How to Get to Canyonlands National Park:
Canyonlands National Park is located in southeastern Utah. There are two paved entrances into the park: Highway 313 leads to the Island in the Sky District and is 10 miles north of Moab; and Highway 211 leads to the Needles District and is 40 miles south of Moab.Recommended Scenic Routes Near Canyonlands National Park:
If you are planning a trip to Canyonlands National Park, there are two scenic byways you might be interested in taking. The 366-mile Trail of the Ancients in Utah provides access to numerous examples of Ancestral Puebloan culture, other aspects of the Four Corners history and culture, and stunning scenic vistas. The byway is located southeast of Canyonlands National Park and the northern terminus begins in Monticello. From there, you can take US 191 south to Bluff, then take Highway 163 southwest towards Monument Valley or Highway 162 east to the Colorado state line. Other spurs of the byway offer access to Natural Bridges National Monument.Another interesting route, located north of the park, is The Energy Loop: Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway. Deriving its name from the rich coal mining history of the area, the Energy Loop begins and ends at the eastern and western valleys below the Wasatch Plateau. Areas of interest include: the Skyline Mine in Eccles Canyon, which extracts five million tons of coal per year; Helper's Western Mining and Railroad Museum; and the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, site of the densest concentration of Jurassic dinosaur bones ever found. Byway can be reached from Salt Lake City by travelling south on I-15 to US 89 to Fairview. Byway begins there on State Highway 31.
Park Size:
337,598 acresDescription:
In this geological wonderland, rocks, spires, and mesas dominate the heart of the Colorado Plateau cut by canyons of the Green and Colorado rivers. Petroglyphs left by Indians hundreds of years ago are also present. The Colorado and Green rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves. While the districts share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration and the study of natural and cultural history.Things to Do at Canyonlands National Park:
Most visits to Canyonlands involve hiking, biking, boating or four-wheel driving in the park's backcountry. Overnight trips are common. For day trips, the Island in the Sky is the most accessible district, offering expansive views from many overlooks along the paved scenic drive, as well as several short hiking trails. Permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. There is no lodging in Canyonlands. Overnight accommodations are available in the nearby towns of Hanksville, Green River, Moab and Monticello.Operating Hours:
The park is open year-round. Visitor centers are open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours spring through fall. Visitor centers are closed December 25th.History:
Established on September 12, 1964.Contact Information:
Canyonlands National Park2282 SW Resource Blvd
Moab, UT 84532
Visitor Information: 435-719-2313
Backcountry Information: 435-259-4351