Canyonlands National Park

Designation: National Park

Location: Utah

📘 Park Overview

Canyonlands invites you to explore a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. These areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, but each offers different opportunities for sightseeing and adventure.

🌤 Weather Information

Canyonlands is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F.

🚗 Directions

Canyonlands National Park is cut into three land districts by the Green and Colorado rivers. Island in the Sky, in the north of the park, is about 40 minutes from Moab, UT via UT 313. The Needles district is in the southeast corner of Canyonlands, about 90 minutes from Moab or an hour from Monticello, UT via UT 211. The Maze district, in the west of the park, is the most remote and challenging; its ranger station is down 46 miles of dirt road from UT 24. All roads in The Maze require high-clearance 4WD.

Images

a broad stone arch with rock pinnacles in the distance

Mesa Arch, at Island in the Sky, is a great spot for photographers.

Credit: NPS/Neal Herbert

shallow pools with a double rainbow in the background

Pothole Point Trail

Credit: NPS/Neal Herbert

The Maze is the most remote district of the park. Visiting requires four-wheel drive, self-reliance, and extra time.

Credit: NPS/Neal Herbert

The White Rim Road at Island in the Sky is a popular road for mountain bikers.

Credit: NPS/Neal Herbert

pinnacles of horizontally striped sandstone

The Needles, pinnacles of Cedar Mesa Sandstone, are visible in many parts of the Needles District, including this view in Chesler Park.

Credit: NPS/Neal Herbert

a person rowing a dory on the Colorado River

Boating the Colorado and Green rivers is a popular activity at Canyonlands (permit required).

Credit: NPS/Neal Herbert

Activities

Horse Trekking
Boating
Park Film
Astronomy
Horseback Riding
Shopping
Canoe or Kayak Camping
Bookstore and Park Store
Backcountry Camping
Paddling
Boat Tour
Whitewater Rafting
Biking
Group Camping
Rock Climbing
Car or Front Country Camping
Camping
Climbing
Guided Tours
Hiking
Stargazing
Junior Ranger Program

Topics

Animals
Explorers and Expeditions
Fish
Farming and Agriculture
Rock Landscapes and Features
Groundwater
Trails
Impact Craters
Archeology
Birds
River and Riparian
Native American Heritage
Night Sky
Canyons and Canyonlands
Ranches
Geology
Fossils and Paleontology
Natural Sounds

Operating Hours

Sunday

All Day

Monday

All Day

Tuesday

All Day

Wednesday

All Day

Thursday

All Day

Friday

All Day

Saturday

All Day

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle

Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.

$30.00

Entrance - Motorcycle

Admits a private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders.

$25.00

Entrance - Per Person

Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.

$15.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park

Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments.

$55.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Monday, Aug 3

Sunny

High: 91.3°F | Low: 68.8°F

Humidity: 16%

Wind: 16.6 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 11.1

Sunrise: 06:21 AM

Sunset: 08:25 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (65%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 63.4°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Tuesday, Aug 4

Sunny

High: 91.2°F | Low: 65.9°F

Humidity: 14%

Wind: 15.9 mph

Rain Chance: 1%

UV Index: 10.9

Sunrise: 06:22 AM

Sunset: 08:24 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (55%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 62.1°F

Cloud Cover: 1%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Aug 5

Sunny

High: 88.4°F | Low: 64.6°F

Humidity: 10%

Wind: 14.1 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 10.1

Sunrise: 06:23 AM

Sunset: 08:23 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (44%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 58.9°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (4)

⚠️ Heat Advisory (Moderate)

▼

Heat Advisory issued August 2 at 10:08PM MDT until August 4 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

Effective: Aug 3, 2026 12:08am
Expires: Aug 3, 2026 6:00pm

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures up to 108
expected, and overnight low temperatures in the upper-70's. For
the Heat Advisory, high temperatures up to 105 expected, with low
temperatures in the mid-70s.

* WHERE...Arches/Grand Flat and Canyonlands/Natural Bridges.

* WHEN...For the Extreme Heat Warning, until 9 PM MDT Monday. For
the Heat Advisory, from 9 PM Monday to 9 PM MDT Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during
extreme heat events.

⚠️ Extreme Heat Warning (Severe)

▼

Extreme Heat Warning issued August 2 at 10:08PM MDT until August 3 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

Effective: Aug 3, 2026 12:08am
Expires: Aug 3, 2026 6:00pm

⚠️ Extreme Heat Warning (Severe)

▼

Extreme Heat Warning issued August 2 at 9:25PM MDT until August 3 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT

Effective: Aug 2, 2026 11:25pm
Expires: Aug 3, 2026 2:30pm

* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 105
expected with little overnight recovery.

* WHERE...Capitol Reef National Park and Vicinity, Glen Canyon
Recreation Area/Lake Powell, South Central Utah, and Western
Canyonlands.

* WHEN...Until 9 PM MDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during
extreme heat events.

⚠️ Extreme Heat Warning (Severe)

▼

Extreme Heat Warning issued August 2 at 8:42PM MDT until August 3 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT

Effective: Aug 2, 2026 10:42pm
Expires: Aug 3, 2026 1:45pm

Park Alerts

Shafer Trail Closed Park Closure

The unpaved Shafer Trail road is closed due to winter conditions.

More Info

Temporary Closure of The Needles District Park Closure

Canyonlands National Park has temporarily closed The Needles district to all uses, including the backcountry, until further notice due to the Babylon Fire near Blanding, UT. The Babylon Fire is located within Bears Ears National Monument and is not currently burning within Canyonlands National Park, but it is progressing toward the park and UT 211.

More Info

Elephant Hill Access Rd and Cave Spring Rd to close temporarily March 26 Park Closure

The unpaved Elephant Hill Access Road and Cave Spring Road, and associated parking lots, will close temporarily for necessary road maintenance on March 26, 2026. The roads and parking lots will be closed to all uses until the work is complete, which should be later that same day.

Expect delays due to paving on Potash Road/SR-279 Information

Paving crews will be working weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm from June 8 through mid-July. Expect closures along the road shoulders in active work zones, and short delays with alternating one-way traffic controlled by a flagging operation.

Trip-planning tips for 2026 Information

Planning to visit Canyonlands this year? To ensure the best experience, please anticipate potentially long wait times at the entrance station. If overlook or trailhead parking is full, plan to return a little later. Please avoid parking on vegetation and roadways to help preserve this beautiful place for everyone to enjoy.

Elephant Hill 4WD Road temporarily impassable Park Closure

Elephant Hill 4WD Road is temporarily impassable due to a disabled vehicle blocking the one-way section between Elephant Hill and Devil's Kitchen. The gate at the Elephant Hill parking lot has been closed. No day use permits are available until the road is passable again.

Island in the Sky Scenic Drive Temporarily Closed Park Closure

Due to hazardous road conditions the scenic drive at Island in the Sky is temporarily closed at The Neck.

Temporary Closure of Backcountry Activities in The Needles District Park Closure

Effective immediately, Canyonlands National Park has paused all backcountry activities in The Needles district due to the Babylon Fire near Blanding, UT. The Needles Visitor Center is closed. No new backcountry overnight or day use permits will be issued nor new reservations allowed for The Needles Campground until further notice. The Babylon Fire is located within Bears Ears National Monument and is not currently burning within Canyonlands National Park.

Shafer Trail Closed Park Closure

The Shafer Trail is closed to vehicles due to icy conditions.

More Info

Grand View Point Closed for Construction Weekdays July 27 to Oct 1 Park Closure

Grand View Point Overlook, Grand View Point Trail, and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) of park road is closed Monday to Thursday. The closure applies to all uses, including vehicles, tour buses, motorcycles, bikes, & hikers. Parking is open but limited Friday to Sunday.

More Info

Shafer Trail Closed Park Closure

Shafer Trail is closed due to ice.

Conditions and Construction Affecting Cataract Canyon Takeouts Caution

Hite Ramp is closed. The primitive, dirt take-out at North Wash is undergoing construction this spring which might cause delays of up to 5 hours. Boaters are advised to use the foot trail past Highway 95 for passenger & gear drop-off (steep incline), continue on to Bullfrog, or plan their take-out when construction is not active: (Friday–Sunday or before 7am / after 6pm Monday–Thursday).

More Info

Wildfire Smoke Impacts Caution

Smoke and poor air quality may be present due to the Babylon Fire near Blanding, UT. Visitors are encouraged to check conditions before visiting.

More Info

Upheaval Dome area to close temporarily March 16-20 Park Closure

Upheaval Dome parking lot will close temporarily for necessary construction March 16–20, 2026. Vehicles and bikes shall not proceed past Whale Rock parking lot. Hikers wishing to access the Syncline or Upheaval Dome trails must walk two miles roundtrip along the roadway to the trailhead.

Wildfire Smoke Impacts Caution

Smoke from the Babylon Fire near Blanding, Utah is impacting the park's air quality. Air quality is forecast to be in the unhealthy range for many areas in the park over the next 24 hours. Visitors should consider limiting exertion outdoors. Check Utah Fire Info for wildfire information and the following link for park air quality information.

More Info

Salt Creek/Horse Canyon 4WD Road is currently impassable to all vehicles Park Closure

This road is currently impassable due to fallen tree blocking the roadway.

No Wood or Charcoal Fires Allowed - Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in Effect Caution

All fires are prohibited. Only petroleum or propane-fueled stoves or grills are allowed in backcountry campsites, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Fireworks are never allowed. Smoke only inside vehicles or in developed areas over 3 feet from flammables.

More Info

Park Events

Horseshoe Canyon Guided Walk

Visitors are welcome to meet with a ranger at 9:00 am at the Horseshoe Canyon trailhead for a four-hour guided hike into Horseshoe Canyon. The hike includes stops at four major pictograph panels, including the Great Gallery, where the hike concludes. Visitors return to the trailhead on their own.

The hike is considered strenuous, with a 780' descent and ascent, long stretches of walking in loose sand, and limited shade. Please bring four liters/quarts of water per person, snacks/lunch, appropriate shoes for hiking over rough terrain in the desert, and sunscreen/sun-protective clothing. More info:

The hike to the Great Gallery is seven miles (11.2 km) roundtrip, requiring five hours or more.
A steep descent of 780 feet (237 m) at the beginning means a steep climb back up at the end of the hike.
Pets are prohibited on the trail or below the rim of Horseshoe Canyon.
Group size is limited to 20 people. Larger groups must arrange in advance to go with a ranger or split into smaller groups.
Bring your own drinking water. We recommend one gallon (4 L) per person. There is no water at the trailhead, and water sources are unreliable within the canyon.

A map of the trailhead location can be found at: Horseshoe Canyon (nps.gov) Please call the Hans Flat Ranger Station (435-719-2218) for further information or current road conditions.

Location: Hike begins at the Horseshoe Canyon Trailhead.

Date: Mar 7, 2026 12:00am to May 30, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Patio Talk - Island in the Sky District

Join a ranger to learn why Canyonlands is such a special place. Topics are posted outside at the visitor center daily.

Location: Island in the Sky Visitor Center

Date: Apr 6, 2026 12:00am to Apr 6, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Geology Talk - Island in the Sky

Join a Park Ranger to explore the ancient landscapes that create the complex and exciting story that is Canyonlands.

Location: Grand View Point, Island in the Sky District

Date: Apr 6, 2026 12:00am to Apr 6, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Dark Sky Program - Island in the Sky District

The Stars are Storytellers Too

Join a ranger to learn about how people have connected and left legacies with the stars. This program takes place at Green River Overlook in the Island in the Sky District. Please bring a red light, and consider bringing a chair for comfort.