Canyonlands National Park

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In this page, you will find informations and advices we can give, based on our experience

Canyonlands National Park - Utah

Dead Horse Point State Park - Utah

What to do if you have little time : the viewpoints in Canyonlands and if you are an early riser, Mesa Arch at sunrise.

Advice : It is very hot and dry in summer (95 to 104°). In the morning, when the sun is rising, temperatures rise quickly. So once again, take a lot of water.

Like all national parks, a contribution is requested at the entrance to the Canyonlands National Park. It is $30 per vehicle. If you have the "America the beautiful" pass, access is included.

Concerning Dead Horse Point State Park, as its name suggests, it's a State Park that is not in Canyonlands NP. So you have to pay an additionnal 10$ fee.

We recommend to dedicate at least 2 days to the visit o the park.

Length and duration of the hike 0,4 mile one way

1 hour at sunrise

$25 per vehicle

GPS tracks to download

GPS trail to download

This arch is photogenic at sunrise. Therefore, you must inquire for sunrise hours to be there at the best moment. The short hike, about 0,4 mile, is easy if done in the early hours, understand before sunrise. Try to be there early, because the place is frequented by photographers and the best seats are taken quickly !

Photo tip : have a tripod a wide angle lens and a remote control.

White Rim Road

Length and duration of the hike Depending on wish

2 days minimum

$30 per vehicle

This road goes down into the heart of Canyonlands and offers superb viewpoints that are otherwise inaccessible. It is 100 miles long and takes at least 2 days to complete. It can be done in both directions.

As for the vehicle, a 4WD with a high ground clearance is essential. A Jeep Wrangler is ideal. This is what we had in April 2022 and we had no problems or difficulties. It might be useful to bring a gas can. We didn't take one and we used a little more than half the tank of a Wrangler. For your information, the Wrangler rental company seems to indicate that the counter-clockwise route is less fuel consuming.

From the White Rim Road, you can see Mesa Arch from below as well as the Dead Horse Meander.

It is possible to make some hikes, in particular Moses & Zeus (1 mile one way) whose trailhead is accessible after a detour of 5 miles one way on the Taylor Canyon Road.

It is imperative to plan to spend a night in one of the campsites along the White Rim Road. These campsites must be reserved 4 months in advance (on the recreation.gov website). The most popular campground is White Crack. It is located at the southern end of the road and has only one site (a group of 15 people maximum and 3 cars). Solitude guaranteed! The reservation costs $36 + $5 per person (in 2022) and does not exempt you from paying the entrance fee to Canyonlands ($30).

Access : from the north via Mineral Road, from the east via Potash Road or from the Visitor Center via Shafer Trail.

Canyonlands viewpoints

Length and duration of the hike No hike

Half a day

$25 per vehicle

Due to extremely high temperatures in 2012, we could not hike in Canyonlands and we only went to the viewpoints.

Green River ovelook : nice view in the morning.
Overlook : not very interesting.
Grand Viewpoint : Nice view over the famous goose paw. Pretty.
Buck Canyon Overlook : nice but best in the afternoon because it's backlit in the morning.

Length and duration of the hike 1,9 miles one way

1 to 2 hours

$25 per vehicle

GPS trail to download

This 3,8 miles hike (round trip) with no shade, leads to an absolutely stunning viewpoint on Canyonlands. The rest of the hike has no real interest. It's best in the morning to have the sun in the back.

Length and duration of the hike 1 mile one way

1 hour

$25 per vehicle

GPS trail to download

2 miles hike (round trip), on a ledge that narrows as you move forward, to end at a point beyond which the vacuum is offered to you. Impressive views, breathtaking.

Length and duration of the hike 300 feet one way

1 hour

$10 per vehicle

(in 2012)

Interesting view on the Green River that winds between cliffs.

To see around

Arches National Park

Lodging

We have tested :

Moab - Bowen Motel : classic motel well located on main street. 160$ the room for 5 in april 2022.
Moab - Camping Koa : located south of Moab. Lavatories are clean. Pool. Very littleshade.

Moab - Adventurer Inn Motel : No pool, but there is a nice shaded lawn area equipped with picnic tables. Spacious and clean rooms. $90 a night (for 4 people) in june 2012 (breakfast included).
Moab - Riverside Inn Motel : quite correct motel with pool and Jacuzzi. $96 a room for 4 in September 2013 (breakfast included).
Moab - Riverside Oasis campground : north of Moab near Route 191, so quite noisy. Clean lavatories. Tent sites, shaded, are on the lawn, which is very nice and comfortable. $30 a night in september 2013.