Canyonlands vs Arches: One Day in Arches or Canyonlands National Park

At first glance, Canyonlands and Arches might seem like similar parks. They are both located near Moab, Utah, and both have spectacular desert scenery full of arches, mountains, and canyons. When it comes down to it though, they are two very different parks, both with a lot to offer.

Both of these parks are a perfect stop when planning your National Parks road trip! If you have the time, schedule at least a day or more to visit each of these parks. However, if you only have one day in Moab, you may be wondering which park, Canyonlands or Arches, is better for one day.

When choosing between Canyonlands vs. Arches, it will depend on what you are looking for out of your National Park experience. See below for a summary and comparison of the two parks, itineraries for one day in each park, and a one-day guide that takes you to both parks.

At a Glance: Arches vs Canyonlands National Park

Arches National Park

The unique geology and climate of the desert around Arches National Park, has shaped the land over millions of years to form the jaw-dropping, picturesque arches we see today in the park. Thousands of arches can be found in the park, and visitors from all over the world come to see these one-of-a-kind arches.

Canyonlands National Park

Similar to Arches, the primary appeal to Canyonlands National Park is in the name. You can expect expansive canyon views and interesting rock formations throughout the park. The immense size and depth of these canyons are sure to awe you while visiting the park.

Canyonland is divided up into four districts. Island in the Sky is the most popular section of Canyonlands National Park, as it is the area closest to Moab and easiest to visit. The Needles is also a great hiking destination for both day and overnight trips. The Maze is a remote area of Canyonlands with more difficult backpacking trails. The Colorado River and the Green River that form some of the deep canyons are also considered a district of Canyonlands National Park.

The itineraries below will primarily focus on the Island in the Sky district as it will give you the most for only a short period of time in the park.

Size

Arches is smaller than Canyonlands at just 119 square miles to Canyonlands’ 527 square miles. However, just the Island in the Sky area is close in size to all of Arches.

Another way to compare the size of the parks is by the length of their scenic drives. The Canyonlands Island in the Sky has a 34-mile scenic drive, very similar in length to Arches’ 29-mile drive.

Crowds

Despite its larger size, Canyonlands gets only a little over half as many visitors as Arches! If you are looking for solitude, Canyonlands is the way to go. Still don’t expect to be alone if visiting the Island in the Sky, but the crowds will not be as bad as you can expect in Arches.

Scenery

Despite being incredibly close to each other, Canyonlands and Arches offer up very different views. Canyonlands has overlooks of sweeping vistas with steep drop-offs, while Arches contains over 2,000 stand stone arches to visit.

Hiking

Both Arches and Canyonlands have some great hikes. Both parks have a mix of some easy and more difficult hikes, although Arches does have fewer options for hiking, and more fall into the “easy” category of hiking. Canyonlands, on the other hand, has many more long hikes, especially if you explore beyond the Island in the Sky district.

You can even backpack in The Needles, Island in the Sky, and The Maze districts of Canyonlands. Arches has much more limited options for backpacking, with only a few sites in the Devil’s Garden and Courthouse Wash areas of the park.

Arches vs. Canyonlands: Which to Choose?

So which should you choose: Arches or Canyonlands? Obviously, there is no right or wrong answer here, and what you are looking for out of your National Parks experience will determine your answer. When choosing Arches vs. Canyonlands, think about your goal for the day. Is it to see a specific spot or two, hike deep into the park, or just see as much as possible?

If you are wanting solitude and peace in nature, then I would recommend Canyonlands. It is less crowded and easier for visitors to spread out in, making it better to find a quiet spot. Canyonlands has many spots for longer day hikes to get you away from the more popular locations.

If you want to hike several short trails, then either park will be a good fit. Both Arches and Canyonlands have drive-up spots and short trail options, so the deciding factor will be whether you want to see arches or canyons.

Best Hikes in Arches National Park

Arches National Parks contains mostly short trails, with a couple of longer trails, the stand out being Devil’s Garden. See below for some of the best trails in Arches:

• Delicate Arch– 3.2 miles, moderate
• Sand Dune Arch– 0.3 miles, easy
• Devil’s Garden– 7.9 miles, difficult
• Windows and Turret Arch Loop– 1.2 miles, easy
• Double Arch– 0.6 miles, easy

Best Hikes in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands has a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult hikes, with most of the more difficult ones found in remote areas of the park. Island in the Sky has some of the best easy hikes in Canyonlands.

• Mesa Arch– 0.7 mile, easy
• White Rim Overlook Trail– 1.8 miles, easy
• Grand Vew Point Trail– 1.8 miles, easy
• Gooseberry Trail– 4.2 miles, easy
• Chelser Park Loop Trail– 10.4 miles, moderate

One Day Itinerary for Canyonlands National Park

Getting to Canyonlands

Canyonlands is not far from Moab. The distance between Moab, Utah and the Island of the Sky district in Canyonlands is 30 miles, and it takes approximately 34 minutes to complete the drive.

Since Canyonlands’ Island of the Sky is at an elevation of about 6000 feet, you will have to drive up the mesa. There are a couple of scenic overlooks on the way that are worth of stop if you have more time!

Mesa Arch

Start your day in Canyonlands with a sunrise hike at Mesa Arch! This is a quick hike, less than a mile long. Mesa Arch is especially spectacular at sunrise as the underside of the rock glows a brilliant orange as the first light hits it.

If you are looking to photograph Mesa Arch at sunrise, don’t expect to be alone. We arrived 45 minutes before sunrise, and 6 other photographers were already set up. It only got busier as the sun got higher!  I thought it was worth it for the photos and experience, but do be aware that you won’t be alone if you go!

Best Canyonlands Overlooks

After checking out Mesa Arch, spend the rest of your day in Canyonlands driving to the various overlooks and viewpoints in the park. One of my favorite things about Canyonlands is that it is great if you are limited on time, due to the sheer amount you can see, just steps from your car on a scenic drive.

Below are some scenic viewpoints in Canyonlands that don’t require a hike. See the list above for hikes in Canyonlands.

• Grand View Point Overlook
• Orange Cliffs Overlook
• Buck Canyon Overlook
• Candlestick Tower Overlook
• Green River Overlook
• Holeman Spring Canyon Overlook
• Shafer Canyon Overlook

Dead Horse Point State Park

After spending the morning in Canyonlands, head to Dead Horse Point State Park for the afternoon. Dead Horse Point State Park is only 12 miles and 17 minutes from Canyonlands. It is only a short detour from the drive back to Moab and well worth the stop!

Although the views are similar to Canyonlands’, you will find fewer crowds and my favorite hike in the area. The Dead Horse Rim Loop Trail is 5 miles long and has moderate difficulty, with panoramic views of the canyon for the entirety of the hike.

Hang around for sunset, or head back to Moab for dinner to complete your day in Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park.

One Day Itinerary for Arches National Park

Getting to Arches National Park

Getting from Moab to Arches is even easier than getting to Canyonlands. If you enter Moab from the North on US-191, you will have most likely seen the park entrance right off the road! The distance between Moab and Arches is only 5 miles, which makes for a quick 9-minute drive.

After entering the park, be prepared to immediately drive the windy road up about 500 feet with steep drop-offs. It helps to know where you want to go before entering the park, as many arches are only visible by a hike. If you have a must-see arch or hike, I would recommend driving there first to ensure you can mark it off your list, as parking can fill up quickly in peak season at the limited trailheads.

Be aware, that Arches may restrict the number of visitors allowed to reduce congestion inside the park. During this time they will not allow more visitors in for hours at a time. If you want to make the most of your day in Arches, plan to arrive early to make sure you don’t waste your day in a line!

Delicate Arch

After arriving in Arches in the early morning (I would recommend at or before sunrise in Spring and Summer), take a direct route to the most famous arch in the park. If you took a road trip to Arches, you will have likely seen this arch on almost every license plate in Utah- Delicate Arch.

The Delicate Arch hike is only 3.2 miles with 629 feet of elevation gain, but don’t mistake this for a walk in the park (even if it quite literally is). There’s one section of this hike, in particular, that is straight-up a rock slab at a fairly steep incline.

This hike is fairly exposed, so make sure to bring lots of water, and protect your skin. If you want a picture directly under the natural, freestanding arch, be prepared to wait in a line under direct sunlight. The early in the day you start the cooler it will be. You will be glad for starting early!

If you don’t have time or the ability to hike the whole trail to the arch, you can also stop by the Delicate Arch Viewpoints. The Lower Viewpoint is wheelchair accessible and only 50 yards long. The Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint is a steep 0.5 miles to a view of the arch from across the canyon.

Sand Dune Arch

Sand Dune Arch is a great cool-down hike after Delicate Arch. It is only 0.3 miles round trip and features a small canyon filled with sand! Inside this canyon, you will find the arch, which is so much fun to take photos under. This was unexpectedly the highlight of Arches for me because it was a little adventure through the canyon and sand.

This hike is fairly easy, with the only challenge coming from walking in deep sand. Like all arches in the park, do not try to climb Sand Dune Arch! Always remember to Leave No Trace, and keep these areas protected for other visitors to enjoy.

Devil’s Garden and Landscape Arch

After Sand Dune Arch, head over to the Devil’s Garden & Landscape Arch Trailhead. There are a limited number of picnic tables here where you can rest up and eat some lunch before continuing your hiking and sightseeing in Arches.

You have a couple of options at Devil’s Garden. The full hike is almost 8 miles long and difficult with over 1000 feet of elevation gain. It will take you past 7 spectacular arches including Tunnel Arch, Double O Arch, Navajo Arch, Landscape Arch, and more. If you are attempting the full hike make sure to do your research and know trail and weather conditions before you go.

A much shorter and less difficult option is to only hike as far as Landscape Arch before turning back, for a flat, 2-mile round trip hike. We opted to do this, as the snow made us wary of continuing further on the trail. If you choose this route, you will still not be disappointed to see the longest arch in Arches National Park!

For an even shorter hike, or to add on to your Landscape Arch hike, you can hike to Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch. After only hiking a quarter of a mile on the main trail there is a detour to these arches, that will make for a little over a one-mile round trip, or an additional half a mile to your Landscape Arch hike.

Double Arch and Windows Arches

To wrap up your time in Arches National Park, head down to Double Arch and Windows Arches. These arches all share the same parking lot, making them easy to see together. Start by hiking down to Double Arch. This easy, 0.6-mile hike is one of the most fun hikes in Arches, as it is one of few where you can climb up between two massive arches. This makes for some awesome views and photos.

Then, hike over to see the unique Windows Arches, that look like windows or eyes depending on who you talk to. I would strongly suggest you hike the full 1.2 mile Windows and Turret Arches Loop to see all sides of the Windows and get a little solitude from the majority of visitors who will only hike the 0.5 miles it takes to get to the arches.

How to See Both Arches and Canyonlands in One Day

Now if you are someone who doesn’t like to compromise you are probably wondering “What if I want to see both Arches and Canyonlands in one day?” The good news is that this is entirely possible to see both parks in one day! It will be a full and busy day, but a savvy, active traveler will be able to make it work. Read below for a great itinerary to see both Canyonlands and Arches in one day.

This guide is written starting in Canyonlands and ending in Arches. If you are more excited about Arches, I would recommend flipping it. Visit your most anticipated park first, so you won’t be disappointed if car trouble, lines, or unexpected events slow you down.

Half a Day in Canyonlands

Start your day off in Canyonlands at Mesa Arch for sunrise! I’m a strong believer that any busy National Parks day should always start at sunrise. If you want fewer crowds than Mesa Arch, I would highly recommend, Grand View Point Trail for stunning canyon views.

After sunrise, check out whichever trail you missed, Grand View Point or Mesa Arch, and hit some overlooks on the way, from the list under the One Day in Canyonlands Guide above. Green River Overlook and Shafer Canyon Overlook were my favorite!

Getting from Canyonlands to Arches

Half a Day in Arches

If arriving in Arches during a popular time, expect a line to get in. Bring a picnic lunch to multitask and eat in your car, while waiting to enter the park. Or if you are lucky, you can drive in and eat at one of the pull-offs with a view of the arches and the distant La Sal Mountains!

Once in head straight to your most anticipated hike or arch. I would recommend Delicate Arch to make sure you can see the park’s most popular spot. You could also wait to hike this trail at sunset to see the arch lit up a beautiful red! Spend the rest of your time in the park hiking a couple of the smaller trails in to some impressive arches without too much effort.

Double Arch and Windows Arches are absolute must-sees in the park. Landscape Arch and Sand Dune Arch trails are a fun way to spend your remaining time in the park. Whether it’s at Delicate Arch or another arch, be sure to stay in the park until sunset to see the arches glow!

Were to Stay in Moab

If you can, I would highly recommend camping in or near the parks. This will allow you to enter the parks first thing in the morning, and camping is great if you are planning your National Parks road trip on a budget. See below for several camping options in both Canyonlands and Arches, as well as hotels in nearby Moab.

Camping in Canyonlands

• Willow Flat– Willow Flat Campground is the only campground within the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands. It contains 12 first-come, first-served campsites that are open year-round. It is located next to the Green River Overlook, making it an amazing spot to watch sun rise and set.
• Kayenta Campground & Wingate Campground– These campgrounds are both in Dead Horse State Park, and are open from mid-February to December, and do allow for advance reservations.
• Horsethief Campground– Horsethief Campground is a BLM (Bureau of Land Management) campground only about 8 miles, and 10 minutes from the Canyonlands National Park entrance. It is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Camping in Arches

• Devils Garden Campground– Devils Garden Campground is the only campground in Arches National Park, and requires advance reservations March through October.
• Campgrounds along the Colorado River– There are many campsite along the Colorado River and Route 128. I couldn’t possible list them all here; searching Moab, on Recreation.gov will bring up lots of campsites that take reservations ahead of time.

Hotels in Moab

• Red Cliffs Lodge– This lodge is a beautiful, luxury stay along the Colorado River.
• Sunflower Hill Inn– Sunflower Hill Inn is a cute Bed and Breakfast type hotel located inside Moab
• Castle Valley Inn– This is another Bed and Breakfast close to Moab with a hot tub, perfect for a getaway!

When to go to Moab

Spring and Fall are the best time to visit Arches and Canyonlands if you want the best weather. As you can see above, March to May and September to November will have the best weather with highs averaging around the upper 50s to 80s. The summer will have the hottest weather with highs well into the 90s and 100s. The winter can be cold and windy, but will also have the least crowds and amazing views if you catch the red rock in the snow. Even in March, you may see some snow when visiting Arches and Canyonlands, so keep in mind that weather can change at higher elevations.

No matter when you visit, it is important to remember that the desert cools off considerably at night so be prepared for some chillier weather at night and early in the morning before the sunrises.

Packing List for Canyonlands and Arches

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• Water- Water is your best friend in the desert! Make sure to bring enough and then some for your group.
• Snacks– If you will be hiking all day and burning a lot of calories, make sure to bring some protein-packed snacks and lunch as well.
• Sunscreen– Even if you are visiting in the winter, it is a good idea to use sunscreen to block the harsh sun!
• Sun Shielding Hat– My hat is my favorite hiking gear. A wide-brimmed hat will help keep the sun off you.
• Winter Hat- Morning can be cold in the desert at any time of year. A knit hat is great to have in your bag for early mornings or windy days.
• Moisture-Wicking Shirts– Any shirt will do, but the best hiking shirts are made of natural or synthetic moisture-wicking material that is breathable and dries quickly.
• Athletic Shorts/Pants– I personally tend to wear hiking leggings more than shorts. If you are hiking in the winter, Carhartt makes great thick women’s leggings.
• Lighter Jacket or Wind Jacket– Layering is always a good idea when hiking, and I put a spare windbreaker or light jacket in my backpack in case the wind picks up.
• Winter Coat– This may depend on the time of day you go, but I was glad to have my puffy coat when waiting for sunrise, even in late March.
• Hiking Boots or Trail Runner– Most of the trails are relatively easy without a lot of elevation gain, but I would still recommend hiking boots to keep your help keep your footing on the rock and reduce the impact on your feet.
• Hiking Socks– If you do wear boots, make sure to bring good socks to reduce the risk of blisters!
• Backpack– A good daypack can make your hike so much more enjoyable. Properly distributing weight and can ease your trip and allow you to bring all the essentials above!
• Headlamp– If you are going to be hiking for sunrise, be sure to bring a headlamp and batteries.

Tips for Visiting Canyonlands and Arches

• Leave No Trace! This is essential when hiking in any wilderness area, but it is especially important in National Parks, which are some of the most heavily trafficked hikes in the United States. Wandering off-trail can also harm delicate desert landscapes that can take many years to grow back. Carving or vandalizing rock is becoming increasingly common, and should not be done under any circumstance. Behavior like this leads to increasing restrictions of national land and damages the landscape in ways that cannot be undone, destroying centuries-old formations.
• Hike early! I always try to arrive at National Parks early to avoid crowds, and while this is also good advice for Arches and Canyonlands (especially if you are photographing Mesa Arch), it is even more important to hike early to avoid the midday sun. Hot sun, dry weather, and exposed hiking are not a good combination so make sure to wear appropriate clothing and wear a hat or head protection.
• Bring lots of water! This goes with the above tip, but whenever you are hiking, make sure to bring plenty of water. In normal conditions for moderate hiking one recommendation is to drink half a liter of water for every hour of hiking, and even more in harsher conditions. We always made sure to have at least 2 water bottles per person on us at all times and kept extra in the car. Canyonlands and Arches do not have many facilities, so do not count on getting water once to the park!

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