National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Canyonlands National ParkMesa Arch
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Canyonlands National Park
Suggested Activities at the Island
 
photo: Overlook talk at Grand View Point
NPS Photo by Neal Herbert
Overlook talk at Grand View Point
 

1 Hour
Drive to Grand View Point and enjoy a broad view of the entire park. If time permits, visit Buck or Shafer Canyon overlooks along the way.

2 Hours
Visit Grand View Point, Upheaval Dome (1 mile hike to rim and back) and Green River overlooks. Hike the .5 mile loop nature trail to Mesa Arch.

Half day
Visit all of the above and enjoy many of the other short, mesa top nature trails to features like Whale Rock or Aztec Butte. Attend a ranger-led program at Grand View Point (overlook talks are usually given twice daily). Visitors with four-wheel-drive may consider returning to Moab via the Shafer Trail and Potash roads.

Full day
Hike several of the mesa top trails or one of the longer trails like Syncline or Murphy loops. With four-wheel-drive, explore the White Rim Road as far as Musselman Arch or travel to the Colorado River via Lathrop.

Many days
Use the Willow Flat Campground as a base camp and explore the district on foot or in a vehicle. Backpack into Taylor Canyon for a night, or to the Colorado River via Lathrop Canyon. Consider a multi-day, four-wheel-drive or mountain bike trip along the White Rim Road (reservations recommended).

Need a Map?
Need a Map?
Maps of each district as well as the entire park are available.
more...
Brochures
Brochures
Download our park newspaper, trip planner and brochures on a variety of topics.
more...
Upheaval Dome  

Did You Know?
Upheaval Dome contains rock layers unlike any in the surrounding area. Scientists still debate whether this oddity is the remnant of a meteorite impact or a salt dome.
more...

Last Updated: July 20, 2006 at 11:32 EST