• Spires of Cedar Mesa sandstone in Chesler Park (Needles District)

    Canyonlands

    National Park Utah

White Rim Sandstone

photo: the White Rim Sandstone frames the inner canyon of the Green River below Green River Overlook.
The White Rim Sandstone frames the inner canyon of the Green River below Green River Overlook.
NPS Photo by Neal Herbert
 

Deposited
Permian Period (245 to 286 million years ago)

Depositional Environment
Wind-blown beach sands

Appearance
White, cross-bedded sandstones forming cliffs and caprocks

Examples
White canyon rim marking the inner gorge of the Colorado and Green rivers at the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands.

Did You Know?

Biological Soil Crust

The dirt is alive! A living crust called "Biological Soil Crust" covers much of Canyonlands and the surrounding area. Composed of algae, lichens and bacteria, this crust provides a secure foundation for desert plants. Please stay on roads and trails to avoid trampling this important resource. More...