Canyonlands has hundreds of miles of hiking trails which explore the park’s natural and cultural features. Both Island in the Sky and The Needles provide ample opportunities for short walks, day hikes and backpacking trips. Due to its remoteness, The Maze is primarily a backpacking destination.
Trails are usually marked with cairns (small rock piles) and have signs at intersections. Many remote trails do not receive regular maintenance and may not be adequately marked. All backcountry hikers should carry a topographic map.
Island in the Sky Trails
Several short trails explore the mesa top with minimal elevation change, enjoying canyon views from above. Moderate trails involve elevation, such as climbing a sandstone feature or descending partway into a canyon. Long trails at Island in the Sky begin on the mesa top and descend via switchbacks to the White Rim bench, or beyond to one of the rivers. All are considered strenuous, with an elevation change of 1,000-2,000 feet, and require negotiating steep slopes of loose rock as well as sections of deep sand.
All trails are marked with cairns (small rock piles). Water is scarce; bring at least 1 quart (1 L) of water per person for short trails, and up to 1 gallon (4 L) for long trails. Avoid hiking during peak heat on summer days. Carry a flashlight, map, and basic first aid equipment.
Protect Your Park - Keep off the Arches. To promote visitor safety and the opportunity to view natural features undisturbed, climbing, scrambling, walking or standing upon, or rappelling off any arch is prohibited in the park.
A short hike leads to a cliff-edge arch. Mesa Arch is a classic sunrise spot and is popular among photographers. It has stunning views toward the La Sal Mountains any time of day.
Walk to an east-facing overlook for views of the Colorado River, Monument Basin, and La Sal Mountains. Best in late afternoon. Very limited trailhead parking.
This longer hike leads past a historic corral on the mesa top. The trail ends with panoramic views of Candlestick Tower, the Green River, and the White Rim Road.
A short but steep trail leads to a clear view into Upheaval Dome. Exhibits at the end of the trail discuss this unique geologic feature. One-hundred-foot elevation change (30 m). Hiking to second overlook adds 1 mile (1.5 km) and 50 feet (15 m) elevation change.
This trail leads up the side of a sandstone dome, ending with broad views of Island in the Sky. Be careful: steep drop-offs. Elevation change: 100 feet (30 m)
The trail follows a sandy wash, then splits. The eastern fork to your right ascends Aztec Butte for spectacular views. The western fork on the left climbs the smaller butte then drops below the rim to two ancestral Puebloan structures. Both trails require scrambling up to slickrock and ledges. Entering, touching, or climbing on archeological sites is strictly prohibited. View structures from a distance to protect fragile walls. Elevation change: 225 feet (68 m)
A walk back in time, this loop trail passes historic ranching features and two springs where cowboys watered cattle. With minor elevation changes, this trail is a great way to see some varied plant life. Elevation change: 300 feet / 91 m
Island in the Sky's steepest trail rapidly descends 1,400 feet (427 m) to the White Rim bench. Rough switchbacks cross sheer cliffs and scree slopes. Step carefully, and don't forget to look up to take in the view. Elevation change: 1,400 feet / 427 m
This challenging trail follows the canyons around Upheaval Dome and requires navigating steep switchbacks, climbing and scrambling through boulder fields, and a 1,300-foot (396 m) elevation change. Most park rescues occur on this trail. Carry a map, extra gallons of water, and a flashlight. Hike this trail clockwise for more afternoon shade.
A great full-day hike, this trail drops off the side of the mesa top for a 1,400-foot (427 m) elevation change. The trail offers vast views from the Murphy Hogback, then returns up a wash.
Trail crosses open grassland, then drops 1,600 feet (488 m) into the canyon below. Enjoy views of the La Sal Mountains and fanciful sandstone knobs on this varied and challenging hike to the White Rim.
Trails along the White Rim Road —You cannot reach these trails from the mesa top.
Along White Rim Road. This short walk ends abruptly at an overlook of a meandering gooseneck bend in the Colorado River. Note the rock layers distorted by salt pushing up from below.
Along White Rim Road. Exposed trail crosses a narrow mesa to a high point in a bend of the Green River. A tower structure marks the historic home of ancestral Puebloan people. Entering, touching, or climbing on archeological sites is strictly prohibited. View structures from a distance to protect fragile walls.
Along Taylor Canyon Road. Trail ascends 500 feet (152 m) to the base of prominent sandstone spires. No need to climb the technical routes on Moses and Zeus towers to enjoy stunning views of Taylor Canyon.
The Needles offers over 60 miles of interconnecting trails as challenging as they are rewarding. Many different itineraries are possible, but some of the more popular ones are listed below.
Four short, self-guided trails along the paved scenic drive highlight different aspects of the park's natural and cultural history. Surfaces can be uneven. Trail guides are available at the visitor center and at the trailheads.
Conditions of other trails are more primitive, traversing a mixture of slickrock benches and sandy washes. Longer trails are especially rough and require negotiating steep passes with drop-offs, narrow spots, or ladders. Water in the backcountry is unreliable and scarce in some areas. Trails are marked with cairns (small rock piles). Although most trails can be hiked in a day by strong hikers, many form loops and may be combined with other trails for longer trips. Net elevation change is generally several hundred feet or less, except for the Lower Red Lake Trail, which drops 1,400 feet to the Colorado River.
Protect Your Park - Keep off the Arches.
To promote visitor safety and the opportunity to view natural features undisturbed, climbing, scrambling, walking or standing upon, or rappelling off any arch is prohibited in the park.
This short trail leads to a storage structure built by Indigenous people. Pick up an interpretive guide at the trailhead to learn how they used native plants. Entering, touching, or climbing on the structure is strictly prohibited.
A great introduction to the landscape of The Needles, connecting two canyons for a loop across varied terrain. The route between the canyons climbs steep grades that are dangerous when wet and may make people with a fear of heights uncomfortable. Two backpacking sites in each canyon. Water may be available depending on the season
Big Spring Canyon to Lost Canyon
8.7 miles
(14 km)
4-6 hours
A wonderful loop hike with some difficult sections climbing between the two canyons. Riparian areas in both canyons attract birds and other wildlife. Route in Lost Canyon passes through dense vegetation and may be very wet. One ladder must be climbed. Similar to the Big Spring to Wooden Shoe Canyon loop, but travels deeper into a canyon. Three backpacking sites. Water may be available depending on the season
Unlike other Needles hikes, this trail traverses dry, open country along the northern edge of the geologic faults that shaped the Needles. Trail ends at a cliff overlooking the junction of the Green and Colorado rivers 1,000 (304 m) feet below.
This trail crosses both Wooden Shoe and Lost canyons on its way to Salt Creek Canyon, passing along high slickrock benches with spectacular views. Steep slopes and nearby cliff edges make this a challenging route. Two ladders must be climbed. View prehistoric rock paintings at the end of the trail near Peekaboo camp.
This loop begins at the Needles Campground trailhead and features extended hiking on slickrock benches and mesa tops overlooking canyons. Sections of the trail require hiking up steep and rocky grades, providing views of sheer cliff walls and other rock formations. You will have to climb two ladders in the pass between the canyons.
This trail offers one of the most spectacular views in The Needles. It follows the first part of the Chesler Park trail, then branches off to travel along the bottom of Elephant Canyon through deep sand and loose rock. The last 0.25 mile at the upper end is steep with one ladder and some scrambling.
Very strenuous climb in and out of The Grabens and then descend steeply toward the river. Recommended as a multi-day hike. At-large backpacking only, permit required. No water before reaching the river.
Starting at Cathedral Butte, the trail follows drainage often obscured by dense vegetation. Many archeological sites and arches. Four designated campsites and one at-large camping zone. Water may be available depending on the season. Permits required for all camping.
Horseshoe Canyon is a popular hiking destination in The Maze. Because of the remoteness of The Maze, most other trails are best for overnight trips. Read about backpacking.
Trails in The Maze are steep, unmarked, and minimally maintained. Route finding may be difficult. Some trails require basic climbing manuveurs in order to negogiate sections of steep slickrock and pour-offs. Routes into canyons may have cairns from the mesa top to canyon bottom, but the washes are not marked. The canyons can look similar and be difficult to identify without a topographic map.
Due to the difficulty of accessing trailheads in the Maze (i.e. high clearance 4WD vehicle may be required), hikers typically plan multi-day backpacking trips to reach remote areas.
A moderate trail descending 780 ft (237 m) and continuing through a deep, sandy canyon bottom to view various pictographs and petroglyph sites, including the Great Gallery. Exposed with minimal shade. Not recommended during summer.
Strenuous
Maze Overlook (mesa top to canyon bottom)
1 mile
(12 km)
1 hour
Trail steeply descends from the Maze Overlook down to a wash bottom. A 25-foot (7.6 m) length of rope is often necessary to raise and lower packs in difficult spots. Basic climbing maneveurs are required to negogiate steep slickrock and pour offs. Multiple unmarked routes continue from wash bottom to reach Land of Standing Rocks.
