One Day at Canyonlands Island in the Sky: Complete Guide + One Day Itinerary
Plan the perfect trip to Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky District with this complete travel guide. Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including things to do, when to go, what to bring + a one day itinerary.
After leaving the amazing Park City where we spent an epic week camping at Jordanelle State Park, it was time to head south toward our first National Park in Utah, CANYONLANDS!
We spent one sunny September day exploring Canyonlands Island in the Sky District and it’s by far one of the most unique places we’ve ever seen. If you have just one day or a few days to spare, Canyonlands National Park is totally worth a visit!
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Canyonlands
Getting to Canyonlands
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Things to Do
One Day Itinerary
ABOUT CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Canyonlands is a 337,000 acre National Park located in southeast Utah. It was established in 1964 and is one of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. The park is known for its unique rock layers creating a stunning landscape of arches, mesas, canyons and buttes. The park is separated into four areas, Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and The Rivers.
The most accessible and most visited area of the park is the Island in the Sky District, and features breathtaking views of the Colorado & Green River, incredible hiking trails, camping, and ranger programs.
ENTRANCE FEE
$30 per vehicle which is valid for 7 days. You can also use the America the Beautiful Pass to enter for free.
No reservations are required to visit Canyonlands National Park.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times and no longer than 6 feet in length. They aren’t allowed on any hiking trails, overlooks, or backcountry. They are allowed in developed campgrounds in Island in the Sky and The Needles district, on paved roads, picnic areas, and in vehicles from Shafer Trail to Potash road.
TIP | If you’re visiting Canyonlands with your pets, consider checking out Dead Horse Point State Park. Dead Horse is located right next door to Canyonlands providing some of the same great views, camping, and hiking trails, all with your furry friends.
Rim Trail at Dead Horse Point State Park.
GETTING TO CANYONLANDS ISLAND IN THE SKY
Canyonlands Island in the Sky is located off Utah State Highway 191 in southeast Utah right next door to the popular Arches National Park. The park is conveniently located near the popular outdoor town of Moab making Canyonlands a great stop to add on your trip.
Arches National Park - 30 minutes or 26 miles
Moab - 34 minutes or 30 miles
Grand Junction - 2 hours or 121 miles
Monument Valley - 2.5 hours or 140 miles
Salt Lake City - 4 hours or 242 miles
NEAREST AIRPORTS
Canyonlands Field Airport
Grand Junction Regional Airport
Salt Lake City International Airport
WHEN TO VISIT ISLAND IN THE SKY
SPRING
Most ranger programs run spring through fall and include Geology Talk, Junior Ranger Program, Full Moon Hikes & Stargazing. April to May are popular times to visit for Canyonlands ideal hiking and camping weather. Daily temps hangout between 60 and 80 degrees with lows between 30 to 50.
SUMMER
Summers bring extreme heat with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. Monsoon season in Canyonlands is mid June to mid October bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, and flash floods. Less than half an inch of rainfall within an hour can cause a flash flood.
FALL
September to October is another popular time to visit Canyonlands for its ideal hiking and camping weather.
WINTER
Winters at Canyonlands bring fewer crowds and much colder days. Average highs are between 30 and 50 degrees with lows hanging out below freezing. Roads and trails can be impassable during this time of year. The visitor center is typically open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Always check for current conditions before embarking in Canyonlands National Park.
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
Canyonlands National Park is high desert which means hot and dry especially in the summer. Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love using our insulated water bottles to have ice cold water for the whole day.
Hiking Shoes
While there are many easy paths to explore in Canyonlands there are a few trails that are rocky, sandy, and steep. To have the most comfortable experience on the trails we recommend wearing a proper hiking shoe or boot to provide traction and support.
Sun Protectant
There is no shade on any trails in the park so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
Hiking Sticks
These have been a LIFE SAVER. Hiking sticks are so helpful in giving you extra support as you climb up steep trails as well as coming down steep trails. They provide extra stability and we no longer hike without them.
First Aid Kit
It’s never a bad idea to carry a small first aid kit while exploring in Canyonlands. Cell service doesn’t really exist in the park so it’s good to be prepared in case of an emergency.
Lunch / Snacks
It is highly recommended to pick a lunch and snacks when visiting Canyonlands. There aren’t any food options in the park, so it’s a good idea to pack a good lunch and plenty of snacks.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
VISITOR CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure in Canyonlands National Park. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and permits for backcountry camping. Hours and services vary by season so it’s best to check for current conditions before planning a trip. Wifi is also available here.
WILLOW FLAT CAMPGROUND
Open year round and the only developed campground inside Canyonlands National Park. The campground has 12 sites on a first come first served / no reservations basis. Each site is dry camping, comes with a picnic table & grill/firepit, and can accommodate up to 10 people. There is no water or dump station in the park. Max RV length is 28ft.
Sites are $15 per night.
TOWNS NEARBY
MOAB
A popular outdoor city and known as the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Biking, hiking, off roading, rafting as well as a host of other outdoor activities are what bring most travelers to Moab.
LODGING
Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
Springhill Suites by Marriott Moab
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Moab
Hyatt Place Moab
Wingate by Wyndham Moab
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Moab
Aarchway Inn
Moab Springs Ranch
Comfort Suites Moab
+ much, much more
RV PARKS
Sun Outdoors North Moab
Portal RV Resort
Dowd Flats RV Park
Contractors Roost RV Park
Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway
Sun Outdoors Downtown Moab
Spanish Trail RV Park
OK RV Park
Sunsets Rim Moab RV Park
Sun Outdoors Canyonlands KOA
St Danes Cabins & RV Park
+ much more
FOOD
Moab Grill
Moab Diner
Zax Restaurant
Dewey’s Restaurant & Bar
The Broken Oar
Desert Bistro
Milt’s Stop & Eat
Quesadilla Mobilla
The Trailhead Public House & Eatery
Miguel’s Baja Grill
The Spoke on Center
Gilibertos Mexican Taco Shop
City Market
The Village Market
Moonflower Community Cooperative
Dollar Tree
Dollar General
+ much more
THINGS TO DO
VISITOR CENTER
Start your exploration of Canyonlands at the Visitor Center. Grab a park map and check out the park movie to learn about the history and geology of Canyonlands National Park. Stop at the restroom and get the latest scoop from the park ranger. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at the park store.
SCENIC OVERLOOKS
If you’re not interested in hiking, then look no further than the scenic overlooks along Grand View Road. These are some of best places to take in the views, have a picnic and marvel at the forces of nature at work.
The overlooks you cannot miss are, Shafer Canyon, Grand View Point, and Green River Overlook.
Shafer Canyon Overlook.
GET ON A TRAIL
A great way to explore the incredible nature of Canyonlands National Park. Whether it’s an easy scenic stroll or a challenging day hike, Canyonlands has something for everyone. The most popular in the park are Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, White Rim Overlook, and Upheaval Dome.
For easy trails consider Mesa Arch, White Rim Overlook, Grand View Point, Murphy Point.
For moderate trails consider Upheaval Dome, Whale Rock, Aztec Butte, Neck Spring.
For more strenuous trails consider Gooseberry Canyon, Syncline Loop, Murphy Loop, Alcove Spring, Wilhite.
Mesa Arch.
Whale Rock.
WHITE RIM ROAD
Explore 100 miles of remote wilderness on the White Rim Road. This road travels around and below the Island in the Sky mesa top and provides access to hiking trails, campsites, and scenic overlooks most visitors don’t get to see. A high clearance four wheel drive vehicle is required as well as day use & overnight permits. For a pet friendly day trip take Shafer Trail Road to Potash. Permits are not required for this road.
For more info on off roading in Canyonlands check out the park website.
Share Trail Road.
PARKS AS CLASSROOMS
What better way to learn then by bringing the classroom to the park! The National Park System provides a series of curriculum covering topics such a math, science, social studies, and language arts for elementary and middle school learners. A great option for homeschooling or field trips.
ARTS AT CANYONLANDS
Every summer Canyonlands, as well as Arches, Hovenweep, and Natural Bridges, host community art events in parks. Visitors have the experience of watching artists at work and even the opportunity to create some art for themselves. Visit their page for current artists and events.
A gentleman playing the bagpipes while at Mesa Arch.
EXPERIENCE THE DARK SKIES
Designated a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park, Canyonlands National Park provides spectacular viewing of the night sky. For a memorial experience join an evening ranger program or stay overnight in the campground and experience what a truly dark sky looks like.
BACKPACK THE WILDERNESS
For a more in depth exploration of Canyonlands National Park pick up a backpacking permit and tour the parks remote wilderness. This is a great way to avoid the crowds and experience the incredible night sky. It’s recommended to make a reservation as early as you can. Reservations can be made online up for 4 months in advance. If available, walk up permits can be picked up at the visitor center.
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM
If you’re not able to plan a visit to Canyonlands National Park then this is great way for your kids to still learn about the park without actually being there. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program consists of a series of videos and activities to complete with a Virtual Badge to be given at the end.
ROCK CLIMBING
During the months of March through August rock climbers can explore Canyonlands sandstone pinnacles and towers. No permit is required to rock climb in the park, however day use and overnight permits are required to access the White Rim Road.
For more info on rock climbing in Canyonlands visit the park website.
RIVER TRIPS
Explore the beauty of Canyonlands on a float trip down the Colorado or Green river. Visitors can whitewater raft down Cataract Canyon, a 14 mile stretch of class III and V rapids or enjoy a leisurely kayak paddle on flatwater. Either way it’s sure to be a memorable experience.
For more info on river trips in Canyonlands visit the park website.
ONE DAY ITINERARY
Stop 1. Check out the Visitor Center & secure a campsite.
Stop 2. Shafer Canyon Overlook.
Stop 3. Hike to Mesa Arch
Stop 4. Stop at Candlestick Tower & Buck Canyon Overlook.
Stop 5. Grand View Point Overlook / Trail.
Stop 6. Lunch at the picnic area.
Stop 7. Whale Rock Trail or Upheaval Dome Trail.
Stop 8. Holeman Spring Canyon Overlook.
Stop 9. Green River Overlook.
Stop 10. Set up camp at Willow Flat Campground & enjoy the night sky.
Stop 11. Sunrise at Mesa Arch.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever been to Canyonlands National Park.
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HEY THERE!
WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
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