Hiking at Canyonlands

Careful planning helps you have a safe, enjoyable hike.

NPS/Veronica Verdin

Canyonlands has hundreds of miles of hiking trails which explore the park’s natural and cultural features. Both Island in the Sky and The Needles provide ample opportunities for short walks, day hikes and backpacking trips. Due to its remoteness, The Maze is primarily a backpacking destination.

Trails are usually marked with cairns (small rock piles) and may have signs at intersections. Many remote trails do not receive regular maintenance and may not be adequately marked. All backcountry hikers should carry a topographic map.

Island in the Sky Trails

Several short trails explore the mesa top with minimal elevation change, enjoying canyon views from above. Moderate trails involve elevation, such as climbing a sandstone feature or descending partway into a canyon. Long trails at Island in the Sky begin on the mesa top and descend via switchbacks to the White Rim bench, or beyond to one of the rivers. All are considered strenuous, with an elevation change of 1,000-2,000 feet (300-600 m) and require negotiating steep slopes of loose rock as well as sections of deep sand.

All trails are marked with cairns (small rock piles). Water is scarce; bring at least 1 quart (1 L) of water per person for short trails, and up to 1 gallon (4 L) for long trails. Avoid hiking during peak heat on summer days. Carry a flashlight, map, and basic first aid equipment.

Download maps here.

The Needles Trails

The Needles offers over 60 miles of interconnecting trails as challenging as they are rewarding. Many different itineraries are possible, but some of the more popular ones are listed below.

Four short, self-guided trails along the paved scenic drive highlight different aspects of the park's natural and cultural history. Surfaces can be uneven. Trail guides are available at the visitor center and at the trailheads.

Conditions of other trails are more primitive, traversing a mixture of slickrock benches and sandy washes. Longer trails are especially rough and require negotiating steep passes with drop-offs, narrow spots, or ladders. Water in the backcountry is unreliable and scarce in some areas. Trails are marked with cairns (small rock piles). Although most trails can be hiked in a day by strong hikers, many form loops and may be combined with other trails for longer trips. Net elevation change is generally several hundred feet or less, except for the Lower Red Lake Trail, which drops 1,400 feet to the Colorado River.

Download maps here.

The Maze Trails

Horseshoe Canyon is a popular hiking destination in The Maze. Because of the remoteness of The Maze, most other trails are best for overnight trips. Read about backpacking.

Download maps here.

 

Planning an overnight trip? Read about backpacking.

Protect Yourself

Are you prepared for your next visit to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks? Each year, park rangers respond to hundreds of search and rescue incidents (SARs). It can take hours to locate and extract injured individuals. We want your trip to Canyonlands to be safe and enjoyable. Below are some of the potential hazards you may experience during your visit. Please become familiar with them, and keep them in mind while you're here.

 

 

 

NPS Graphic / Veronica Verdin

Heat and Sun

During the summer, expect high temperatures, intense sunlight and low humidity. Eat plenty of food and drink at least one gallon (4 L) of water each day. Carry and drink water while you are engaged in any activity in the park, such as hiking. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin. Consider saving strenuous activity for early mornings or evenings. Read more about weather conditions.

Water

Hydration is essential in the desert, even in winter. Drink 1 gallon (4 L) of water per day. Water filling stations are limited in the park. Here's where you can find drinking water:

• Island in the Sky Visitor Center - year-round

• The Needles Visitor Center - year-round
• The Needles Campground - spring through fall

There is no drinking water at the Island in the Sky campground or anywhere at The Maze. Plan on bringing your own water or filtering water in the backcountry.

Area Services

Canyonlands is an isolated and rugged environment. You may have to drive more than 50 miles (80 km) to find food, gas, lodging, or medical facilities, particularly from The Needles or The Maze. Make sure you have plenty of fuel before driving to Canyonlands. Do not rely on cellular telephones; there are many areas where they will not work.

Climbing and Scrambling

Be careful near cliff edges, especially when conditions are wet or icy. Avoid loose rock when traversing slopes, and remember that slickrock is much easier to climb up than down.

Staying Found

Stay with companions while hiking; separation can mean getting lost. Do not count on a cellular phone to summon help; service will not reach into many areas of Canyonlands. If you become lost, stay where you are, and wait for rescue. Wandering will endanger your life and make finding you difficult. When traveling alone, always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Do not rely on GPS units to guide you into the park.

Wildlife

Wild animals often carry deadly diseases, including hantavirus, bubonic plague and rabies. They may become aggressive without warning. Always view wildlife from the safety of your car or from a distance. Do not approach animals to take photographs, and teach children not to chase or pick up animals.

A few venomous animals live in the park, including midget-faded rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widow spiders. It's unlikely that you'll see these animals. If you do, they will generally flee when approached. While a scorpion sting is likely to be mild (like a bee sting), anyone bitten by a black widow spider or rattlesnake should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Black bears are known to wander into the park from the Abajo Mountains, which border The Needles district. They have been sighted in Salt Creek Canyon and many neighboring canyons, as well as along the Colorado River. Backpackers in some of these areas may need bear canisters.

Lightning and Flash Floods

Storms and flash floods can be powerful and sudden. When lightning is present, there is no safe place outside. Return to your vehicle, or get indoors. If you can't get indoors, avoid lone trees, cliff edges, and high ridges. Crouch low to the ground. Never try to cross a wash that is flooding.

Winter Travel

Winter temperatures can drop well below freezing. Hypothermia is a hazard in late fall, winter and early spring. When hiking during these times, carry extra layers of clothing, foul-weather gear and a flashlight. Be prepared to spend the night out if necessary. Even a few inches of snow can hide cairns and trails, or make slickrock areas impassable. Read more about visiting in winter.

Protect Your Park 

Cultural Resources
Disturbing, entering or camping within 300 feet of an archeological or historical site is prohibited. Collecting artifacts is prohibited. Learn how to be a good visitor at archeological sites.

Natural Resources
Disturbing or collecting natural features (plants, rocks, etc.) is prohibited.

Pets
Activities with pets are very limited in the park. Pets may accompany visitors in the developed campgrounds and on paved scenic drives, but must be leashed at all times when outside a vehicle. Pets are not allowed on any hiking trails, at overlooks, or in the backcountry, even on a boat or in a vehicle.Read more about pets at Canyonlands

Rock Scratches = Graffiti
Even though graffiti is prohibited by law, rangers and volunteer groups spend hundreds of hours every year removing it in Canyonlands. Please join us in protecting the park by not leaving your mark. If you discover graffiti in the park, please let a ranger know. Otherwise, make memories, take pictures, but leave no visible trace of your visit.

Unmanned Aircraft (Drones)
The use of unmanned aircraft is prohibited to protect public safety, minimize visitor-use conflicts, and prevent unacceptable impacts to scenic values, natural soundscapes, and wildlife. Superintendent's determination on unmanned aircraft

Walking on Arches
To promote visitor safety and provide the opportunity to view natural features undisturbed, climbing, scrambling, walking on or rappelling off any named and unnamed arch with an opening greater than three feet is prohibited in the park. Superintendent's Determination

 

Details

Activity

Hiking

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Reservations

No

Accessibility Information

Canyonlands National Park has several areas that are accessible for people with physical or mobility disabilities. Some districts are more accessible than others. The road at Island in the Sky passes many accessible viewpoints and facilities. The other districts have limited accessible facilities. See lists below.

Trails
Canyonlands' trails may have steep and rocky surfaces with uneven slopes and loose sand or gravel.

Wilderness
Eighty-six percent of Canyonlands National Park is recommended wilderness and is managed as federally designated Wilderness. While mechanized forms of travel like wheeled vehicles are prohibited off park roads, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows you to use a wheelchair on trails if your disability requires use of a wheelchair. Wheelchairs must be suitable for indoor use in a pedestrian area.

Island in the Sky

Visitor Center

• Entrance: The front door does not have a push button opener.
• Parking: Accessible parking is available. The parking lot is paved.
• Toilets, water fountains: All toilets are wheelchair accessible. An accessible water fountain is inside the visitor center.
• Seating: Benches are located inside the visitor center and outdoors on the front patio.
• Pay phone: Pay phones are available in the visitor center parking area.
• Exhibits: Exhibits and the visitor center desk are structured to be accessible from a wheelchair.
• Routes: A slight ramp leads to the front door of the visitor center.
• Picnic tables: Picnic tables outside the visitor center are accessible to wheelchairs. Sidewalks are paved.

These overlooks at Island in the Sky are accessible for people using a wheelchair.

• Buck Canyon Overlook
• Green River Overlook
• Grand View Point Overlook

All toilets at Island in the Sky are accessible.

The Needles

Visitor Center

• Entrance: The front door does not have a push button opener.
• Parking: Accessible parking is available. The parking lot is paved.
• Bathrooms, water fountains: Bathrooms are wheelchair accessible. An accessible water fountain is near the bathrooms.
• Seating: Benches are located inside the visitor center and outdoors on the front patio.
• Pay phone: Pay phones are available in the visitor center parking area. You will need a calling card; the phone does not accept credit cards or coins.
• Exhibits: Exhibits and the visitor center desk are structured to be accessible from a wheelchair.
• Picnic tables: Picnic tables outside the visitor center are accessible to wheelchairs. Sidewalks are paved.

These facilities at The Needles are accessible for people using a wheelchair.

• Wooden Shoe Overlook
• All toilets in The Needles district

All trails in The Needles district have rocky, uneven surfaces, steep slopes, and some drop-offs.

The Maze

Hans Flat Ranger Station

• Entrance: The front door does not have a push button opener. The ranger station has a wooden ramp that leads to the door. The approach to the visitor center is gravel.
• Parking: The parking area is gravel.
• Toilets: There is an accessible pit toilet at the ranger station. The surface approaching the toilet is gravel.
• Water: There is no running water at the ranger station or anywhere in The Maze district.
• Pay phones: There are no pay phones at ranger station or anywhere in The Maze district.

Trails in The Maze district have rocky, uneven surfaces, steep slopes, and drop-offs. No trails are accessible. Read more about hiking and backpacking at The Maze.