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Best Easy Canyonlands Hikes with Great Viewpoints

Canyonlands National Park is one of Utah’s five stunning National Parks filled with amazing hikes and viewpoints. While other Utah National Parks like Zion and Bryce are fairly far from each other, Canyonlands is only 26 miles from Arches National Park and 30 miles from Moab, Utah. While Arches is the more visited National Park, both are well worth the visit on your next National Parks Road Trip.

I enjoyed Canyonlands more than Arches due to fewer crowds and the peace I could feel when overlooking the vast canyons. Personally, I found it to be even more impressive than the Grand Canyon! I had no expectations for Canyonlands, as it is definitely less talked about than some of its neighboring Southwest National Parks, but even if I did have expectations, I don’t think it would have disappointed!

Canyonlands is a must-see if you are planning a Utah National Parks Road Trip or if you are looking to spend 2-3 days in Moab, Utah. The canyons are vast and seemingly endless, making them a prime destination for landscape photographers, and there are many easy flat hikes to the overlooks, perfect for the whole family.

Island of the Sky is the most popular section of Canyonlands National Park, but few people know there are actually four districts in this expansive park. This guide will focus on hikes within Island of the Sky, 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.

Below are 5 easy hikes, all under 2 miles, that lead to some of the best views in Utah, as well as one long hike in the nearby Dead Horse Point State Park. All 5 of these hikes are able to be hiked in half a day in Canyonlands, leaving the entire afternoon to check out Moab, Arches National Park, or Dead Horse State Park! There are so many other things to do near Canyonlands including off roading in Moab, mountain biking, rafting, and driving the Colorado River Scenic Drive.

5. Shafer Canyon Overlook Trail

overlook of Shafer canyon in Canyonlands National Park
Viewpoint from Shafer Canyon Overlook
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 0.3 miles
  • Scenic Rating: 3.5/5

The Shafer Canyon Overlook Trail is one of the shortest and easiest trails in all of Canyonlands National Park. It is a short walk to an overlook of a winding, dirt road up the canyon that makes for a fun photograph!

The parking lot for Shafer Canyon Overlook is one of the first pull-offs within the park after the Visitor Center and is shared with the Neck Spring Trail Trailhead. Its proximity to the entrance makes for a great start or end to your day in Canyonlands National Park.

4. Green River Great Overlook Trail

green river overlook in Canyonlands National Park
Green River Overlook
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 0.2 miles
  • Scenic Rating: 4/5

The Green River Great Overlook Trail surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. I had seen so many viewpoints of the canyons, I thought another one couldn’t possibly impress me, and wow was I wrong! The Green River winding through the spectacular curvy canyon formation is such a unique site, and definitely worth the quick walk!

3. White Rim Overlook Trail

White Rim Canyon Overlook in Canyonlands National Park, Utah
White Rim Overlook
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 1.8 miles
  • Scenic Rating: 4/5

This was the least crowded trail we hiked in Canyonlands on, which surprised me because it was absolutely gorgeous! The majority of the White Rim Overlook Trail is in the middle of a peninsula jutting out into the canyon, but it doesn’t take long to reach some amazing views with plenty of room to spread out!

The only difficult thing about this trail was that it did have less parking than some of the others, although there were many day-use spots with picnic tables. This makes it a great trail to do around lunch, or you can take your lunch along the trail and enjoy it with a view!

2. Mesa Arch Trail

sunrise at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park
Sunrise at Mesa Arch
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 0.7 miles
  • Scenic Rating: 5/5

Mesa Arch is one of the most photographed landmarks in Canyonlands and probably all of Utah. If you go at sunrise it is not hard to see why! While there are many arches in Utah, Mesa Arch stands out for its unique angle and location that causes the underside of the arch to light up a brilliant red and orange as the sun rises.

If you do decide to arrive at sunrise expect to be competing with many crowds of photographers and sunrise seekers all photographing the event. We arrived 45 minutes before sunrise, and about 12 other people were already set up (probably 6 other photographers). By the time actually rose there were closer to 30-50 people milling around and trading spots to grab their shots. I thought it was worth it for the photos and experience, but do be aware if you go, you won’t be alone!

1. Grand View Point Trail

girl in white jacket and hat overlooks grand viewpoint trail in Canyonlands National Park in Utah in winter
Grand Viewpoint Trail is a great place to take in the vast canyon
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Length: 1.8 miles
  • Scenic Rating: 5/5

Grand View Point Trail was my favorite trail in Canyonlands! This trail is located to the far southernmost point of the Island of the Sky District. The entire trail contains jaw-dropping panoramic views as far as the eye can see. The photo above was one spot of about a dozen where I just stopped to take in and photograph the amazing view.

I would recommend hiking this trail early as it does get crowded and is very exposed! Be sure to bring lots of water and take proper sun precautions to avoid dehydration. The actual trail can also sometimes be hard to locate, so pay careful attention to trail markers to stay on the trail as much as possible and reduce your impact on the desert.

+1 Amazing Hike Near Canyonlands- Dead Horse Point

Colorado river winding through canyon near Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park has views that rival Canyonlands
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Length: 5.0 miles
  • Elevation Gain: 908 ft
  • Scenic Rating: 5/5

If you are looking for a longer hike with equally stunning views as Canyonlands, check out its neighbor state park, Dead Horse State Park! The Dead Horse Rim Loop Trail circles almost the entire rim of the park with views the whole way. I enjoyed this trail just as much if not more than Canyonlands trails. Dead Horse Point State Park is only 16 minutes, and 12 miles from Canyonlands making it the perfect road trip stop before or after visiting Canyonlands.

Since it is a longer and slightly more challenging trail than many in Canyonlands, sections of this trail were less crowded than similar trails in Canyonlands, and there was so much room to spread out at some of the overlooks. That being said, it can still get crowded, especially at viewpoints and we had to wait in a short line to enter the park.

Other Things to Do Near Canyonlands

  • Off-Roading Tour– There is so much great off-roading in Utah and the Southwest it would seem a shame not to experience it. Off Roading in Moab is without a doubt one of the best things to do near Canyonladns and Moab.
  • Mountain Biking– If two-wheel vehicles are more your speed, then instead go for a mountain bike ride on one of the many biking trails in Moab. Moab has everything from easy to extremely challenging mountain bike trails for whatever your skill level.
  • Drive along the Colorado River– Utah State Route 128 goes along the Colorado River, starting near the entrance to Arches National Park. This 45-mile road is also known as the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway. Drive part or all of this scenic drive and take in the red cliff walls and scenic desert views.
  • Rafting– If you have had enough driving on your road trip, you can also experience the Colorado River by rafting down it! Moab Adventure Center has several trips from multiple days to half-day adventures. Red River Adventures also offers several rafting options.

Important Tips for Hiking in Canyonlands

  • 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 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 does not have many facilities, so do not count on getting water once to the park!

Where to Stay Near Canyonlands

There are amazing free and paid campsites near Canyonlands

Looking for where to stay near Canyonlands? Check out my recommendations below for some great camping, glamping, and hotel stays near Canyonlands and Moab.

Where to Camp Near 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 sunrise or sunset over the canyon.
  • 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.
  • Backcountry Camping– One of the amazing things about the US Southwest is the amount of free dispersed land available for camping. This is great if you are road tripping on a budget! Sites like iOverlander and FreeCampsites.net have tons of locations people have used in the past to camp at. If you do backcountry camp, stick to established campsites and always leave no trace!

Glamping near Moab

  • Moenkopi Yurts & Wingate Yurts– Along with campsites, Dead Horse State Park also has yurts available for rent. These cool yurts do have furniture, electricity, heat, and AC, but they do not have private bathrooms or bedding.
  • Teardrop Trailers for Rent– Don’t have your own camper? No worries, you can rent one, such as these adorable teardrops for your glamping trip! They will even drop it off at your campsite for you!
  • Canvas Tent Glamping– If you want to experience a true luxury glamping trip, stay in a fully decked out canvas tent, some of which have private bathrooms. These sites are only 22 minutes from Canyonlands, and 15 minutes from Moab.

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 Visit Canyonlands

Average Weather in Moab, UT; data from usclimatedata.com

Spring and Fall are the best time to visit Moab and Canyonlands if you want the best weather. As you can see below, 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, we got caught in some snow when visiting Arches, 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

  • 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.
  • 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. While the Mesa Arch trail is not long, it can be terrifying to hike somewhere new without visibility, especially when the park is known for its steep drop-offs!

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