Conquering Utah’s Mighty Five Part 2: Canyonlands National Park

(Days Needed: 1-2)

Next up on the epic Mighty Five Road Trip is Canyonlands National Park.

This expansive park, which covers nearly 340,000 acres, proudly holds the title of Utah’s largest national park.

Though it may not get the same hype as Arizona’s Grand Canyon, there are undeniable similarities between the two parks, and I’d argue Canyonlands possesses an equally fascinating and diverse landscape.

While the park is often subdivided into four distinct districts, the Island in the Sky and Needles districts are the only two accessible by paved roads and contain most of the park’s activities. For those reasons, they’re the two districts you’ll want to consider exploring on this trip.

Island in the Sky

Island in the Sky, named for its position atop a 1500-foot mesa, is conveniently located less than 30 miles from Arches and the town of Moab, making it the ideal choice if you’ve set aside just a single day to explore the park.

The district is jam-packed with numerous viewpoints and family-friendly hikes, which present visitors with sweeping views of the high desert and jaw-dropping canyons below.

Simply put, there are few places on earth quite like it.

Much like Arches, Island in the Sky provides plenty of sightseeing opportunities that warrant very little effort. As you make your way along the Island’s primary artery, Grand Viewpoint Road, you will encounter several easily accessible viewpoints, and each one somehow feels even more impressive than the last.

Shafer Canyon, one of the first turnouts passed the entrance, grants visitors the thrill of watching brave souls maneuver their 4x4s into and out of the steep canyon on a switchback-filled road (Adventure alert: this road is open to all visitors!).

As you continue down the road, other notable points of interest you’ll come across include Candlestick Tower, a 450-foot sandstone butte resembling a cluster of half-burned candlesticks, and Mesa Arch, a photogenic arch that ranks as one of my favorite spots in the entire park.

Mesa Arch does require a short hike, but it’s easy enough for all park-goers.

Perhaps you’re wondering whether prioritizing another arch at this junction of the trip is worth it. I can assure you, this is one you don’t want to miss! 

Its position along the cliff’s edge sets up its window as the perfect frame to take in the larger-than-life canyon and La Sal Mountains lurking in the distance.

There’s never a bad time to take in this view, but it’s extra special after dawn when the east-facing arch captures the rising sun, and the day’s first beams of light radiate into the canyon below. 

As you near the end of Grand View Point Road, you’ll encounter its namesake, Grand View Point. It’s easy to see how the point, which sits 6,080 feet above sea level, received its name, as the expansive views here rival any other location in the park. 

From the main viewpoint, you can also opt for a 1.7-mile rim trail that will give you all the space you need to marvel at the views that seem to stretch forever.

After taking in your fair share of wondrous views along the canyon’s edge, you may feel it’s time for a contrasting activity to shake things up.

 If that’s the case, I’d recommend a hike up Aztec Butte. This moderate, 1.8-mile trail is squarely located in the middle of the district and gives hikers the chance to showcase their climbing skills as they scale the slick rock to the top (Solid footwear required-they don’t call it slick rock for nothing!).

After completing the 250-foot ascent, you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of the surrounding landscape and canyons below. 

Once you’ve managed to shimmy your way back down, you’ll encounter a trail spur that leads to a second, smaller butte. Tucked beneath this butte is a pair of Puebloan granaries estimated to be over 1,000 years old! If you like history mixed in with your nature, this trail is for you!