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Island in the Sky Reviews
4.6
4 of 45 Best Attractions in Canyonlands National Park
Reviews
Go there. You will not be disappointed. It will be an unforgettable experience. Island in the Sky is not as easily accessible as Arches, but its worth going there for the panoramic views of Canyonlands and surrounding areas.
We were able to enjoy the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands with a professional guide. I highly recommend this as you will be overwhelmed with the expanse and sights.
Fascinating, stunning and worth every moment!
The Island In The Sky northern portion of Canyonlands National Park is the most visited part of the park. There is a small but nice visitors center here with an informative film, maps, restrooms etc.
There are so spectacular views of the canyons directly across the road from the visitors center, as well as from the Green River Overlook. All the stops along this upper section of the park offers short walks from parking areas to magnificent views of the canyons.
I wish we had more time to spend here, but we did manage to do the Grand Viewpoint Overlook Trail. It was a little more than a mile long, well marked, and had amazing views of the canyons below. We only got through this one trail because we were heading somewhere else, but I'm glad we got to see parts of Canyonlands this year. We missed it entirely 2 years ago when we were in Moab.
We will definitely go back to walk on the trails and do some mountain biking.
The rangers were very helpful and informative. Not any supplies available. Seems the park could make more $ by selling supplies here. Water, wood and snacks would seem like good sellers to me.
Was able to fit this in after spending day at Arches , it was just up the street from Arches / Moab well worth doing
Canyonlands National Park is divided into separate districts. Island in the Sky is the northern district, located 30 miles west of Moab, UT via US191 and UT313 (40 miles southwest of I-70 exit 182). Admission is $25/car (good 7 days) or NPS passes are accepted. The 25-mile paved scenic access road goes out on top of a 1000' high mesa where there are dramatic, expansive views of the Colorado and Green Rivers. The scenery is spectacular and rivals Grand Canyon, in my opinion. I also find it more appealing than nearby Arches National Park (bigger "wow-factor"), but they are different so by all means visit both! There are many things to do at Island in the Sky depending on time and interest level. There's a visitor center, scenic overlook/viewpoints, hiking trails, and backcountry dirt roads for 4WD or biking. The visitor center and Buck Canyon, Green River, and Grand View overlooks are wheelchair-accessible. Commercial tours are available to explore the canyons by jeep or river raft. If time is limited, the main overlooks and Mesa Arch can be seen in 3-4 hours - I suggest stopping at Shafer Canyon, Mesa Arch, Green River Overlook, Grand View Point, and Buck Canyon Overlook as the highlights. Consider stopping at Dead Horse Point State Park ($10/car) on UT313 on the way in or out as it offers another incredible viewpoint. Island in the Sky is the most popular and heavily-trafficked section of Canyonlands, so try to visit on a weekday and avoid holidays. Be prepared for sun exposure (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) any time of year and bring water and snacks. There are no food or fuel services in the park.
Island in the sky is the busiest part of Canyonlands National Park, but we were there on a weekday and it wasn't particularly busy.
There are 2 roads in the park with turnoffs for viewpoints, hikingtrails and picknick areas.
Take care to bring enough water with you, after the visitor center there's no place to get some.
We did a morning driving tour of the Island in the Sky area of Canyonland National Park. Beautiful scenery and easy to drive roads. We saw quite a few things in our 1/2 day there. Don't know that I need to go back to this area of the park again.
After the winding drive up from Moab and hwy 191, the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, located just before The Neck, is a welcome sight. There is a viewpoint into Shaffer Canyon and a small picnic area directly across the road (watch traffic) that makes a good introduction to this most visited district of the large Canyonlands National Park. There are pit toilets provided and my family was amused by all the warnings and symbols for things like "Do not stand on toilet" "Do not squat on drain" "No firearms" etc. Someone must have tried it if they felt the need for the sticker. I think there were less warnings and prohibited activities when I toured a nuclear power plant! Anyway, the rangers here were helpful and friendly, as I expect park service employees to be ( unlike the surly ones we encountered at Arches). There is a small gift shop and also unlike Arches, you can actually buy gallon containers of water so you don't die of dehydration. If you are looking for edibles, though, you still have to bring your own, go to the food truck at the Deadhorse Point state park visitor center, or return to Moab.
What can one say about this except praise? I can say amazing, fantastic, wondrous, magical, mythical, out of this world? Just get in your car and come and visit, it is good to be alive and see these landscapes while we still can.
I finally got to see at least some of Canyonlands. It is beautiful and lived up to my expectation of the type of place I would love to spend alot more time exploring, but maybe when the weather is cooler. It has plenty of gorgeous views.
It is not quite Grand Canyon, but to me it is similar, yet prettier. The Grand Canyon is the gold standard of a huge, awe-inspiring canyon, but Canyonlands presents something beautiful and vast and that I think I could enjoy exploring over time.
Also, there's a lot of road and utility construction in Moab right now. I did not know, and got to town, and had to figure out how I could access my hotel. My hotel also had a sign that they would have no water on a certain day in Sept. due to construction. So check with the hotels in the area if you planning a trip.
As you stand looking out from Mesa Arch you truly do feel like you are sitting on an Island in the Sky. This place lives up to it's name. From Moab drive north for about 10 miles and take a left. On the way you can also visit Dead Horse Point. It is $25 to get into the Park, but the pass last several days. Once there you should visit the NP Visitors Center for information and also it is the only place in the Park to get water. You can fill up your water bottles only here. Apart from this there are no other services in the Park.
After the Visitors Center stop at Shafer Canyon Overlook and admire the 4WD track stretching down towards Potash and White Rim Roads. This area is a mecca for $WD enthusiasts, as you can witness from the number of 4WDs in Moab.
The walk to Mesa Arch is 0.3 miles 1 way and is a must do when visiting this area of Canyonlands. If you can get here early in the morning it is truly spectacular with the rising sun. The walk from Grand View Point along the cliff wall is about 1 mile and provides some truly amazing views over the Colorado and Green Rivers. Green River Overlook is a short detour and from here you can look down to the White Rim Road and the canyons below. Climbing Whale rock is a short walk for some spectacular views. Upheaval Dome is also an interesting short hike to witness a geologic phenomenon.
There are pit toilets at the Visitors Center and 4 places throughout the Park. Hiking here pretty much involves going down or up, so is strenuous, and it can be extremely hot, so take plenty of water.
Great National Park that you really should visit.
Took the adrift 4x4 trip with Charlie and had a great time seeing things others don't get to see. He was informative and polite. Seemed to have a vast knowledge of the area. Worth the money spent.
This was a breathtaking place, full of beauty and relative solitude. I will remember our time here for a long time.
This was our second stop on our trip through The Mighty Five. We stayed in Moab, which was a great starting point. The 45-minute scenic drive passed quickly. We arrived around 8:00 AM, and the area was very quiet. We started with a hike of the Grand View Point Trail. Amazing. I’ll never get over the view and feeling that I was on a cloud looking over another planet.
We also hiked Whale Rock and Mesa Arch. Whale Rock was not crowded. Mesa Arch was definitely the most populated trail by the time we got there, around lunchtime.
We are a pair of active adults in our mid-30s with a 3 year-old and a 7 month-old. We each carried a kid on all the hikes and had no issues.
Deep canyon views rival the grand canyon but without as many people. Visited in October, weather was perfect!
Island in the sky should be the most popular district among the 4 districts in the Canyonlands, however there is no normal regular (with flush) toilet available, only has vault toilet, so disappointed, the visitor center in the Needle district still has normal toilets. Despite the disappointed toilet, others are fine, just as other visitor centers, there are some exhibits, showing layer of rocks, animals, etc. in the park. Outside the visitor center, you can also take a look to the canyon, but the view is not very good, better look at it at the Shafer Canyon overlook which is just 2 min drive from visitor center
A great viewing spot that gives you a real idea of what's below. see the back roads of what is in Canton lands
This is one of my favourite parks. The scale is immense, even outpunching the Grand Canyon in that respect. It is scenery full of scars in the colorado plateau with strange rock formations. It is almost Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon merged into one immense landscape. Where some of the parks in this region can be described as pretty, this one is not. It is enormous and can overpower the senses when trying to take it all in. The park offers some great, well marked trails for hiking and the rangers will suggest the ones that fit your personal requirements.
Having enjoyed a full day here, we returned after dinner to stand and gaze at the stars in the dark sky. We saw other car lights in the distance from time to time but in our off-road location we were all alone to marvel at the beauty of the night sky.
We drove through Canyonlands "Island in the Sky" after seeing Arches NP and it did not disappoint. There are stunning views from every angle and the canyons seem to go on forever as they fade into the distance. We had our three young children with us (8,4,2) and each viewpoint was easy to get out and see with the kids. The Mesa Arch requires a short hike but is doable with kids and the Grand View Point has an optional 1 mile (one way) hike. We didn't do the hike but the viewpoint itself is mesmerizing! Overall the Island in the Sky is an easy drive with incredible views that can't be missed!
The easiest district to access at Canyonlands National Park. So many wonderful views along the drive and plenty of hiking options, for all skill levels.
The best views are near the end or the road, so persevere and you will be rewarded with magnificent views.
We enjoyed the information. The park rangers were very helpful. I was surprised to see some squat pit toilet options in addition to western style pit toilets.
Seems wrong you just walk across the street from the visitors center to see this--you should have to work harder. This and mesa arch are the two things you can't miss here. The pictures people loaded are accurate but you can't capture the panoramic to do it justice.
There is a considerable drive from the highway to reach Canyonlands National Park with Island in the Sky accounting for a major part of the northern Park. This is a busy Park so expect queues to enter. There are many hiking trails of different lengths and severity in the area as well as drive up to view points. Parking is quite limited at some locations. Go early to avoid the hottest part of the day.
My family and I visited Island in the Sky at Canyonlands National Park in early October. The area is an hour drive from Moab but because it isn’t as close to Moab as Arches NP, it sees far less traffic. The park didn’t charge us an entry fee which is nice considering many national parks want to charge $70 per vehicle. The visitor center is smaller than in most other parks but has the same amenities. There are limited facilities available and no lodging, fuel or restaurants near the park so come prepared. The park has both hiking trails as well as 4WD trails of various degrees of difficulty which should appeal to most people. There are some wonderful views of the canyons in the valley below which are must see. The entrance is near Dead Horse State Park which I would recommend visiting at the same time as Island in the Sky. Depending on the amount of hiking or 4WD you plan on doing, 1/2 day is adequate for Island in the Sky. The park is appropriate for people of all ages and abilities.
This is as magnificent as the Grand Canyon, but much less crowded. Arches, views, hikes, both long and short.
I'm giving this a '4' only because of the local park competition. If I were in Moab and could only visit one park, I'd go for Arches. Canyonlands is really nice, but what it offers is views of red rock canyons. Everyone in our party liked Canyonlands, but preferred Arches.
That said, we did enjoy Canyonlands. Note that the park is split into 2 - 3 areas. Islands in the Sky is the portion closest to Moab (a few miles north and then on a road to the west). The Needles section is south further from Moab; we did not make it there.
We started early in the day and tried to get in as much if the I.i.t.S. area as we could. We stopped first at the visitors' center (after a short wait at the fee station). There is a nice overlook across the road here. We next drove to Mesa Arch for a short hike to the arch (low and crowded). We then drove to Grand View Point for a longer hike out to the overlook; this was less crowded and nice for views (though it could get hot). We finished up by hitting a few other overlooks with very short walks from their parking areas. It took us from about 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to see all of the above sites / hikes.
Another note here is that there are NO food vendors in this area of the park. If you want food here, you have to bring it yourself. We opted to drive just outside the park and then enter Dead Horse Point SP where they have a small food-trailer vendor. Your other option is to drive back to Hwy 191 where there is some tourist trap / dino museum / restaurant available, but that is at least 10 miles.
If you have the time, this park is worthwhile and has great views. But don't skip Arches or Dead Horse Point SP either!
Canyonlands is huge and this section is one part. Its closest to Moab (about 30 mins). Its very remote, there is nothing around the park entrance. Its user friendly in terms of a paved road that lets you drive the length of the park with places to pull off for parking or photos, and a good map provided by the rangers that show different types of hikes and their distance. The rim walk, Mesa Arch, and Syncline Loop for those more adventurous are great options to see some of the amazing views. Early is always better for the national parks as they are wildly popular. Canyonlands isn't as crowded as nearby Arches, but still get there early to enjoy it if you can
Like all visitors centers, this has a wonderful introduction to canyonlands NP. The rangers are helpful in coordinating your trip with tips on hikes and walks.
This massive park has 3 major areas, but this is the best and most spectacular and the easiest the navigate. You can find dozens of hiking trails, but for those of us who are limited to our cars, you will not miss a thing. Great lookouts everywhere and lots of beautiful rock features.
There are several good reasons for stopping here before heading into the park. You can get good advice from the ranger about how to best use the time you have available to explore the park. Pick up a map. They can also tell you about the trails, and which ones would best meet your needs. Canyonlands park is more remote and less developed than other national parks, so you can use the restrooms here and fill up your water bottles. Nice gift shop too.
Take a few minutes to cross the road and walk to the observation point. Stunning scenery to get you started.
This area of the park is the most easily accessible from Moab. It contains a few hikes and lots of 4WD routes including the famous Shafer Trail. Less busy than its neighbour Arches the park includes a number of jaw dropping overlooks. On the way in / out of the park you can also visit Dead Horse Point state park and several more overlooks.
We visited Island in the Sky and loved the views. There is a short walk to see the grand views and great trails.
You do have to pay the national park fee, but it is well worth it.
I think Island in the sky is the first priority district to be visited in the Canyonlands National park, the view at the Green river overlook and at the Grand view point is fantastic and impressive, that you shouldn't miss. Also the Mesa arch is good, and the trail leading to the arch is easy, even a 3 years of kid can walk.
We stopped at Island In the Sky Visitor Center just for showing our national park pass, pick up the maps, quick skim through the little gift shop and a snap with the Canyonlands' topographic map. The Visitor Center is really small but very nicely organized.
Our wish-list did not include backpacking in the back country for 7 days (bringing our own food and water), nor did it include hauling a boat with a self-contained toilet and enough potable water for a long trip, nor do we have a sturdy high-elevation 4-wheel drive work horse. No, we are only city folks wanting to taste, touch, and feel this National Park without having a near-death experience.
"Island in the Sky" delivered on all fronts, leaving us none the worse for the wear and occasional tear. And it was in incredible amount of fun!
This district is the most accessible one of the 4 here in this park. Paved roads in no way threatened our family car (but we did have to pay attention to narrow curves in the road in spots) and the family inside handled things equally as well.
The Islands in the Sky composes roughly half of the park. It offers campgrounds, an visitor center, trail heads, overlooks. and 9 named hikes ranked between easy and moderate.
Some hikes a distance away (not on the top 9) are strenuous, meaning steep slopes, loose rocks, and deep sand (think quicksand here). Why go there? And who really has between 6 hours and overnight for one hike? Moving right along ...
The nine named hikes in "Island in the Sky" are:
Mesa Arch
White Rim Overlook
Grand View Point
Murphy Point
Upheaval Dome - first overlook
Upheaval Dome - second overlook
Whale Rock
Aztec Butte
In our 1/2 day allotment of time, we could only visit 4 of these, plus some additional really fantastic turn-out points on the road. Time matters, plan accordingly.
We will come back. This was a great first-time look-see and we were mightily impressed. These National Parks of ours are a true gift.
We only had a few hours and you could spend a few days here. It's warm in the summer. I live in the desert and am used to the temperatures. If you are not, please research the weather before you go. Bring a good hat with brim, appropriate footwear, and water. There are restrooms at the visitor center. Picnic tables are available at multiple spots. Currently you need to bring drinking water.
Regardless of how much preparation you may have done prior to your visiting Canyonlands, this reviewer always finds a discussion with a park ranger valuable, and that proved to be the case for this visit. I enjoy photography as well as hiking and I found the ranger tips for times that afford the best lighting for the various spots to be most helpful. You'll also find a worthwhile film at the center. Be advised that this park has no food facilities, so if you plan to spend the day, come prepared. You can find a few snacks and water, but the supplies are limited, so plan accordingly.
The view here is beyond beautiful! There is a cover to get out of the sun and you can drive to this. There is also steps where you can go to get a better view. Lots of people here but plenty of space. Great photo op
My family and I visited the Island in the Sky Visitor Center at Canyonlands NP in early October. The visitor center is a great first stop to get you oriented in the park. The visitor center is smaller than other visitor centers in other national parks but contains a gift shop, water fill stations and pit toilets. Parking is limited but because this park doesn’t see the traffic of other national parks in Utah it seemed adequate. My children (8, 9) wanted to do the Junior Ranger Program which is initiated and finishes at the visitor center. At the conclusion, they received a small junior ranger pin and learned about the park in the process. The Rangers assigned here seem to enjoy their jobs and are very enthusiastic. There is a lot of information available here to plan your trip and the visitor center should not be missed.
Viewpoint within walking distance of campground is breath-taking. It was WINDY!!! I was very glad to be in a camper van and not a tent as the van was rocking all night. We woke in the morning to a dusting of snow that made everything seem magical, and quickly melted away as the sun rose in the sky.
There may not be one amazing sight or viewpoint that defines this part of Canyonlands NP, but the expansive beauty of this area is undeniable. There are iconic sights like Mesa Arch, Grand Viewpoint, and Shafer Canyon, but the real amazement is when you explore some of the walks and hikes to truly appreciate the wonder around you.
The park staff is very helpful and knowledgeable as usual, and please thank them for keeping the park for all of us to enjoy.
Canyonlands is my favorite National Park because it's like a gem in the rough. It's gorgeous but you really have to get out into it to appreciate it's full beauty. One recommendation, rent a 4x4 or bring one with you!
We went to Island in the Sky to most of the stops where there were good view points due to physical limitations. If you are able to walk long distances at high altitudes, there are plenty of places to get better views of the scenery. The visitor center park rangers were very helpful.
Island in the Sky consists of the high triangular bluff positioned between the meandering paths of the Green and Colorado Rivers in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The cliff faces are some 2000 feet above the watercourses, offering some spectacular overlooks, especially at the southern point of the Island where the two rivers meet at the confluence, becoming the Colorado River before it flows into the Grand Canyon later on.
There are some good roads to the overlooks and many excellent hiking paths for visitors plus a helpful Island in the Sky visitor centre at the entrance. With a car, you can visit Island in the Sky in the same day as a visit to Arches National Park, which is relatively close by. I would recommend visiting Arches NP early to avoid the crowds, followed by a later trip to the Island in the Sky part of Canyonlands NP, which tends to be a little quieter. They are both spectacular in different ways: in Arches you are mainly looking up at giant rock formations, while in Island in the Sky your gaze is down the steep cliff-side and along the meandering watercourses shaded in a range of colours.
Having already visited Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, I thought Island in the Sky was a match for both, and together with Arches all were wonderful!
If you're coming to visit Moab and Arches, add an extra half day for Canyonlands. It's not overall as stunning as Arches but is more a 'best of' the local national parks: it has some arches, some hoodoos (like Bryce), canyon views (like the Grand Canyon), and lots of hiking. On clear days you can see the Rockies from Islands in the Sky, too. And it has far fewer crowds than the other parks, so it is much more pleasant to get around.
Canyonlands National Park has two major areas, the Island in the Sky section and the Needles District. The Island in the Sky section is on top of the mesa and has wonderful views on the canyons below. There are some terrific hikes and sights in this area including Mesa Arch and Grand View Point Overlook. Part of what makes Canyonlands interesting is that it has different areas that are diverse from each other. The views from this section of the park are amazing. There is so much beauty everywhere you look. I highly recommend a visit to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands.
Always wanted to experience this great wonder if the west. I was not disappointed, it is stupendous in its majesty. The view points were mindblowing at each station.
Less reknown than Arches but definitely worth a visit... great introduction before Grand Canyon itself.... a must do !
Great place to stop and use the restroom. They also have gallons of water available. The staff is friendly and the store is really good.
Phenomenal views and hikes! Don't miss this gem of 35 miles of hikes and views! This history is fascinating! Get the narrative for in depth information! You won't regret it!
A beautiful national park where you can see the Green River and slither of Colorado. This entrance to Canyon lands doesn't require much hiking to see the beautiful views.
We called on our way between Durango and Grand Junction and almost missed this fantastic awe-inspiring national park and view. You simply must stop. We kept to the paved roads and spent about 2 hours in the park which got us to most of the sights for a highlights tour. If you have longer then spend more time.
The views are as astonishing, if not more astonishing than the Grand Canyon.
A word of warning, the sun under clear skies is astonishingly strong (I was getting burnt through the car windows) so make sure that you have a hat, plenty of water and have applied the correct factor sunscreen.
There is some walking to be done across uneven surfaces to see some of the best viewpoints or sites but all but the most unsteady on their feet should be able to access them.
Also, the toilets (as one should expect) are very primitive so if you are fond of 21st century plumbing, stop for a restroom break in Moab.
The Visitor Centre is located just after entering the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park. Opening hours vary based on the season but were 9am to 4pm during our early April visit.
Note that there is a very good NPS website for Canyonlands NP which includes Visitor Centre services. It is advisable to research and review park details there while scheduling future visits to the Park.
At the Visitor Centre, there are rangers providing updated information regarding trail status and campground availability. This is also where you make reservations for permits for backcountry activity.
There is a small gift shop section, clean bathrooms and water refill stations at the Visitor Centre. You'll find general trail information as well as a small but interesting exhibition section regarding the unique geology and wildlife here in Canyonlands.
In the end, while smaller than visitor centres of other Mighty Five National Parks like Arches, we found the Island in the Sky Visitor Centre to be a useful stop to make for picking up maps and general information necessary to maximise your time in the NP.
There are a lot of places in the Island in the sky which you will love to spend time at. It truly is an Island and all around it is the natural beauty. Do visit Mesa Arch and Grand View Point if you have limited time.
The Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park is the most accessible of them all and features gorgeous views that help define the natural beauty of America. Turn off at every viewpoint and vista and you'll be a happy traveler.
A good place to top and get info if you haven’t. You can also get water here, and earn more about the park. Rangers were friendly.
A very special place with a whole heap of different experiences on offer, from hikes to scenic overlooks to dirt road canyon drives. Loved it. Highly recommend a visit - ideally with a 4x4 if you want to do the canyon descent.
We spent about 5 hours driving the main roads and doing a couple short hikes. Definitely a must-do when in the Moab area!
Canyonlands is four miles from the Dead Horse Point turnoff and under an hour drive from Moab. Make sure you gas up in Moab as there are no gas stations in this whole stretch. We stopped at the Visitor Center – very nice. Water and bathrooms at Visitor Center . There are bathrooms at other stops but not water. Canyonlands is divided into four different areas. Island in the Sky is the area closest to Moab. It is known for its spectacular views into the deep canyons and to the far horizon. Stopped at Mesa Arch. It is .5 mile easy hike. Also hiked to Upheaval Dome. .5 mile hike to the Dome – almost exclusively a step hike– short but steep. It is more like a crater hole than a dome. Maybe we were just tired, but not impressed.
Green River lookout is worth the drive. (Near Mesa Arch). The lookout is at the end of the parking lot. Here you see the Green River meandering in the distance. At Dead Horse point you saw the Colorado River. Beautiful park and we enjoyed our stay.
Best place to start your tour as you get the best advise so as not to waste any time on your visit, very helpful people
Great breathtaking views... have been at different times of the year and always worth it. Cant wait till next trip
Canyonlands is a vast park w 3 separate entrances. The Islands in the sky entrance is easily accessed from the highway north of Moab. The drive into the park is beautiful as well. We enjoyed the main drive thru the park and hit all of the overlooks in 4 hours.
There is a short orientation film to the park, a few exhibits and a pretty small gift shop, especially when compared to Arches and other national parks in the area. Be prepared that there is no food and drink available, however drinking water is available outside (near the picnic seating). Vault (primitive) toilets are located outside the visitor center. A great place if your kids want to get their National Park passport stamped and to pick up Junior Ranger materials.
Beautiful views of the canyonlands and several hiking trails to see many rock formations. There are several overlooks just off the road as well as other not so easy overlooks they require a little hiking. Overall a great visit and breathtaking views.
We enjoyed the drive up with Navitec folks and had a great trip up the Potash Rd. to Shaver Rd which ends in Canyonlands National park.
Island in the Sky is so beautiful and well organized. The scenic drive is wonderful by itself. Definitely see the Mesa Arch and Grand Outlook.
This is the most easily accessible of the districts within Canyonlands, and I simply loved my time here. It costs $30 to enter the park, and it’s well worth it!
Canyonlands NP consists of three major areas. We visited only Island in the Sky so I cannot compare it to the other areas but only say that it offers beautiful and impressive scenery.
My favorite in Island in the Sky was the Mesa Arch. I also recommend Green River overlook and Grand View Point overlook. All these are easy to access so you should not skip them.
If you are visiting all the National Parks in the area - it is tough to make a choice between Moab, Arches and Canyonlands. Island in the sky is the farthest way - BUT, it also has the least amount of congestion and traffic. Find a way to include this in your plans. The views and landscape are just out of this world. You will likely not be disappointed.
While we preferred the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, we found Islands District well worth the hours we spent there.
islands has a 12 site campground available on a first come first served basis. No water or hookups. $15/nt.
Islands has 34 miles of scenic drive (RT). There are even more high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicle roads. There are many hiking trails, some longer ones require a permit. We did a few of the shorter ones.
Mesa Arch is 1/2 mile loop. The walk is not easy, nor is it too hard. Unfortunately, it is popular and to get a picture of the arch here without someone else in from taking a selfie or group photo is nearly impossible . This is a highly traveled trail. This park is too crowded, and it is only May!
The small VC, has a movie, that we watched (they have the same one at Needles) but few others did.
Absolutely plan some time to visit Island in the Sky while in the Moab area. It's about a 40 minute drive from town. There are plenty of hikes and overlooks to keep you busy for a day or even more. We enjoyed Mesa Arch, the Grand View Trail and saw most of the overlooks. It does get hot hot hot in the summer months, so go early in the AM or come back in the evening for your hikes. The visitor center only has vault toilets but they were extremely clean and even smelled pretty good when we were there!
We had about four hours available. The drive is about 45 minutes from Moab. The visitors center has water to fill bottles and put toilets. We were looking for about 3 h ours of hiking. Decided to hike to Mesa Arch (.8 mile roundtrip) and to the second upheaval done observation point (1.8 miles roundtrip). Both hikes were great. Mesa Arch is simple, short and pays off with a cool arch and a great view of the canyon. The upheaval is an exposed hike that requires a lot of water and sunscreen. Some of the hike is exposed to cliffs and on bare sandstone. While it doesn't rain much on the mesa, I would not hike it if it is wet.
The uniqueness of CNP is that you are able to view so many different canyons, rock formations, colorful depressions and a vast area as far as your eyes can see. The multiple areas of CNP will offer so much variety during your visit that you will anxiously await your next stop during your time at CNP.
Really enjoyed the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park. Didn't have time to do the Needles section so cannot compare. If you are not doing a lot of hiking and biking you can easily hit the major sites in 2-3 hours. In that time we did the Visitor Center, Grand View Point, Green River Overlook, Buck Canyon and Shafer Canyon overlooks and enjoyed one of the picnic areas for a little lunch. While there were stops where they said you could see the Green & Colorado Rivers, I don't recall the views of the rivers being that great. Better at Dead Horse State Park.
Lots of great hiking opportunities. The views and vistas are incredible. Make sure to check out as much as you have time for.
This is a small Visitors Center about a mile after the entrance to the Park. I has toilets and a place to fill your water bottles. There is a small display on the geology of the Park and also on the history of people living in the area. The staff here are very friendly and have plenty of advice for you to enjoy your time in the Islands in the Sky. You can also pick up all of your Canyonlands souvenirs here plus get maps and books to help you. Plus get your back country permits here. During Spring & Summer it is open 8-4.
Worth a stop,
This stop helped us to plan our day at Canyonlands. The park rangers were very helpful and kind. This is the perfect introduction to the park with a bathroom stop to be safe! They provide a helpful overview of the hikes that were rated from easy to moderate. The gift shop had some great books and we threw in a walking stick for good measure!
When you enter the Canyonlands National Park, make sure you drive to the Island in the Sky District and see the wide variety of plateaus, mesas, and different rock formations, and dips in the land. There are huge caverns that allow you to look down and see the rivers as well. This is a beautiful place that should not be missed.
The scenery here exceeded our expectations. Many areas reminded us of the Grand Canyon. There are all kinds of interesting geological formations, sweeping vistas, deep canyons, hiking tails, etc.
Remember to bring food and water - there are no services in the park.
The staff were very helpful and I liked the collection they have there. The washroom were clean. I would like to visit the Needles district next time in future.
I think, one of the main purpose of life is to do what you like, and for me what I like it's everything that can make me feel something different, and to be on the top of a mountain is on of them, this is a beautiful place to spend your time with friends, because although you're going to walk a lot, the higher you are, the bigger your experience will be and the emotion you'll feel. Don't be afraid of something, take risk, run, cry, jump because that's the purpose of life.
Helpful rangers and good park store. Lots of good information and parking here. Good material offered on hiking options.
Don't miss this view. Take the time to bring a snack or full picnic. The hike is well worth the the time as you look over the edge and all the variation of color, rock and textures. The hike is an average skill hike.
The vistas in this park are amazing. You will never see such incredible sights anywhere else. Make sure you hit them all and do one if the short hikes. Get there before 8am to avoid the crowds.
A truly beautiful place but there is no rv parking at the visitor center , and at most of the overlooks the few rv spots were occupied by cars .Our rig is only 25 feet long but still had to pass up a couple of photo sites because of an inability to find a safe spot. Still awesome views abound!!!
This is the main contact station for Canyonlands. It is a small Visitor Center. My main complaint is that there isn't a dedicated location for tour buses to drop off - you will get blocked in if you are in handicapped parking.
This is my wife's favorite place and is a must stop in Utah. The views are magnificent and stunning in all directions. Great trails and easy access to amazing views. Make sure you make the short walk to Mesa Arch and take in the view through the arch.
This is an amazing place to visit! The views of the canyons of the Green and Colorado Rivers are fantastic! We took a hike on the Shafer Trail Road to viewpoints from Gooseneck Overlook where the views were beautiful. Island in the Sky is one section of Canyonlands National Park, and it is not to be missed. There is a small visitor center with restrooms and a gift shop. There are also many picnic tables where you can sit, relax, enjoy a picnic lunch and take in the views. Although Canyonlands is not visited as much as the other National Parks, if you are anywhere in the area, it is well worth seeking it out and spending time there.
Unforgettable views and unusual rocks, mountains and structures. Well worth the drive to the Canyonlands National Park. Hikes are a little rough for older senior citizens. You can see a lot just by driving through the park and getting out at the view points. We are so fortunate to have so many great parks in America just waiting for us to discover and wonder.
Shout out to the rangers and an honest visitor to the park. While visiting the amazing sites in the park, I dropped by wallet, which I didn't discover until later that evening. An honest visitor picked it up and turned it in to a ranger. From there, he tracked me down through my Automobile Association (in Canada) and I received a call. The ranger also found me on Facebook and messaged me. Fortunately I was still in the area and was able to come back the next day to pick it up...everything in tact including the $250 in cash.
Thank you to the rangers and to the honest person who found my wallet turned it in. Thia confirms my faith in people doing the right thing! Happy ending to a very happy visit to Island in the Sky at Canyonlands.
Favourites: Gooseberry Trail, Grand View Point, Mesa Arch.
Island is like natures balcony! Feels like you are on top of the world. It is an unforgettable experience leaves you in awe! ⛰️
Stop by take a few pictures and pick up your park brochure here. My second brochure this trip so far. Shooting for all five NP’s, and several state parks.
The visitor center is a great place to grab some information before you head out on your adventure to explore this magnificent park. There are bathrooms here as well which is nice and as always the rangers inside are helpful and friendly. Nice thing is right across the street there is place to look out and see the Shafer trail winding its way through the canyon below.
Plan some time so you aren't rushed. There are some very easy hikes, some places that are right next to the road and a few longer (1 to 2 miles) hikes. You should enjoy the ride in and out and not rush.
This is a great start on Canyonlands. Easy access and no hiking and very awesome views.
Worth the visit.
This is a nice national park. It’s really lovely scenery but the hiking seems to be either easy short trails or really long intense trails. We land somewhere in the middle so ended up doing the easy hikes today. We spent about five hours there. The best part about it is that it was very quiet!
Having been to both the South and North Rim of the Grand Canyon I wasn’t optimistic about being awed here. Was I wrong! It is more vast - by far. You get these wonderful vistas overlooking the white Mesa, that is then carved with multiple rivers. If you are in Moab, make time for this park.
I think I would advise those who want to get out of the car and explore to spend more time here and less time in Arches. The Green River overlooks, the hikes to spectacular geological formations, and all with far smaller crowds than Arches. All of this is very worthwhile.
Island in the Sky is a sheer-walled mesa that constitutes the northern part of Canyonlands National Park. We had amazing views out over the surrounding country, including rugged canyons that have been carved by the Colorado and Green rivers. We also visited Dead Horse Point and had a picnic at Willow Flat Campground. Great trip, and beautiful scenic drive.
Here is found a fantastic view, especially as winter comes on and the mountains beyond are snow capped. While not a expansive or deep as the Grand Canyon, the colors compare and when you look at the bottom, you can see there is another canyon inside the canyon. So peaceful, worth the drive.
Canyonlands National Parks is divided into three main areas with the northern section known as Island in the Sky. It is probably the most frequently and easily visited section of the park. All the main sites are easily accessible as you are situated on the high ground above the rivers and canyons below. The main sites are Mesa Arch (not to be missed), Green River Overlook, Grandview Point Overlook and Upheaval Dome. You can easily spend the better part of a day visiting the key spots and several of the additional overlooks, more time if you plan to hike a bit given the various options. Make sure to stop at the visitor center to speak with a Ranger for hiking tips, particularly for various weather conditions. We prefer to visit places like Canyonlands in the spring or fall to avoid the high temperatures (80-100+) that are common in the summer months. Upheaval Dome is a short hike (~.6 mile RT) to the viewpoint. This is perhaps the least impressive of the features of Island in the sky. I would suggest visiting Upheaval Dome and Green River Overlook in the AM and save Mesa Arch for later in the day for those interested in the best lighting for pictures. The best short hike in the park is a 2 mile RT rim hike that begins at Grand View Point Overlook. It is largely level and takes you along the rim, offering spectacular vistas of the canyons below.
They were very helpful in providing advice on what to see given the time available. The restroom facilities are extremely primitive. And note that the park entrance is about 25 miles from main highway.
The Island in the Sky is the northern section of Canyonlands National Park. The entrance is located 30 miles southwest of Moab, making a day trip and full day of hiking and sightseeing quite convenient. Here you will find impressive, deep canyon and crater impact areas and splendid desert scenery.
There is a useful Visitor Centre shortly after entering the NP as well as a rewarding scenic drive south to the Grandview Point Overlook. Here visitors are treated to world class panorama views into the distance. Buttes, canyons, the famous White Rim Road in the lower canyon make up remarkably dramatic landscape.
A handful of impressive stops await visitors along the Scenic Drive. These include the Shafor Road Overlook, where you can see a most impressive trail road scaling the side of the cliffs up to Canyonlands. There is a short stop and hike to see Mesa Arch that is a nice and picuresque land formation worth seeing.
Driving south along Grandview Point Overlook Road, you can turn northwest after Mesa Arch and visit the Upheaval Dome area of the NP. Great short hikes and viewpoints await visits here as well. The landscape here is geologically very impressive. It is generally considered that the area is the result of meteorite impact. However, there is reason to believe it may have been the result of a salt dome uplift as well. Either way, drastic beauty awaits for those who visit.
We spent 3/4 of a day in the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands, taking in the scenic drives, viewpoints as well as the short hikes at Grandview Point Overlook, Mesa Arch and Upheaval Dome. This was a brilliant day and gave us much reason to want to return for more time in Canyonlands in the future.
Note: Deadhorse Point is within range of Island in the Sky and can be combined if you want to spend a bit of time in this State Park just outside Canyonlands National Park during a long day trip from Moab.
The Island in the Sky Visitor Center was our first and last stop in Canyonlands National Park. It is just past the entrance gate and there is a great overlook right across the street. It had what you expect at a National park visitor center including restrooms, gift shop, displays and rangers available for questions. We grabbed souvenirs and Junior Ranger books for the kids. After seeing the park we stopped back in to collect their badges. Nice facility with very helpful personnel.
A small visitor center at CNP than other national parks we have been to. We did access some assistance from the Park Rangers, along with the purchase of some NP merchandise. If you really have to use the restroom, just beware they are outside and can be quite interesting depending on what you need to do......LOL
Very nice scenic drives, beautiful hikes, some very interesting arches and views, a very wonderful experience. If you’re here don’t forget to visit dead horse state park. It also has some wonderful views very nice and relaxing walks. Definitely will be back.
Amazing Vistas in this part of Canyonlands NP. Our favorites were Mesa arch and Grand View. Upheaval dome was okay.
Simply Beautiful, breathtaking views. Make sure to stop in to the visitor center. You can make a full day of it or multiple days of spectacularly beautiful views.
Very quiet and although cold the sun was up and the sky blue and the view just went on and on.
Very good time to visit as their are few visitors and any hikes out are comfortable due to the low temperatures.
The whole park is a wonder of nature and this is our second time visiting .
The drive to get to the Needles is long and I didn't realise that the Island and the Needles were separate. To get from the Needles to the Island you have to drive all the way out of the park, around the outside and back in. I didn't leave enough time to do this so I missed out on this completely.
First time in Moab area. Arches had so many people lined up to enter so went to Islands in the Sky, Canyonlands to escape the crowds and absorb the beauty of the area. Not disappointed. Wonderful day of hiking and vistas for miles. Can’t wait to come back.
Very nice overlook with a little walking. Very worth while stop and a little time. Nice park. Have to stop
The Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands is spectacular and well worth an entire day to see without rushing. Lots of pull outs and overlooks along with short walks to amazing views. You don't have to be in great shape to enjoy all of the incredible scenery. It's well worth the time and extra steps to do the short walks at many of the turnouts to get to spectacular overlooks and canyon views.
For a visit, you need to be totally prepared with all the food, water, and fuel you need as there are no services in the park. NONE. Also, there are sheer cliffs and dropoffs on the trails, and nothing to stop you from going off. So if you take a child(ren), you must know where they are at all times! This is a remote, wild, and beautiful area.
That said, we stopped at several overlooks, but hiked the Grand View Trail (about a mile along the edge of the canyon rim, one way). It is awesome, but as stated, if you are not paying attention, you could easily slip off and plunge into the canyon. So be warned.
We also visited the Mesa Arch, which is about .3 miles one way. Take the trail to the left, and come back the opposite way. Another gorgeous view, but precipitous at the edge, where most people take photos. So be extremely careful!
For us to go to just these two places took a total of four hours, and it was not crowded. We enjoyed them both, and took our time at each. But you'll need to do that if you're visiting in a hot time of the year, as you'll need a break now and then to sip some water and enjoy the amazing views!
The drive from Moab to Islands in the Sky takes about 35 minutes. The $25 entrance fee covers 7 days in the park. Water to fill a bottle is only available at the Visitor Center, but you need much more than that. So get plenty of bottles of water at the City Market in Moab before you drive up. You'll need 2 or 3 for each hike in the heat. Pit toilets are available in several locations for your "comfort." Enjoy!
The Island in the Sky is one of the most impressive geological formations you'll see in Canyonlands.
About 3/4 of the way from Green River Great Overlook junction towards Upheaval Dome there is a little lay-by which from there you can walk towards the canyon. Walking to the edge brings you to one of the most remarkable viewpoints in the park.
Just be sensible as their is no marked path.
Truly unmissable!
I admit, this was the only section of Canyonlands National Park I had the chance to enjoy, but SO so worth it! Nature in all it's stunning beauty, buttes & canyons galore coupled with bits of history of what might've been. Take your time, keep your camera handy, & bring plenty of water for when it gets warm!
Stunning vistas at every rise, arches with idyllic scenes, accessible trails, and surprisingly active wildlife, Islands in the Sky is a must stop at Canyonlands, The Visitor Center is well worth spending some time. Well curated, stopping there first will make your visit all the more enjoyable, and safer if you follow the Park Rangers' advice. Mesa Arch is a must, with amazing views across the park. (Tip: Try to avoid crowded times and you'll see more wildlife.)
As we only had one day to devote to visiting Canyonlands NP, we decided to focus on the Island in the Sky section. We got there early in the morning, around 7:15, so there was no line to get in as the fee station was not yet open. We began with Mesa Arch, a quick and satisfying hike to see this iconic viewpoint. We then moved a short distance to Aztec Butte. Really, this was not a hike to be missed, especially the smaller butte with the ancient granary storage. The views were great, although the hike to the taller butte was a little challenging in spots (our first day at altitude). We also spent some time at Upheaval Dome and ate our lunch at one of the picnic tables there. We spent the next few hours driving to all the other overlooks and taking lots of pictures. This is quite an impressive park, and we look forward to delving deeper on our next visit to the area.
Spent a morning here. Liked Grandview point overlook, Shafer canyon overlook. Lovely views of canyons and rivers flowing through them, plus the La Sal mountain. Well maintained road and good parking. Should not be missed.
This is not a riff on the Park Service. I was just frustrated that the visitors Center was not open when we were there in the end of December. My daughter loves the Jr. Ranger Program.
Located 1.1 miles (1.8k) beyond the entrance station ($25 per car for 7 days, annual and lifetime passes are also accepted), the visitor center is a good place to stop on the way in to get oriented to this large portion of Canyonlands as well as get information on the less visited areas of the park. The visitor center is open daily from early March to late December, other than Christmas Day, from 8am to 5pm with reduced hours of 9am to 4pm starting in autumn through late December.
While the visitor center is quite small without a lot of exhibits, the range desk is well staffed with friendly and knowledgeable rangers with plenty of printed materials and advice, has a small theater with a good park film, and a surprisingly good book store for such a small facility. It is important to note that the visitor center is the only place to get drinking water in the Island in the Sky and then only from spring through fall; so if you did not bring any water or have little, be sure to fill-up. In addition, there is no food available and only vault toilets are available at the visitor center and elsewhere at the Island in the Sky.
While you are at the visitor center, be sure to walk across the street and take in the views from an overlook of Shafer Canyon. While there is a better overlook of the same canyon a bit further down the road, the view here is very good and worthwhile. I guess the visitor center does not need a lot of exhibits if you have the real thing across the road.
This section is a bit more visited because of its proximity to Moab. There are stunning views but I enjoyed Needles more. I recommend stopping at the Mesa Arch, Upheaval Dome and Grand View Point. Views are spectacular but it lacks the colors of the Needles District. People say it’s better than the Grand Canyon. I don’t agree.
So many beautiful vistas along the scenic drive in Islands in the Sky. We were impressed by the viewpoints looking down on Shafer Trail. There is a narrow roadway along the mountainside. We were not brave enough to attempt it. Looks like quite an adventure!
The drive form Moab is about an hour. Our first hike was to Mesa Arch. A nice short hike with a beautiful destination. Then over to Upheaval Dome for lunch.
Then on to the Green River Overlook, Buck Canyon Overlook and finally Grand View Point Overlook.
For us, Island in the Sky District was about the views. You can find them everywhere.
Canyonlands is beyond beautiful, and Island in the Sky shows off the best of it. Canyons, within canyons within canyons that go on as far as the eye can see. Bring your camera and prepare to be wowed!
We spent most of a day at Island in the Sky. The rim views of the Green and Colorado rivers show the way water has cut through rock to forge true canyons. There were a number of lookouts and three comfortable hikes--Mesa Arch, White Rim, and Grand View Point. A lovely park
Canyonland Island in the Sky holds so much to see that it can be quite overwhelming. There are great hikes (some fairly short and some longer ones) so it is a great place for all ages. I can go on and on about Canyonland, but unless you actually visit there it is hard to imagine the beauty of the wilderness of countless canyons and majestic buttes carved by the Colorado River!
Lots to learn about and a few hands on displays. Good movie ( need to mount the TV on wall so people in back can see!), and a great gift shop. Rangers are friendly and eager to help! Ranger Robby was great.
Canyonlands was a third stop on our National Parks Road Trip. We entered the park coming from Bryce Canyon, not much traffic, plenty of road signs well placed directing us to Canyonlands, Island in the Sky. Scenic Road was breathtaking. We went around the loop stoping on the overviews, it was gorgeous there.
We spent 5 hours at island in the sky enjoying the spectacular views. Especially enjoyed the Mesa Arch. It is represented in so many pieces of art.
With only a few hours to visit the park before a plane flight, the NPS ranger at the entry gate had the answer to my question before I was even finished asking: Grand View Point Overlook, including the Island in the Sky.
At the farthest point from the entrance, this is a great place to start before working your way back. There are vast views of the Canyonlands expanse in multiple directions, including the Grand Canyon-like Island in the Sky.
The parking area will likely be filled...you might want to park on the roadside before reaching the packed parking lot.
If you are coming with a photographic intent, hope for sun with high clouds
Everywhere you stop, Islands in the Sky has amazing views down onto the canyons below. It looks as though you're on another planet! There is a really good trail from Grand View Point Overlook, and at the other end of the drive, Mesa Arch and Upheaval Dome are both also worth a visit.
You might be tempted to skip the visitors' centers in the national parks, but take the time to visit even if it is a brief visit. You'll make the most if your time in the park by getting a brief orientation and talking to the rangers. They are enormously helpful and informative.
This portion of Canyonlands is fairly small, it's pretty easy to do in 1⁄2 a day or so. The hikes and attractions are located fairly close to the road, you can do some hiking if you would like. The mesa arch and the rim trail are two items not to be missed.
If you are looking for information or need a back country permit this is where you come. The rangers give talks through out the day on various subjects about how the park came about, how the geological layers where formed and other points of interest through out the park. The station it's self is not that big and the parking lot will fill up fast during talks and first thing in the morning with people getting permits, something to thing about.
The Good: The rangers here are informative, give great tips and ideas of what to do and see at this park
The Bad: The parking is limited
The Ugly: some of the people driving crazy trying to get a parking space
On the scuba bubble scale of 1 to 10 I give this visitor station 6 bubbles
This is the main section of Canyonlands National Park. Around every turn, a new excellent vista awaits. This is a definite must see when in the area.
We weren't sure what we were going to see but it was breathtaking! It was a winding road with many pull off to catch different spectacular views. Well worth the $25 to get in. We will try to get back to see it again before we leave the area!!
Go to Arches early in the morning to avoid the crowds, and then make the short drive to the Islands in the Sky portion of Canyonlands. An easy drive from one vista point to the next, with plenty of parking and restrooms.
It was a nice view but would rather have spent a second day at Arches. Canyon lands was ok but nothing unique or breathtaking.
The drive to Grandview Point is spectacular. Every turnout has breathtaking scenery on all sides. The park is full of trails to take for more scenic enjoyment. The park has no food, gas, and only a water fountain at the Visitor's Center so you may want to bring those with you. There are picnic tables in the park for a picnic with an awesome view.
If you plan on hiking the visitor center is very useful. Also gift shop always fun and informative books.
Rangers helped me to find attractions I’d heard of. Movie was informative. I bought a microfiber handkerchief with the local rock layers on it as well as books and maps and a fun bag in which to carry them.
This is a highly recommended stop to orient newcomers to Canyonlands.
A thin comb or neck of mesa only just large enough for a two lane road gains access to the island, surrounded on all sides by magnificent views. Short walks from parking lots bring extravagant vistas into view though there are longer hikes and opportunity for deeper adventure. Please spend time at the visitor center to orient yourself and to decide which stops to visit. You may choose to return for sunrise at Mesa Arch but please get there very early as it is quite popular. I enjoyed it at midday but wished I could have arrived before the sun.
Some like the views here better that what’s found in Grand Canyon National Park. I believe it will impress you.
It's not on the map, but find it! It's moderate, but offers some sweet climbing. The switchbacks are very loose, so be careful. It's also unmarked, but if you park at the Alcove Spring pull out you can access the trial. Park then cross the road and walk back about 100 yds. You'll see a twisted wood barrier, this is where you begin. The trail is not always obvious, but stay right. Great hike and the view is spectacular!
For the benefit of those who are just starting their research, "Island in the Sky" and "Needles" are the two areas that make up Canyonlands National Park. "Island in the Sky" is closer to Moab; about 40 minutes. Needles is a longer drive and more primitive in nature.
We visited Island in the Sky on a cold December day.
*We started with a quick stop at the overlook across from the Visitor Center for a fist taste of the park.
*We then drove to Shafer Canyon Overlook for spectacular views.
*We continued driving further, to Mesa Arch Trailhead. The Mesa Arch trail is only 0.5 miles and Mesa Arch is spectacular! You can walk right up to this majestic arch and take in the views on the other side.
*We then drove to Aztec Butte Trailhead. This trail is about 2.0 miles and you should plan about 1.5 hrs to complete it. Note that there are two buttes; the first one that you reach is called Lower Butte, and you can follow the trail to an Ancestral Puebloan Pantry; really cool to see. Then you go back down the Lower Butte and continue on to Aztec Butte. Amazing views from both buttes.
*Continued our drive and stopped at Buck Canyon Overlook for more amazing views.
*Drove on to our last stop, Grand View Point. There is a trail here, the Grand View Point Trail which is about 2.0 miles and will take at least 1.5 hrs to complete. If you are like me and take lots of pictures, then it will take you longer. It took us a little over 2 hrs. Here you will hike along the rim, and the views are out of this world!
This was a great visit to Island in the Sky, Canyonlands! It combined a few easy hikes, overlooks and amazing views!
Islands in the Sky is a beautiful place to visit in Canyonlands. There are many hikes---from the short and easy, to very difficult. Absolutely worth visiting this place. The views and the scenery are spectacular.
There is such stark and unusual beauty in this landscape, don't be surprised if you feel overwhelmed by it all. It really does feel as if you are on an island in the sky. It was very hot when we visited and there were many visitors in the park. We still enjoyed the views and experiencing this land. Very accessible to all when visiting and driving by car. Wow!
This area of the park is like the high-elevation observation deck which sits atop a high plateau. It has several great overlooks accessible from roadside stops, including the Green River Overlook, Buck Canyon Overlook, and the Shafer Canyon Overlook. The latter is located just past the park visitors center, and gives great views not only of the scenery, but also of a jeep road on a lower plateau. It looked adventurous and fun, but our vehicle wasn’t suitable for it. At the end of the park road is the Grand View Point, which is at the tip of the mesa about 12 miles from the visitors center. From here, canyons stretch as far as you can see. Probably the most-photographed feature in the park is the Mesa Arch, and the half-mile round trip hike to get to it isn’t bad at all. Be aware that this arch is perched on the edge of a cliff, so don’t lean back while posing for photos! The other hike we took and liked in Island in the Sky was the Upheaval Dome Trail. This one involves about a mile hike roundtrip, and it’s largely uphill to the first overlook, but still wasn’t too strenuous. This one lets you get a closer look at an interesting formation scientists think is either a salt dome pushed up by overlaying rocks, or a crater from a meteor.
The Island in the Sky Visitor Center at Cayonlands is a simple visitor center. There are restrooms available and there is a small gift shop. There are maps available and the rangers are glad to give advice about good hikes and sights. I always like to stop at the visitor center when visiting a national park. It helps me to figure out what I want to do on that visit and there are many resources available to learn what will be a good adventure for that day. It is also a good place to get a stamp in my National Parks Passport.
Canyonlands National Park is an extremely impressive National Park. The one word that I associate most with that park is “Massive!”
The National Park Service’s website for Canyonlands carries a simple headline, “A lifetime of exploration awaits you”, which is a simple truth. Because of the scope of the experiences that await, careful planning of your trip to Canyonlands is certainly necessary. The park encompasses 337,598 acres of canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches and spires in the heart of Utah’s high desert.
Rivers divide Canyonlands into four sectors: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze and the rivers themselves. Island in the Sky is the most accessible district offering expansive views from many overlooks along the paved scenic drive, several hikes of varying length and a moderate four-wheel drive route called The White Rim Road.
The Needles offers a more remote, more backcountry experience, requiring hiking or four-wheel driving to access attractions.
The Maze is even more remote requiring considerably more time and self-reliance to visit.
Our plan for this visit focused on The Island in the Sky district. Our plan was to simply drive along the 34-mile-long-roundtrip-scenic drive stopping at 8 scenic overlooks along the way. The overlooks included: Shafer Canyon Overlook; Grandview Overlook; Mesa Arch; Green River Overlook; Buck Canyon Overlook; Grand View Overlook; Orange Cliffs Overlook; and Candllestick Tower Overlook. We did not plan on doing any hiking of the fourteen trails within the district given the limited time we had.
We did not rush of stops at the overlooks concentrating on capturing a good record of the changing realities of the park. We were able to comfortably complete the roundtrip on the scenic drive in well less than 4 hours
The Visitor Guide presents this guidance regarding alternative objectives for journeys of various lengths:
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR DAY
First, stop at the visitor center for current information on
trails, roads, ranger programs, weather, or to watch the
park movie.
In 2 hours you can: Drive to Big Spring Canyon Overlook,
and hike the Pothole Point trail along the way. Enjoy a
picnic and view the Needles from the picnic area.
In 4 hours you can: Explore the scenic drive and graded dirt
roads. Hike the Cave Spring, Pothole Point, and Roadside
Ruin trails, or the longer Slickrock trail.
I
n 8 hours you can: After exploring the scenic drive, hike to
Chesler Park Viewpoint or around the Big Spring–Squaw
Canyon loop. Enjoy lunch on the trail.
Sunrise and Sunset: Sunrise is spectacular from the
campground area, especially along the short trail between
loops A and B.
It must be obvious that we consider Canyonlands National Park in Utah as one of the greatest of our National Parks! We clearly consider it a MUST VISIT and therefore RECOMMEND IT MOST HIGHLY.
Omg, this was a ball buster, if you go in the summer I would suggest full camel pack plus another 32 oz. The terrian is challenging, you will be decending over 1400 ft on unstable rocks on the edge of life or death, make sure you wear hiking shoes not tennis shoes as you need all the grip you can get and you need the latteral support. Once you get to the bottom you will walk several miles in the wash then loop up heart attack hill. Pay attention to carins to lead you back to the top, we made the mistake of missing it and back tracked an extra 2 miles. If you have a tracking device it will be helpful as you can retrace your steps and find your way. Climbing back up will be a challenge especially if it is hot, you will be exposed to the elements. Bring food and tell someone where you are going.
We were there on a very rainy, overcast day, but the canyons were still impressive...especially when the sun came out over the canyons and cast beautiful highlights. Go even if it's crummy weather.
5-stars for the place itself; 1-star because it's now over-run with tourists. A lot of the charm has been paved over; I miss the gravel roads.
We were very surprised to find access to Arches National Park closed upon arrival so we checked into our hotel early and asked for their recommendation. They suggested going to Canyonlands - Islands in the Sky area… Great choice! The drive was scenic and we stopped at the overlooks. The sights were incredible and we finished at dusk. It was an excellent Plan B.
Island in the Sky, also known as Between the Rivers, is the most visited and easily reached and perhaps the most scenic attraction in Canyonlands National Park. Located close to Moab, Utah and Arches National Park, it is the highest section of Canyonlands, with an average elevation of 6,100 feet, and the access road passes many spectacular and breath-taking viewpoints of the deep twisting canyon on either side. The road runs along a narrowing ravine or Seven-Mile Canyon, climbs the steep cliffs on the south side, then ascends more gently over uneven, partly wooded ground to the flat grasslands in the center of the plateau. The flat land at the top of the Island in the Sky mesa becomes narrower towards the south as the river confluence approaches. After the visitors center, the first viewpoint is Shafer Canyon to the east, then the mining settlement of Potash and a meadow known as Grays Pasture. At a fork in the road, follow the West road past the main campground and an overlook of the Green River at Willow Flat, then descend gradually to the end of the mesa at Upheaval Dome. Near the road junction are two short trails, one to Mesa Arch and one to the White Rim and the Green River. The remaining five miles of the main road cross a rather narrow plateau, past several overlooks, including Buck Canyon, Candlestick Tower, Murray Point, Gooseberry Canyon and the Orange Cliffs. The park road ends at Grand View Point, which offers magnificent vistas across the Colorado canyons and the spires of Monument Basin to the distant La Sal Mountains in the east and the Needles area to the south. A further one-mile, 20-minute walk southwards along the Grand View Trail leads to the very end point of the Island in the Sky plateau, where the cliffs drop away in all directions and the canyons of both rivers can be seen. There are places in Canyonlands where you are alone and can't hear a sound. It is an erie experience, one a native of Chicago isn't used to. At times, in certain spots, Island in the Sky feels that way.
This is a small National Park Visitor centre compared to the others I visited in Utah.
There is a short orientation film (I really enjoy those films), exhibits and a small gift shop.
There is no food and drink available, however drinking water is available outside (near the picnic seating).
The toilets are quite primitive, and are located outside the visitor center.
This was my favorite park in Moab to visit! Stunning views from the island in the sky! I took a jeep tour with a local outfitter and the views were stunning along the way. You could literally look straight down at times! The dirt road is definitely not for those afraid of heights, but has fantastic views. YOu can follow the meandering of the Colorado river too.
The name "Island in the Sky" is a very accurate description of what this area of Canyonlands NP looks like. I enjoyed this area much more than the rim of the Grand Canyon. We did Mesa Arch, the Grand View Point hike, the Upheaval Dome hike, and The Aztec Butte hike including the granaries. We also stopped at all of the overlooks. We also enjoyed the drive into the park with the open cattle ranges in the area.
Because it is near Moab and because it offers several easily accessed viewpoints over the Green and Colorado Rivers, this is by far the busiest part of Canyonlands National Park. You won't have many opportunities to contemplate nature in solitude here unless you hike down into the canyon, but even without that it's worth a day's visit. I'm commenting on the various places we under the separate TripAdvisor entries.
They are very friendly here and will help with your questions on what to see or do. Well worth the time and use the restroom
Visitor center was good for info (Ranger talks) and stocking up on water. Also worth stopping at to cross the road for the overlook - beautiful.
Any of the Visitor Centers, it’s the place to get maps and current information on the local. Check on trails open and safe to use … according to your ability.
This visitor Center opens at 08:00 and they offered great advice and support from the friendly staff.
Free drinking water tap is also available here.
I love this spot! Cross the street and hike down a bit and you'll see a great view of what to expect. Great one to start a trip!
Had to pick up our backcountry permits here, and the staff was helpful enough. Not ebullient, necessarily, but not rude by any means. There are pit toilets and water fountains, so be sure to fill your water bottles here since there are no other water sources throughout Island in the Sky.
Manificient views from this part of the Park. Canyonland National Park is divided into 3 sections and Island in the Sky has the most stunning and breathtaking views. We visited in June and despite reviews of crowds, we did not have the same experience. We were easily able to move about the park and enjoy the beauty.
One of those truly awesome natural phenomena that some people are lucky to experience in their lifetime. Reminiscent of the top of the Bright Angel Trail at the Grand Canyon, the chatter from first-timers is at a minimum. Most people simply gawk at the views. The drop-offs here, like at the Grand View Point Overlook at the far end of the park, are quite often too close for comfort. Both my son and I started to have signs of acrophobia here that lasted through our stay in Arches. Stay away from the edges, enjoy the sheer beauty, and ponder at the millennia required for it to form.
You can drive and view or you can park and hike and view so it's good for all ages and abilities. The views are stunning. You have to wonder if the idea for Avatar's floating islands was inspired by Island in the Sky. It's a good idea to bring snacks and water from Moab- you don't want to have to cut your visit short.
We took Shafer Trail from here - it's across from the Island in the Sky visitor center. but I think is technically in Canyonlands. Beware - it's dangerous after you reach the bottom..
This area of Canyonland is amazing and offers a huge amount of incredible views in all directions. Just doing the scenic drive you can take some amazing shots and the Grand View trail is just fantastic. But for me, the top spot was the Orange Cliff Overlook.
I almost cut this visit out of our trip but was very pleasantly surprised with the views! Some of the overlooks were easily accessible and were amazing! Definitely include a visit in your trip itinerary.
Easy access to some of the most gorgeous views in Utah...those of Canyonlands National Park. Absolutely incredible maze of canyons.
There are 3 distinctive parts to Canyonlands National Park. While our trip only saw Island in the Sky, this ranking and the views I saw there make me feel that this is the best part of the park. With that said, I would love to come back and go to the Needles. However, the views and the hikes along the top of the canyon make this one of the most amazing places to visit. As I said on another post, I liked Canyonlands better than the Grand Canyon and Island in the Sky is a big park of that. Our favorite stops here were Mesa Arch and Grandview Point which are MUST SEE in the park. Also you get great views of the Island in the Sky from Dead Horse State Park. It is from these views that you begin to understand that this is truly a island in the sky.
Must-see if you are looking to visit at least one of the major national parks in Utah. I visited Arches National Park first but prefer Canyonlands for its stunning far reaching views and ease of access (as long as you have a car of course!).
We entered via the Island In The Sky entrance which is a 20 mile drive off highway 191. From there we drove directly to Mesa Arch, a short walk to take photos close up then drove to the end point at Grandview Point Overlook. Both were fantastic to view especially the latter which looked like it came out of a sci-fi film.
If you only have time to visit one national park in the area, I would recommend Canyonlands as being more unique and breathtaking - the main sights also require less effort/hiking/climbing to see which makes a big difference in the hot Utah heat.
This is just your average visitor center. They have information, souvenirs, etc. It gets the job done but don't over-expect.
I'm always impressed at how helpful the people are at the national parks. They really are great to talk to if you have any questions. We bought a few souvenirs here and then walked across the road to the Island in the Sky viewing area.
A must see when visiting Canyonlands National Park! Stunning views! Wish we would have been able to catch a sunrise or sunset at this location.
Island in the sky is located a short drive north west of Moab and the roads and overlooks can get crowded. However, it is a vast area and even at the busiest times you should be able to find a parking space, a trail to hike, or just a view to take in. Start first at the visitor center to pay (if the entrance station is unmanned) get maps and information, use the restroom, and purchase gallon containers of water if you need to. From there, proceed to the overlook directly across the road then drive on across The Neck to see the sights on this high mesa. As vast as it is, stretching from Grandview Point to Upheaval Dome, this is only one part of the entire national park. The Needles District is about a two hour drive away and the extremely rugged and remote Maze District (high clearance 4WD, skills, and maps or guide required) make up the rest of the territory. In your own vehicle or on a guided 4WD tour you may check out the 100 mile White RIm or make a dramatic entrance by plunging down the switchbacks of the Shafer Trail. With a 4WD you can also acess the area by the Long Canyon Road or the Gemini Bridges Road.
Very good service and a very good movie. The place is very educating and is self explained and understandble.
I prefer this to nearby Arches. If u just want to drive through and stop at lookouts, it's a great half day experience. But, there's also a bunch of short and long trails, from easy to rigorous. Just after you enter the park gate, there's a dirt road on the left that snakes down the side of a canyon to the bottom. It's a truly "wow" drive but not for the faint of heart and without the benefit of 4WD.
What a view the best yet, this is a must to see absolutely incredible awe inspiring have seen nothing like it before.
We stopped in Moab to visit Canyonlands and Arches, not really knowing what to expect. I recommend that you drive through and day hike in Arches EARLY in the morning then spend the rest of your time in Canyonlands. Arches was so busy and we spent most of our time in the car or fighting crowds. Once we checked that off our list, we did a 10 mile hike in Canyonlands without seeing a SINGLE person on the trail! It was accessible and gorgeous. Totally worth it! We did the "Island in the Sky" area and chose to follow the Syncline Loop Trail. It was rocky at the start, mostly flat in the middle (along a dry creek bed), and technical at the end. The trail disappears multiple times and requires a lot of attention to detail (and no fear of heights). Overall, it was a pleasant surprise and a really cool trail.
Canyonlands National Park is divided into several different unconnected regions: Island in the Sky on the north, the Maze on the west, and the Needles on the east. They share a common primitive spirit and Wild West atmosphere until today. Canyonlands remains largely untrammeled as its roads mostly unpaved, trails primitive, and rivers free-flowing. Of all its different regions, Island in the Sky is the one that is most visited as it is the closest to Arches National Park in Moab.
Island in the Sky's scenic road offers many pullouts with spectacular views. In order to explore the area further, visitors can walk the primitive trails or drive four-wheel-drive roads. Views from Island in the Sky reach from the depths of the Green and Colorado rivers to the mountaintops and above and they are breathtaking. Across canyon after canyon they stretch to the horizon 100 miles (like forever) distant. Canyonlands again emphasized how tiny we are in compare to nature and once more of the earth's indescribable beauty.
Birds-eye views of thousands of square miles of land, with the Colorado and Green Rivers far below. Definitely a must see!
Beautiful country and red mountains in Canyonlands The views are stunning and there are hikes for all levels. Island in the sky is like being on top of the world and Needles is a totally different perspective.
Recommend stopping here to get a feel for the park and where to visit including the distances between different hikes and views.
My wife and I visited here one afternoon. The Island in the Sky is the area of the park on top of the mesa and looks down into the canyons. After already visiting three other parks and being in the canyons, we were a little underwhelmed with the views. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before starting out for the park, there are no services near or at the park.
Such an enjoyable visit. We were fortunate to arrive early and for a short time we were the only ones at Mesa, it is stunning. By 9am it was very busy and photo opportunities were limited for the new arrivals. Canyon lands offers a fun hike with many areas stepped and regular cairns to ensure you stay enroute. We met a delightful couple in their 80's who expressed concern over the grading of the hike as there were a few steeper sections on sliprock, which they found, understandably challenging .
Even when the weather changed, which was earlier than predicted, everyone just put on waterproofs and continued to enjoy the views.
There is something for all abilities. There are short easy hikes to lengthy more advanced hikes. Dead Horse point State Park is only 3 miles and is so, so,so worth visiting .
We go to a lot of visitors centers and this one was fine.
No food or beverage is a letdown.
No bathrooms in the building and a pretty small store area by friendly staff.
This was far more majestic than I anticipated every view in canyonlands and Deadhourse point was unique i liked it better than Grand Canyon finding a campsite was a little difficult
This is easiest part of Canyonlands park to visit - but not less interesting. The unforgettable views far away for hundred miles through stone world. Canyons, rocks , wild nature - as were millions years ago, today is not change. One need spend full day here even for looking on endless beauty, if plan made a tracks - take more days.
Park has lots of beautiful sites. We drove to Grand view and hiked out to the point. just beautiful! Its amazing what mother nature has created in the United States for us to enjoy! Worth every minute...
Canyon Lands is a close ride from Moab. You will notice right away that you are entering another world as you climb up the switch backs. I only had a few hours for Canyon Lands so I chose the Isle Of The Sky region. Parking is a lot more limited than Arches and there are limited services at the park so gas up and bring your water, sun screen and snacks because you can't buy them there.
I quickly learned that I wasn't in NJ anymore. When you are driving on a road that is about 7,500 feet above sea level and you see a fast approaching thunderstorm you have to remember you are over a mile high. As I grabbed a couple of pics, I felt the thunder and quickly was met with small hail (luckily for my rental car). (See pic)
Some of the roads between sights hug steep canyons so drivers really have to pay attention to the road and speed limit. Its so easy to get caught up with the amazing scenery but drivers have to keep eyes on the road.
The Park Rangers are very friendly and helpful. Mesa Arch is a short hike and offers a wonderful view of the canyon below through the Arch. (See pic)
Every view is a great one and reminds me of what an amazing landscape we have in our great country (and in southern Utah).
Rangers are informative and patient. The park is very 4x4 friendly. Ask about trails in and out of the park.
You need to take the time to stop at viewpoints including this one ...it shows the expanse of the canyons and awe inspiring landscapes......a photographers dream as was all the views and hikes we did with Travel Dream West ....fabulous company
Always stop by a Visitor's Center and this one was very exceptional. Nice gifts, trinkets, shirts, and maps to help you get through the park. Lots of food type stuff as well as drinks. Also, stuff for the kids. This is a must do !!
Load up on water and unload your bladder before hiking! This visitor center also has a theater and some fun gifts.
Amazing views as good as the Grand Canyon. The viewpoint at Dead Horse Point reveals a huge panorama of canyons and the Colorado river, you can see for miles.
The rangers were a lot of help for us to determine which sights we should attempt, since we have some limited physical issues. The only major hike I tried was to the viewpoints fro Upheaval Dome. that convinced me to dial it back a bit an listen to my wife!
Had some time left in the day after Arches and decided to drive over for a couple of hours here, and so glad we did. After a long drive in off the highway, this view was fantastic and we were so glad we stopped. I highly recommend you stop here if you have the time. Much less crowded than Arches.
Good place to get information about the park. The rangers were helpful and gave insightful recommendations for our day in the park.
I came here in July 2016. The park was a very far drive 40 miles from Moab. I enjoyed the solitude and the hiking trails.
Even though busy in late Spetember we stopped long enough to view the exhibits and get a souvenir park pin. Pleasant restrooms outside and an arch nearby.
We did a fantastic 2 week self drive trip starting at Grand Canyon, then onto Monument Valley, then Arches and Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion.
We found that every park was different to the rest, all offering stunning scenery and the Island In The Sky district of Canyonlands was no different and gave us yet another great experience on the trip.
Fantastic drive in (up!) from Highway 191 and the views on the scenic drive are amazing.
Canyonlands is the second least visited of the Utah National Parks, but it's well worth a visit. It's totally different than Arches. There are spectacular canyons and beautiful hikes to experience. Take the time to visit this district of the park!
Definitely worth the visit as it is very close to Arches National Park. Interestingly, there are quite a few cows that graze in the area. The hike to Mesa Arch is definitely worth it!
Stunning views and well worth a trip. It rivals the Grand Canyon in scenery, and the trails allow you closer views!
Vast expanse of beautiful geological formation! Canyonlands is divided into 3 sections and each have their own entrances...cannot go from one into the other. We visited just the island in the sky and went on a couple of hikes - Mesa arch, grand view point was simply awesome (must do), shafer trail, green river overlook. The drive from Moab and within the park are so scenic!
This is a small visitor center but the major one for Canyonlands National Park. It pales in comparison with Arches next door. You still get useful information and the rangers are nice enough, but it could use some expansion.
The Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands national park was the last stop on our tour of all the national parks in Southern Utah. We were a bit jaded by the wonderful scenery and the geological formations at all the other parks and the areas between them - all of Southern Utah is one large national park.
We drove in from Moab and the drive to the visitor center took about an hour. There are no gas stations or any other services once turn west off 191. Make sure you have gas for at least 150 miles to be safe.
The drive to the visitor center is through picturesque country around buttes and mesas. There are several view points along the way. We went on hot and hazy day, so some of the views were marred by the haze.
At the park itself, we first went to the upheaval dome area where there are two view points. The first one is less than half a mile from the parking lot and you see a unique formation below. The next viewpoint is little over half a mile away and you see the same area from another angle. One has to climb about a hundred feet on the way back. Going to the second view point was not that rewarding.
We then went to the Green River overlook where we got a nice view of the canyon carved by the Green River which later meets the Colorado river in the Needles area.
The next stop was the Grand View Point Overlook. We hiked the Grand Viewpoint trail - 2 miles round trip over mostly flat but rocky terrain. Some in our party did not do this hike and I think they missed out on some nice views.
after the hike we headed back towards the visitor center. The last stop on our tour of this area was the Mesa Arch.
We spent about six hours in the park - 10-4. It was in the high nineties most of the afternoon. We drank plenty of water and several of us had a wide brimmed hat to protect from the direct sun.
The wait! I visited the park early in the morning, in fact before it was technically open so I had no problem. But each day when I left the line at the ranger booth was incredibly long. How long? There were 142 cars lined up on day one of my visit as I left and 91 on the second day. And given the number of people paying, asking questions, pulling out their passes, etc., it was easily a couple hours wait in those cars. Given that the Island in the Sky area rises above its surroundings you would think that views would be memorable. But I found that two factors completely eliminated that hope. First, it was very windy and a park employee told me that the wind was carrying dust from nearby areas and making the view hazy. Also, having visited many parks I know that air pollution is a problem and I have no doubt that contributed to the obscured views. So I had very limited viewing. Lots of good picnic areas in the park. Visitor center is extremely small, with no exhibits showing any particular creativity. Also tiny gift shop. I have reviews about specific features and trails elsewhere on TA.
I think this might be the most popular section of Canyonlands National park and when you get there you will see why. This section not only has some longer hikes, but also offers quite a few short ones as well as some overlooks that allows any one to appreciate the beauty of their national park. While you can drive and see theses overlooks quickly, take your time and enjoy them as they are not something that should be rushed as you will be amazed at the views of the mountains as well as the desolate beauty of the environment beneath your feet.
Compared to the crowds at nearby Arches NP, this place feels more like a ghost town. The views at Shafer Canyon Overlook, Mesa Arch, Green River Overlook, Buck Canyon Overlook and Grand View Point are in some ways more magnificent than the Grand Canyon...with 2% of the crowds.
The short hikes to Mesa Arch (0.5 mi. RT) and at Grand View Point (2.2 mi. RT) are absolute must do's. We also hiked White Rim Overlook Trail (1.8 mi. RT) and saw no one the entire hike. Skip Upheaval Dome if you're short on time.
Don't miss this park if you're in the area...you'll be shocked at what you see!
This park can easily be missed but should not be. Super nice drive up, not too far away from Moab and Arches NP. You can drive and get out on short trails, etc. We did Upheaval Dome and Green River Overlook and while we could have done SO much more we felt happy to be able to just drive and look out over the vistas.
We got to know of this place from the staff at Arches national park, otherwise we would have missed it. Awesome place. Will definitely visit again.
After paying the National Park entry fee, the road continues along to the visitor center; free info, maps, advise, water, restrooms, souvenirs, and even a film are offered to the public. Helpful staff offer materials when asked (be sure to ask or you won't get any!)
and even suggest trails to see within the amount of time you have planned.
i was amazed at the beauty of this part of Canyonlands NP. i have not visited the other districts but they are now on the bucket list. jaw dropping scenery everywhere you go. dont miss it!
This area of Canyonlands is the easiest to get to from Moab, but it's still about an hour's drive to get to the Visitors Center (purchase snacks / lunch / beverages in town as there are no food concessions in the park). There are numerous hikes available around the rim of the many-branching canyon - some are essentially on level ground and are easily hiked. Others are a bit more challenging, but well-worth the effort. You can drive to the Grand View Point Overlook and walk just a few steps to the rim. Or you can climb to the top of Whale Rock for an even more breathtaking view of the great expanse of this national park.
Canyonlands National Park is divided into 3 sections. Island in the Sky is one of the sections. I think this is the commonly visited section of Canyonlands. This is the only section of the park I have been to and it is amazing. We visited Mesa Arch, Upheaval Dome, and False Keva.
With lots of fab walks; mesa arch, grand view point and whale rock it's one not to be missed. The views are fantastic and the walks really short so you get to see a lot in a short space of time.
If you only have time to visit one area of Canyonlands, this is the part of it to visit - it is far more picturesque than the Needles district of the park.
This visitors center has rather little in the way of exhibits. They do show a short video which introduces the various parts of the park.
While it is less famous than its nearby cousin, Arches, I find that I love this park more. The Mesa Arch and the Overview Trail are good hikes for amateurs.
Northeastern part of Canyonlands National Park, just north of Moab. Great road into the park, and park roads are good. Lots of overlooks and places to hike. Stunning scenery quite different from the Needles District. Certainly a "Must See" place. Took us about 3 hours to tour with one short hike included. Would be a great all day or multi day place with more hikes.
If you're in the Moab area, this is worth the trip. We went to the island in the sky area and thoroughly enjoyed our time here. Wonderful scenery.
We spent the afternoon in this park. The views were spectacular. We did a few of the trails and enjoyed the experience a lot. The only problem we had was at the Upheaval Dome. The trail was not very well marked and as a result we never made it to the overlook. But the rest of the park was really fantastic. I would definitely recommend visiting.
The visitor center for the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park is located on Grand View Point Road, on the right 1.2 miles past the park entrance. Admission is $25/car (good 7 days) or NPS passes are accepted. Island in the Sky is about 30 miles west of Moab, UT via US191 and UT313. This is a typical NPS visitor center, though it is smaller and older than some. When we were there on a Sunday in late August it was crowded - the parking lot was full and there was a line for the restrooms (even with extra portable restrooms outside). Inside there is some educational information about the park terrain, a video, small book/gift shop, and an information desk with maps and permits. Wifi is available but no electric outlets. This is the only place at Island in the Sky where water is available so fill up. Note that the visitor center is open daily between early March and late December - it is closed in January and February.
It is the most beautiful and amazing place which practicly will put the gelogical situstion into understanding.
We stayed in Moab for a trip to Arches. Decided to take a day trip to Canyonlands. Park is divided into 3 and not possible to visit all on the same day. Island I a the sky was most accessible and only about 40 mins from Moab. Wow, wow, wow. Blew our minds! It was so incredibly beautiful. Understandably a part of the Utah’s mighty 5 national park. Definitely recommend visiting, especially if you are going to arches, slate a day for canyonlands
Absolutely stunning. Do do as many hikes as you can. Can cover in 1 day. Very picturesque, both drive and hikes
We visited the Needles area from the south our first day to the park and then drove north to Moab. Our second day in the park, we drove from Moab up to Dead Horse State Park and Island in the Sky. It is important to note that these two sections of the park are not connected by roads and are about two hours apart by car on the highway. It is best to do them on separate days. When you are at the Grand Point view point in Island in the Sky you can see all the way down to the Needles area, but you can not get there by car. You can hike down, but it is a day hike and most people do not venture out that far.
After arriving and going to the Visitor Center, we wanted to do some of the main hikes with our kids. We did a number of shorter, easier hikes which were still wonderful and gave us a good sense for the park. We saw and hiked around Mesa Arch. We drove to the end of the road and hiked to Grand Point Overlook. You can walk from the parking area just to the lookout or down the stairs. From the stairs, there is a beautiful, flat rock walk with views of the canyon. The views here reach all the way down to the Needles Area of the park. Easy and worthwhile. It does get hot and sunny in the afternoons at the hikes in the park when we were there in June, so hats, sun cream and water are good to have along.
Partial understanding of the uniform lifting of the Colorado Plateau. Good definition of the nine layers of sandstone to be seen in other parks.
The Island in the Sky visitor center had good displays about the history and geology of the park. In addition to all of the information, it also has a small gift shop. Vault toilets are located outside the visitor center. Toilets are not plentiful in the park, so it is best to use these before heading out.
Directly across from the Visitor Center is a trail to overlook the Island in the Sky area. A great introduction to the qualities that define Canyonlands and make it so unique from the other parks in Utah.
Park here for the short walk across the street for the big views. Clean and the Rangers are super helpful. Nice exhibits and clean restrooms.
My husband and I visited the Island in the Sky and Needles districts in April. While we found the overlooks in the former district more scenic, we preferred hiking in the latter district. Our favourite stops in the Island in the Sky district are Grand View Point Overlook and Trail, Green River Overlook, Mesa Arch, and Shafer Canyon Overlook.
Canyonlands like other National Parks has a great VC that is perfect for souvenirs and a rest room. However what distinguishes Canyonlands is the amazing view of the Canyon from just across the street. It is an easy walk from the VC to a great natural overlook. Take time to view the canyon here as it is truly special.
The overlooks of this park astonished us even after visiting Grand Canyon. Grand view point overlook and Green river Overlook is a must see stops.
You go to a high elevation to reach this level. It is really like an island in the sky, feeling very surreal. You can see levels of canyons and mountains far away.
Can’t go wrong with any of the hikes in Utah... Arches is amazing everywhere you look! I’d highly recommend hiking as many trails as you can!
In my opinion this part of Canyonlands is better than the other (The Needles). This because there are a lot more views but also the views were quite different.
As the other part of Canyonlands, also this one was very to visit even without doing a lot of hike.
This is a part of Canyonlands that I and my boyfriend chose to explore. One of the reasons is that it was the easiest to access for us, as the other national park's parts required hours of driving.
The area doesn't have many roads to drive on, so you will very probably just follow the recommended stops and enjoy the views from the top of the canyons.
Having spent a week touring the other Utah National Parks, Canyonlands was last on our list and I thought I might be a bit underwhelmed after the likes of Zion, Bryce and Arches but oh no - this was almost saving the best until last. The amazing thing about all the parks is how different they are and Islands in the Sky at Canyonlands is no exception - completely unlike anything we had seen anywhere else. The views are absolutely breathtaking and we did a couple of lovely short hikes to get to fabulous vistas - definitely check out the White Rim Overlook trail which I have just added to TripAdvisor - can't believe this short hike wasn't already listed but was probably the best thing we did during our day in the park. Otherwise just go to the Canyonlands National Park website for details of key places to see and hiking trails! Oh be warned the summer months are scorching and there is little shade so try and hike early and take plenty of water!
Thankfully, the number of motor homes was not too bad because they do slow down traffic and they do take up a lot of space, if they can even fit anywhere. But that's another story. Still, lots of visitors for an early May very hot weekday. Yet we were still able to park at the key locations. We saw it, and we liked it. Very much. Seeing canyons coming to life from above is quite a privilege.
#4 of the Big 5 parks, for us. We had just come from Arches National Park and found this part of Canyonlands to be so very different, and absolutely stunning. Instead of looking up, we were looking down ... at 100 miles of canyons below. It made complete sense of the Grand Canyon, the Colorado Plateau and how everything fit together. We arrived late in the day and stayed for the sunset. It was amazing! So quiet and still ... and the colours ... out of this world. Unforgettable!
Best kept secret in Utah! What a beautiful place. Utah's version of the Grand Canyon!! We couldn't believe how beautiful it was with every turn.
We only had a couple of hours, but we still had a great experience. One of the nice things about our trip was that we did it in the afternoon...which made it a lot less crowded than in the morning. Parking lots were not crowded at all. The drive up to the park from the highway is, by itself a wonderful drive. Once inside the park, we only did three things. First we stopped at the visitor's center. Second, we drove up to the Mesa Arch trail and hiked that (about a half mile total...some small ups and down, great views). And third, we drove out to the Grand View Overlook and hiked out to the end of that trail (about two miles total...completely flat, absolutely amazing views!). This is an absolutely stunning park!
This area gives a wonderful view from the mesa top. The multitude of overlooks makes the trip easy and comfortable.
Islands in the sky is just across the street from the welcome center. It is breathtaking! Be sure to visit !
The views and rock formations at Canyonlands were phenomenal. Short & long hikes. Lots of people biking. The Mesa Arch was my favorite short hike. See pic.
Canyonlands was wonderful. I didnt have high expectations as all the attention is put on Arches but we LOVED Canyonlands. We arrived at Mesa arch shortly after sunrise and felt the timing was great- the photographers were getting ready to leave and we were able to get great pics of the arch in the morning light. Next we did the Great Viewpoint hike which was short easy and had great views the whole way. We next did the upheavel dome hikes - both viewpoints. The 2nd viewpoint might be more work that reward compared to the 1st viewpoint. We visited the various viewpoints as well and dont miss the shafer viewpoint. My favorite hike in the park was Aztec Buttes. Gorgeous views and just a cool hike. It does require some scrambling but worth the work! A lot to see even if you dont want to hike a lot.
Informative and good to make a stop here before proceeding on to see the sights, which, as promised were astounding.
Island in the Sky is a part of Canyonlands National Park. It is the largest of the three parts and the most accessible. The nearest town is Moab, Utah. The pay station at the park entrance will give you a free map, but it does not contain information about every viewpoint and trail. We purchased a road guide at the visitor center for $4.95 that had great information and exact distances from place to place. I highly recommend it.
We were staying in Moab and have the National Parks Pass, so it's an easy call to visit every single one. This is an all day affair to drive in and experience all the lookouts,This is perhaps the most dramatic, as we sat and watched a storm move in from the surrounding mountains. Go easy on the roads and make sure you stop at all the overlooks - each one is tremendous. Moab is conveniently close.
Jaw-dropping views. It really feel you are in the sky or in the middle of an abstract painting. Many parts of the park are inaccessible for easy hikes, but there is plenty to see at Island in the Sky.
We went in July 2017, and we felt like we had a whole continent to ourselves. You drive for 10 miles, see no one and then are the only car at a trailhead. You might see other hikers, maybe not.
Do not hesitate to visit this park.
Our only criticism is that the trail called Sincline Loop has climbing, but the Rangers say it does not. Semantics.
This overlook is one of my favorites in Canyonlands National Park. It is just inside the park, is very close to the main road, and gives you a beautiful taste of what you will see in this park. Take the time to climb out and through the rock at this overlook.
We did the Grand View Point Trail and could easily spot the Island in the Sky from various viewpoints. Had beautiful sunny weather at the end of November and it wasn't too cold.
Spent a lovely day at the park in May. On the recommendation of some guests at our B&B we chose to hike to the White Rum Overlook first which is a lovely, quiet trail.
We also did the Mesa Arch trail, Grand View trail and the Upheaval Dome trail which is classed as moderate but is really fairy easy.
We had a lovely if somewhat tiring day.
Even in mid-April, we had to wait for about 45 minutes to get into the park. We only stayed about an hour, but we still got to take the Mesa Arch trail and stop at some outlooks. The Mesa Arch trail was pretty short but offered great views. It was pretty crowded, so be prepared to wait in line to get a picture. The views here were great, but shortly down the road is Dead Horse State park, which is very similar. Dead Horse lacks the crowds and also gives a view of the Colorado river, so consider stoping by that park as well.
We arrived a little after 8 am and drove all the way to Grand View Point Overlook and took an RV space. We have a 23 ft. Class B+. Glad we got there early. Parking filled up quickly with tour buses and other arrivals. People ended up parking along the road before the loop.
We hiked both the Grand View Point and White Rim Overlook Trails from this area. If limited in time you can overlook the Overlook Trail - not as interesting until you get to the end but would be good for kids. On the way out from there, we did the Orange Cliffs, Buck Canyon and Green River as well as Mesa Arch hike.
Parking was a premium at the Upheaval Dome Trailhead so we went to hike Whale Rock. Definitely, a moderate hike tending toward difficult with blustery winds. We did not attempt to skirt the rock formation at the top to make to the very end of this trail.
Returning to the Upheaval Dome Trailhead, we bit the bullet and parked along the approach road and hiked back. Leaving the Trailhead,we hiked out and back to the second overlook. Definitely the most interesting hike of the day with geologic wonder.
Must see if you make it to Canyonlands National Park. This beatiful park gets overlooked due to Arches but make sure you allow enough time to enjoy.
Beautiful views and great trails. We went in the early spring (first week in April) and temperature was great for hiking- not too hot, not too cold.
The area offers good and short hiking options (Aztec Butte, Whale Rock, Grand View Rim, and others). I'd suggest you don't waste your time at Upheaval Dome.
In a way, Canyonlands is the most interesting and rewarding of national parks I have seen. So many different sights to see, really a massive cornucopia that never fails to take your breath away and Islands in the Sky seems to encapsulate the overall park. Mesa Arch and Grand View Point Overlook being the creme de la creme. If you come to the Southwest and you don't come here, you are cheating yourself. You will know what I mean when you get here.
A must if you are in Canyonlands. You can drive right to the scenic overlook and it is amazing. Don't miss it.
Imagine you can see the Grand Canyon when it was younger. This place is breathtaking and my personal favorite place on earth. I go every year! There are lots of pull-outs and things to do/see. If you are planning to lunch/picnic here, the map will only show picnic tables at the Upheaval Dome area. This place is notoriously full all the time, go over to the campground (most sites are empty at noon) and use one of the covered tables there.
If you want to see something not listed on the map they give you. Stop by the visitor's center and ask the Ranger about "False Kiva". It is a moderate hike to a beautiful alcove with a spectacular view (and no crowds!).
Canyonlands, Island in the Sky: the most beautiful park of our holiday in the USA. Others are also amazing, but this one, in my opinion, is superior to all of them. And to think we didn't even know him. That day we had to go to Arches, but we could only access it with a reservation which we didn't have, so we searched the internet and found Canyonlands: there has never been a better choice.
To those who ask me "Which park in the USA did you like the most?" I answer Canyonlands.
See photos.
Nice visitor center, only downside is the only restrooms are a series of pit toilets on the east side of the building. But they are clean and do not smell, even with the heavy use from all the people. Parking is a bit tight by mid-morning. Has picnic tables but right next to the toilets.
This was another stop on our Grand Circle Road trip and this park did not fail to enchant us as well. The trail to Mesa Arch was a short 0.7 mile RT and the arch itself as well as the views are stunning. We also stopped at the Green River overlook and Grand View Point, both offering impressive sweeping views of other-worldly terrain. A must-visit when in this area.
Canyonlands is an amazing place, in many ways rivaling the Grand Canyon. It also provides some wonderful ops to capture sunrise and sunset with the magical light that best shows off the scenery.
Two places for sunrise (having some puffy clouds in the sky is a huge winner, creates op for red/orange sky, aka clouds are your friend...so long as the sun has a path thru such):
1. Mesa Arch: Everybody's fav sport. Get there early (35 minutes or more before sunrise. Only enough room for about 8 photographers...usually 3x that many show up. Beat the crowds and visit in early March or late fall. Winter is also a great time to see the park...with zero crowds (look at the weather for clear weeks featuring highs near 30 with bluebird skies).
Photo advice: shoot with a wide angle zoom. Your best shots occur just as the sun pops into view and warms the underside of the arch in a warm orange glow. Ditch the polarizer...no impact...your shooting into the sun.
2. Dead Horse Point: Also a tremendous photo op, arrive 35 mins before sunrise.
Photo advice: If you own Grad NDs use them to balance the overcooked sky. 3 stop hard edged filter is perfect.
Late afternoon/sunset (clouds also a huge winner, clearing storms also provide an amazing backdrop for killer photos)
1. Green River Overlook
2. Grand View Point Overlook
3. False Kiva: An amazing place...a little tough to hike into. Don't attempt unless you're in pretty good shape and are comfortable scrambling on big rocks. Look up on Google Maps to locate. Can be tricky to locate where the trail goes in spots.
Many of the roads in this NP are meant for non snow/ice days. Stop at all the overlooks. Don’t miss the 30 minute r/t hike to Mesa Arch, especially around sunrise. We arrived early (before entrance payment hours) and spent 2 hours. Best photography times, beautiful!
OMG, it feels as though we have left the earth and stumbled onto another planet. Incredible but desolate scenery, spectacular and eerie views!
The Island in the Sky is just one of 3 sections of Canyonlands park. It got its name because it is surrounded on three sides by gaping canyons making it feel as though you are on a deserted island (way up high in the sky).
Hints: Take the 34 mile (round trip) scenic drive. It will take you to key observation points and several pulloffs, where you can admire the views. The hike to Mesa Arch is short and easy, and provides another spectacular setting for your photo opps. Check out the visitor center for info and maps, as well as advice for how to make the best use of your time. There are restrooms, a gift shop and a water filling station there. Take lots of water with you into the park as on a hot day, you will need it. (not much shade). Wear good walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen.
Restrooms are better than Arches at this venue but the visitors center is small and parking limited. No reason to stop really unless there is a Ranger seminar you are interested in.
Came hear early over Memorial Day weekend to beat the crowds and the heat. We spent maybe six hours hear, we did the Mesa Arch Trail, Grand Rim Trail and Upheaval Dome. All very interesting and you see amazing sites. I love this place!
Easy hikes in this part of Canyonlands. There are only 12 camp sites, but because there is no water at the campsites, we managed to get a site at 3 pm.
We spent four days and nights backpacking and camping in Island in the Sky, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time.
Pros:
- no crowds
- plenty of hiking trails of varying levels of difficulty
- stunning views for days
- diverse topography and geological formations
- less developed than, say, Arches NP, offering more of a "pure nature" feeling
- wildlife (birds, lizards, snakes, deer, and more)
Neutral:
- not much shade on a lot of the hiking trails (so slather on the sunscreen)
- sometimes the trails can be a tad hard to follow (so pay attention to the rock cairns)
Cons:
- no water sources outside of the visitor center, so bring your own water
I highly recommend visiting Island in the Sky, especially if you want to get out in nature without running into heaps of other people.
Spectacular views of canyons from the mesa. Islands in the Sky does not disappoint. Don't miss this driving friendly section of Canyonlands National Park.
Wonderful experience to drive or walk around in the National Park. The complete infrastructure is perfect.
It certainly lives up to the pictures. Mostly you need to park and take very short walks to see the vistas. As a scenic car ride, the climb up to the plateau from Moab is probably more interesting than once you get into the park itself. At the vistas themselves, you can do some fun rock scrambling in addition to just taking in the view. This park doesn't get as many visitors as some, and combined with the huge scale of the rock formations around you and almost complete lack of buildings, it feels particularly remote. It would be easy to spend the entire day here if you love these views and strolling around to see them from different perspectives. But some might have enough after just an hour or so if they get their fill of these canyon views quickly and feel a bit too isolated.
We were only able to visit Island in the Sky in Canyonlands but it did not disappoint. If anything it left us wanting to see so much more! The landscape is so incredibly vast, there is so much for the eye to see. There are quite a few lookout points you can just drive to and stop at. Mesa Arch is a short 1/4" mile loop and it is the perfect place to watch the sunrise. Plenty of camping spots as well!
Although remote, Island in The Sky is worth the drive to see the few sites the are scattered throughout the district. Mesa arch at sunrise was a spiritual experience. We drove down the Shafer Trail back to Moab which was amazing. Upheaval Dome with its mystery was stunning. Truly had some once in a lifetime moments here.
Awesome awesome view..Thanks to Mother Nature for this beautiful place. We loved it so much. Might try to drive the white gravel road sometime in future hopefully.
We drove through the park and took advantage of all the pullouts. Beautiful and unique scenery and well worth the visit.
While we didn’t have the time to enter through all three entrances, we thoroughly enjoyed seeing this part of the National Park. We drove all the way down to the end first since we were chasing the sunrise. What spectacular views! Most of the other stops would require a hike so we’ll save those for the next trip!
The views are amazing, highly recommend venturing off the beaten path if your vehicle can handle bumpy dirt roads, and view areas not many get to see. Several roads are passable with a stock truck or SUV.
Being the closest district of Canyonlands National Park to Moab (about 32 mi, 51.5k), the most developed, and with spectacular canyon views that rival, and some equaling, the Grand Canyon without the crowds, the Island in the Sky is the most visited district in the Canyonlands. The district gets its name from being a high, huge mesa bounded by the Green River to the west and the Colorado River to the east which come to a confluence just beyond Grand View Point at southern end of the mesa. From the edges of this mesa are many spectacular views of the canyon lands beyond.
In a long one day visit, it is possible to see all of the highlights and hike a number of the better short trails including Grand View Point Outlook and trail (best in the morning or afternoon, trail up to 2mi/3.2k), Green River Overlook (morning or sunset), Shafer Canyon Overlook (afternoon), Mesa Arch (0.5mi/0.8k trail, sunrise or afternoon), Upheaval Dome (0.8mi/1.3k first overlook, 1.8mi/2.9k second overlook, morning) and Whale Rock (1.0mi/1.6k, morning). If you only have time or energy for one hike, be sure to do the easy loop trail to Mesa Arch which has become a symbol of the West being perched on the edge of a cliff framing canyons, buttes and mountains beyond.
While visiting the Island in the Sky, we would also recommend a stop at the Dead Horse Point State Park which shares the same mesa in the northeastern corner and is accessed by the same road as the Island in the Sky. It is possible to include to Dead Horse Point in your one day visit by visiting either in the morning on your way to the Island in the Sky or at the end of the day on your way out. The latter option is probably the best logistically due to the larger number of morning sites in the Island of the Sky while Dead Horse Point offers equally spectacular canyon views early or late. Entrance to Dead Horse Point is an additional $15 which seems high for such a small park but the views are excellent and my wife felt that access to flush toilets (not available in the Island in the Sky) after a long day was almost worth the price of admission alone.
The Island in the Sky strictly refers to a unit of Canyonlands NP. However, there are other things worth seeing up here, more than enough for a couple of days. It was once the site of 'range wars' and outlaw hideouts. Today, it is mostly known for the impressive views, including the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers. In the national park, go to the lookout points and do the upheaval dome hike. There is also a famous view from Dead Horse Point State Park (some film scenes were shot here). If you aren't fainthearted, drive the Shafer Trail all the way back down (as good as the Moki Dugway further south in Utah) or get a permit and spend a couple of days doing the White Rim Trail. A couple of other things worth doing up here are the short hike to Hell Roaring Canyon and visiting the Gemini Bridges.
Awesome! This park has everything its more famous neighbors have and none of the crowds. Well worth a visit. Beautiful in every way.
We spent 1/2 day in the Island in the Sky area. After a stop at the Visitor Center, we first drove to Grand View Point Overlook (great), and did on the way back the short hike to Mesa Arch (phantastic!), and later to Upheaval Dome (ok).
It might be a little cold in the winter months but that's why we have jackets. Winter will mean less crowds, and more solitude. It might even mean snow on dessert floor.
that was one of the most beautiful places I have seen. Beautiful view and easy access. Definitely worth long drive from Salt Lake
Visiting Canyonlands and the Island in the Sky district in January was awesome. No one was there. Very quiet, easy to get around to enjoy the beauty in peace. I couldn't imagine visiting during peak tourist season.
I've been to Islands section of Canyonlands a bunch of times & it's always awesome. This time we only had time for 1 hike, False Kiva! And again it didn't disappoint, we even had the alcove to ourselves for most of the time we stayed there!
We loved the views of Island in the Sky.
Roads were not scary although you are at a high altitude. Not very crowded. Highly recommend, in addition to Arches National Park.
This road is the north entrance to Canyonlands NP, not far from Arches NP and Moab.
This short road has a visitor center with rangers outside to explain the park and nice bathrooms and a water refill station.
Then there are 6 overlooks and Mesa Arch and Whale Rock. You’ll get a map at the visitor center and should stop at each place. We spent 3/4 of a day and spent most of our time at the Grand View Point Overlook which looks like expansive views similar to the Grand Canyon. You can see the Colorado and Green Rivers. There is a trail around the edge of rim that gives you great views and different angles and viewpoints; it is very quiet and peaceful and highly recommended.
Take chairs and lunch and find a quiet place to sit.
On your way back to Moab we stopped at Dead Horse State Park which also has amazing views and well worth the stop !
Canyonlands is a real surprise. If you're visiting Moab, you have to drive past Arches to get to Canyonlands, and I suspect most people don't make it past Arches. But it's easily worth the extra 45 minute drive. It's so much bigger, and is so less visited. As with most parks, there's a scenic drive which gives you a general view of the features, but you really need to get out of your car and take some walks. There are many that are pretty easy, and lead you to spectacular views of what the Colorado and Green rivers have done to the landscape.
The hike to the Grand View overlook took twice as long as I expected, because I had stop every 100 feet or so to take in the view and take a bunch of pictures. The hike to Mesa Arch is an easy walk as well, It's very photogenic, but it can also be very crowded, so if you want to take pictures of the arch without a bunch of people in it, try to get there early in the day. I've been told that the best time to be there is at sunrise as the light is fabulous.
The only potential disappointment for us was the hike to the Upheaval Dome - the hike wasn't bad, but the dome itself wasn't as spectacular as I'd expected (but that may because I'd become slightly jaded by the time I got there).
Nice place.
We were disappointed to find that they have no flush toilets, and no place to wash your hands after using the toilet. A bit too primitive for a National Park.
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Our first stop in a National Park, we find engaged, helpful and friendly rangers that helped us plan the 1/2 day in the National Park. Highly recommended.