Canyonlands National Park is located in the US state of Utah, easily accessible from the city of Moab. One of the nation’s top, underrated US parks, it spans an area of 337,598 acres. Unsurprisingly, it offers visitors an assortment of exceptional opportunities for four-wheeling, camping, canyoneering, and hiking.

Indeed, hiking is one of the best ways to truly explore this vast, awe-inspiring, otherworldly natural wonder. Surprisingly, even though this park is off the beaten path and undeniably rugged, a lot of the best hikes here are short and comparatively easy. The majority are family-friendly, unique trails and offer travelers extraordinary Instagrammable opportunities. To assist you in determining which hiking trails are best for you and yours, here are the 15 best hikes in Canyonlands National Park.

The Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park

The best time to hike here and enjoy Canyonlands is from the fall through late spring. That’s when the weather is generally consistent and the temperature during the day is reportedly somewhere “between the upper 60s to low 80s.” While you may be tempted to visit during the summer, you should know that it is very hot and the temperature often breaks 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

If that is the only time you can venture to this park, plan on being on the hiking trails by sunrise and completing the hikes by noon. Afternoon thunderstorms are common too so bring a raincoat. This place is uniquely beautiful in the winter and heavy snowfall is rare; but it still gets old, especially after sunset.

You should also know that ice sometimes accumulates on the trails, making some of them dangerous and others totally inaccessible. On the other hand, you won’t find a lot of tourists there in the winter. Just be smart and keep yourself updated on the weather reports and be sure to make a backup plan.

Experts report that the lower-elevation Needles District is usually a wee bit warmer than popular Island in the Sky. It’s also good to know that Canyonlands National Park doesn’t attract as many travelers as Arches National Park, so tourist crowds aren’t a real problem. The popular Mesa Arch trail can get a little crowded if you decide to hike it during the peak season, but it’s still doable. As previously reported, if you arrive very early in the morning or even late in the afternoon you will avoid most of the tourists.

The Different Regions

Here is a basic overview of Canyonlands National Park’s five districts:

Colorado and Green Rivers

The confluence of the Colorado and Green rivers is found in the very heart of the park. It offers travelers both astounding views and exciting rafting opportunities.  

Horseshoe Canyon

Horseshoe Canyon is a “day-use” only region. It is comparatively isolated and well-known for its ancient Puebloan rock art.

Island in the Sky

This is the most accessible and popular area in the entire park. Here you will find nigh-iconic viewpoints, a stunning scenic drive, and a number of the park’s best hikes.

The Maze

This region is perhaps the furthest off the grid and maybe the most rugged as well. If you want to experience this area be sure you have some backcountry experience and a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The Needles

The Needles is stark and best known for its odd, Mars-like landscapes and rugged sandstone formations.   

The 15 Best Hikes in Canyonlands National Park

The Best Hikes in Colorado and Green Rivers District

This distinct district is highlighted by both desert landscapes and surprisingly lush greenery. Hiking here is limited, but you can also go rafting and kayaking.

1. The Confluence Overlook Trail

This is an out-and-back, 10-mile trail. With an elevation of 1,371 feet, it has a difficulty rating of moderate to challenging. The steep canyons here make it somewhat difficult to get a good view let alone get really close to the rivers.

This trail is the exception. It provides hikers with a real bird’s eye view of the confluence from 1,000 up. The gain in elevation is not sudden, but the ups and downs are still sometimes significant. You must also hike over slickrock and sand.  

The Best Hikes in Horseshoe Canyon

When hiking here you are actually closer to well-known Capitol Reef National Park than Island in the Sky, so you could combine your visit. 

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The Great Gallery Hike 

The Great Gallery Hike is a challenging one. It is a 7.2-mile out-and-back hike with an elevation of 660 feet. It reportedly provides hikers with a unique experience smack dab in the middle of (what seems to be) nowhere. This hike along a sandy trail includes a steep descent and will slowly lead you to a huge rock wall, the Great Gallery, where you will see some amazingly well-preserved ancient art. Indeed, a few of the figures are actually life-sized!

The Best Hikes in Island in the Sky

Island in the Sky is named thus for its sheer, striking sandstone cliffs situated 1,000 feet above the distinctive desert. If you’re not feeling athletic, you can take the scenic drive. Most of the overlooks are situated atop the mesa. 

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The Mesa Arch Trail

This is a 0.5-mile loop at an elevation of 56 feet. Thus, it’s rated as an easy hike. Nevertheless, experts say it is the “quintessential” hike here in Canyonlands National Park.  

Indeed, for such minimal physical effort, the payoff here is noteworthy. The views of the La Sal Mountains through the iconic Mesa Arch itself are quite breathtaking. The best time to complete this hike is just before sunrise. Veteran visitors confirm that seeing the sun slowly rise up over the massive mountains as its earliest beams shine through the well-known arch is truly unforgettable.

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Grand View Point Trail

If you’d like another easy trail, this one is just 1.8 miles out and back with an elevation of 160 feet. Most importantly, despite its “easy” rating, it really pays out! As you might infer from its name, this trail takes you along the edge of the canyon and provides pretty panoramic views of everything, including both of the rivers for comparatively little effort.  

Stop at the Grand View Point Overlook first and take in the sights. They get even better as you go too. This trail may be rated easy, but it should also be called “short and sweet.”

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The Green River Overlook Hike

Okay, this is not really a hike. This is more like a 0.2-mile, out-and-back stroll at an elevation of six and a half feet. Need we even note it is rated “easy”?

The viewpoint that faces south overlooks the mighty Green River from 1,300 feet above. Green River Overlook is also said by many visitors to be one of the very best spots in the entire park to see the sunset. It’s also a great place to see White Rim Road, The Maze, and maybe even a marriage. It is actually reported to be a popular place for elopements.

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The White Rim Overlook

This easy hike to this overlook is at an elevation of 160 feet and has a total out-and-back distance of 1.8 miles. Yes, it is yet another Canyonlands hike that comes complete with a super effort-to-reward ratio, providing hikers with incredible views at the close of an easy walk along the rim. Get a good gander at the White Rim Road and the Colorado River on the canyon floor. Additionally, you’ll find the trail’s generally never busy. 

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Murphy Point Trail

At 3.6 miles, out-and-back, this trail is one of the longer ones here. Nevertheless, it rated easy and at an elevation of 148 feet, hiking can still be comparatively relaxing. As you skirt the canyon’s edge, you’ll hike through brush ‘til it widens to a place where you’ll enjoy striking views of Candlestick Tower, the Green River, and White Rim Road. The best time to complete this hike is after you watch the sunrise at the popular Mesa Arch.

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Aztec Butte 

This hike may only have an out-and-back distance of 1.8 miles, but with an elevation of 260 feet, it’s rated as a moderately difficult hike. It’s a unique hike through a sandy wash which also makes the hike a little more difficult than others and slows you down a bit. The trail splits where the sand ends.  

Head one way and, after scrambling over some rocks, you’ll reach the top of the Aztec Butte. Choose the other route and you will circle a shorter butte. Either way, you’ll see ancient Puebloan granaries. 

The Best Hikes in The Maze

Remember, you shouldn’t attempt hiking these trails unless you’re an experienced backcountry hiker. Access is limited to the canyon’s depth and some trails are unmarked. A 4X4 vehicle is required to reach the trailheads. Maps are essential.

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Chocolate Drops Trail

Even though this trail takes some effort to access, has an elevation of 580 feet, and an out-and-back distance of 7.3 miles, it is not really that physically demanding and is thus considered “easy.” The trail follows a notably flat ridge to a quartet of giant wall-like formations of sandstone. (It is unclear who thought these look like chocolate drops.) It’s a great hike if you want to avoid crowds too. That makes sense since the trailhead is over four hours off of Highway 95 and you need four-wheel-drive to navigate the rough road.

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The Maze Overlook 

The hike to the popular Maze Overlook is a challenging one. It has an out-and-back distance of eight miles and an elevation of 965. Also known as a popular mountain bike route, it begins at the Hans Flat Ranger Station and provides a striking view of the whole district before you head into a veritable labyrinth of canyons.

You will also come across hoodoos, sand, slickrock, and slot canyons. You will have to do some scrambling but there are enough footholds and ledges to manage. A four-wheel drive is reportedly required for going anywhere past the ranger station. 

The Best Hikes in The Needles

The Needles interlinking trails include narrow sections, rough terrain, and steep drop-offs. Experts recommend hikers have previous backcountry experience. 

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Cave Spring Hike 

This is an easy hike with an elevation of 39 feet. This 0.6-mile loop is a great hike, especially for history buffs. You get to see the spring, ancient rock markings, and the old cowboy camp full of original artifacts. You’ll need to climb a pair of wooden ladders to get to the top.

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Pothole Point

This is an easy, family-friendly 0.6-mile loop trail with an elevation of 39 feet. Here you follow cairns over slickrock past the potholes that fill with rainwater. The views are memorable and if the namesake potholes have water in them, you might spot shrimp, snails, and worms too.

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Slickrock Foot Trail 

This popular 2.4-mile loop trail has an elevation of 138 feet and is rated as moderately difficult. Your journey begins at the Big Spring Canyon Overlook and leads to the very top of a sandstone plateau. You can enjoy remarkable panoramic views from this series of overlooks here. We suggest the third one, Lower Little Spring Canyon. 

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Druid Arch

The hike here is a challenging 11-mile loop at an elevation of 1,615 feet. The trail begins at the Elephant Hill Trailhead and continues along the Chesler Park Trail prior to branching off into Elephant Canyon’s bottom. You’ll encounter deep sand and slot canyons. Finally, you’ll do some steep scrambling and climb a ladder. The view from the top is well worth the effort.

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Squaw Flat Trail to Lost Canyon

Last is another challenging hike on a 9.5-mile, out-and-back trail. The elevation here in this remote area is 1,490 feet. It starts at the popular Peekaboo Trail from the popular Squaw Flat Campground. You will come across steep drop-offs, sand, narrow colorful canyons, and a ladder located in the Lost Canyon area.

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