike through some slot canyons.
The trailhead is located at the Elephant Hill Trailhead and requires driving down a dirt road for a few miles to get here (you will be fine in any vehicle, though).
We originally planned to hike to the Chesler Park Viewpoint, but we had unseasonably hot weather on our trip and decided against it. After hiking the Slickrock Trail in the morning, it was just too hot to continue hiking and be enjoyable. If I could do it again, I probably would have hiked this trail first thing in the morning or reserved another day to spend in The Needles.
14. Chesler Park Loop
Length: 10.2 miles
Elevation gain: 1794 feet
Type: loop
Difficulty: strenuous
Time: 5-7 hours
The Chesler Park Loop Trail spurs off of the Chesler Park Viewpoint Trail and forms a loop that gets you up close and personal with the needles rock formations as you weave your way through them.
The grassland located behind the loop trail is known as Chesler Park. Hiking all the way out here does require a lot of effort, though.
I think the best way to experience The Needles district is on an overnight backpacking trip. That way, you can break up your hiking and still get to experience the best part of the park.
You will need a permit for any overnight trip in the park. Information on permits and backpacking in Canyonlands National Park can be found on the NPS website here.
15. Druid Arch
Length: 9.7 miles
Elevation gain: 1446 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: strenuous
Time: 5-7 hours
Druid Arch is a massive, angular arch located deep within The Needles District.
Most of this trail is shared with the Chesler Park trails, and then you’ll spur off left about halfway around the Chesler Park Loop.
You can also combine the Chesler Park Loop with the Druid Arch Trail for an extremely strenuous day hike or as a backpacking trip. Doing the hike this way results in 14 miles with just over 2500 feet of elevation gain.
There are multiple backcountry campsites in this part of The Needles, so a backpacking trip would be the ultimate adventure!
Best Hikes in Canyonlands With Limited Time
There is a lot to do and see in Moab, Utah, so prioritizing your hikes can be difficult!
My advice is to prioritize doing the shorter hikes in each district first. You shouldn’t miss some of the best, most accessible views on your visit to Canyonlands.
Plan to spend one day in both districts to see the highlights and then give yourself another day or two for a longer hike or backpacking trip.
Best hikes to do in Island in the Sky with 1 day:
- Grand View Point and/or White Rim Overlook
- Mesa Arch
- Upheaval Dome
- Whale Rock
Best hikes to do in The Needles with 1 day:
- Slickrock Foot Trail or Chesler Park Viewpoint
- Cave Spring
- Pothole Point
- Roadside Ruin
And if you have an additional day to do one long hike, I would hike the Chesler Park Loop in The Needles.
I hope this post helped you plan your Moab trip and prioritize the best hikes in Canyonlands National Park! Let me know which trail(s) you plan to do in the comments below!
-Megan
More Information on Utah
MORE ON CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK: Check out 15 can’t-miss things to do in Island in the Sky, the 12 best things to do in The Needles, or drive the Shafer Canyon-Potash Road Loop.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK: Explore over 2000 sandstone arches in this incredible National Park that neighbors Canyonlands. Check out my guide to the best things to do in Arches National Park or how to spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Arches National Park.
DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK: This state park provides an incredible panoramic vista over the Colorado River, and it’s on your way to Canyonlands Island in the Sky District.
CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK: Visit Utah’s most underrated National Park located just 2 hours west of Moab. Check out my 1-3 day Capitol Reef itinerary, the top things to do in Capitol Reef, and the best hikes in Capitol Reef.
HANKSVILLE, UTAH: Hanksville is a tiny town between Capitol Reef and Moab that is near some otherworldly landscapes. Here’s how to visit Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook, hike to the Long Dong Silver Spire, or explore Goblin Valley State Park for sandstone hoodoo rock formations.
GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT: Nestled on one of the most scenic highways in the US, Grand Staircase is a massive National Monument that is home to incredible waterfalls, slot canyons, and remote outdoor adventures. It typically gets overshadowed by the Mighty 5 National Parks, but it is just as impressive.
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK: Bryce is a compact park, so you can thoroughly explore the hoodoos in just one day.
ZION NATIONAL PARK: Visit Utah’s most popular National Park. Hike the famous Angel’s Landing, the Narrows, and do the scenic drive. Zion is still on my list of parks to visit, and is currently experiencing lots of overcrowding issues. I plan to visit during the off season when we get a chance!
