Canyonlands National Park
Location: Utah
Permit: no
Canyonlands is so underrated and one of those parks you can’t miss. If you’re planning a trip, I’d suggest giving it at least one full day, but two is even better if you want to explore beyond the main overlooks and hit a trail or two.
Recommended time: 1-6 days
Most people don’t know there are 2 districts to this park - Island in the Sky & The Needles.
Island in the Sky
More popular, but rightly so! This is where all the amazing viewpoints you see on social media are and it’s worth the stop for a day or two.
Day 1 – Canyon Overlooks, Scenic Drive & Short Hikes
(Perfect for a one-day visit)
Morning
Start early at the Island in the Sky entrance (about 40 minutes from Moab) to beat the crowds and the heat.
Mesa Arch – 0.8 km (0.5 mi) round trip
The most popular and photographed spot in the park.
Scenic Drive: Island in the Sky Road – about 55 km (34 mi) round trip
This main road is packed with pull-offs and incredible overlooks requiring minimal hiking.
Don’t miss these overlooks:
Grand View Point – stunning panoramic views and a 3.2 km (2 mi) rim trail
Green River Overlook – dramatic, wide-open views carved by the Green River (the other famous instagram photo spot).
Shafer Canyon Overlook – a look down at the insane switchbacks of the Shafer Trail Road
Buck Canyon Overlook – layers of cliffs and mesas stretching into the distance
Upheaval Dome
1.6 km (1 mi) round trip to the first overlook, or 2.9 km (1.8 mi) if you continue to the second overlook
Sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park (optional, just outside the park)
This viewpoint is unreal at golden hour. It’s technically not part of Canyonlands, but it’s just down the road and well worth the $20 entrance fee. See my itinerary for Dead Horse Point here.
Day 2 – Longer Hikes & Quieter Trails
(Perfect if you’ve got more time or want to get off the main path)
Syncline Loop Trail – 13.4 km (8.3 mi) loop, strenuous
Circles Upheaval Dome with steep descents, rock scrambling, and little shade. Only for experienced hikers with good navigation skills.
Murphy Point Trail – 5.8 km (3.6 mi) round trip
Quieter, easier trail and a great option if you’re skipping the harder trails or short on time.
White Rim Overlook Trail – 2.9 km (1.8 mi) round trip
Short hike, massive views.
Optional Adventure:
Shafer Trail Road (4WD only)
If you’ve got a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, drive the steep switchbacks down into the canyon. It connects to the White Rim Road and offers a whole different perspective on the park.
The Needles
The Needles feels like Canyonlands’ quieter, more rugged sibling. It’s remote, colorful, and full of slot canyons, slickrock, and towering red and white spires (the “needles”). If you’re up for longer hikes and don’t mind a bit of solitude, this part of the park is a dream.
The Needles entrance is about 120 km (75 mi) from Moab and takes roughly 1.5–2 hours to reach by car. There's no gas or food inside the park—stock up in advance! If you are short on time, I would recommend sticking to the Island in the Sky district, but if you have the luxury of time, make the drive!
Day 3 – Scenic Stops & Moderate Hikes
Roadside Ruin Trail – 0.5 km (0.3 mi) round trip
A quick, flat walk to a small ancestral Puebloan granary tucked into a rock alcove. Great intro to the area’s human history.
Cave Spring Trail – 1.6 km (1 mi) loop
A fun loop with a bit of scrambling, two ladders, and some cowboy camp history. Super photogenic and kid-friendly.
Pothole Point Trail – 1 km (0.6 mi) loop
Short hike with big views over the Needles formations. After rain, the “potholes” fill with tiny desert life—cool to see!
Afternoon or Sunset:
Slickrock Trail – 4 km (2.4 mi) loop
Underrated and beautiful. Panoramic canyon views with minimal elevation change. Great choice for golden hour.
Camp at The Needles Campground
The Needles Campground has 26 sites (some reservable at recreation.gov, some first-come, first-serve).
There are picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and seasonal drinking water. No hookups.
If you're planning to backpack, overnight permits are required.
Day 4-5: Lost Canyon & Peekaboo Trail
I hiked the lost canyon trail and had a permit for camping at one of the designated camping spots (LC3). I added on peekaboo trail as a side trail on my way to my camping spot. Find permits here.
Pro tip: if you secure a camping permit, start the hike a little later in the day (mid morning). I started at 8am and even with my peekaboo detour, I ended up arriving at my camping spot early afternoon. It is a relaxing area, but if you’re someone who doesn’t like to sit around all afternoon, plan to arrive early evening.
Lost Canyon Loop: 13 km (8 mi)
Side trail to Peekaboo from the junction: ~4.4 km (2.75 mi) round trip
(2.2 km / 1.4 mi each way from the Lost Canyon–Peekaboo junction)
Total Distance: 17.4 km (10.8 mi) round trip, moderate to strenuous depending on weather and pack weight.
Peekaboo Trail Only – 16.4 km (10.2 mi) round trip, moderate to strenuous
There’s ladder climbing, mild scrambling, and tons of varied terrain—it’s a full-day adventure and totally worth the effort.
Important Information:
Be sure to stop at the visitor centre to ask about a water availability. There are no water stations and you will need to bring a filter. I was told the streams had a lot of water in them, and then when I got to the “stream” it was bone dry. Bring more water than you need, as it’s better to have too much than not enough.
There are no bathrooms along this trail, bring appropriate waste bags, and pack everything out.
Day 6: The Druid Arch Adventure
Druid Arch Trail – 17.7 km (11 mi) round trip, strenuous
I unfortunately have not had the opportunity to hike this trail, but it is on the bucket list. Here is some information from the NPS website:
“Hike Description: This trail offers one of the most spectacular views in The Needles. It follows the first part of the Chesler Park trail, then branches off to travel along the bottom of Elephant Canyon through deep sand and loose rock. The last 2.01 km (1.25 mile) at the upper end is steep with one ladder and some scrambling.”