Top Things to do in Canyonlands National Park
Countries
10 Sights & Landmarks in Canyonlands National Park That You Shouldn't Miss
A great location with trails for mountain biking and sightseeing.
1. Monument Basin
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
A scenic area along the bike route.
Reviewed By paulsY5534PS
Before you post a photo or review here, make sure you in fact visited Monument Basin in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park near Moab, NOT Monument Valley Tribal Park, located on the Navajo reservation several hours south of Moab, just north of Kayenta, AZ. This Monument Basin is in extremely remote and rugged territory and should not be attempted without a high clearance 4WD and then on foot. You can look down on the area from high above at Grand View Point, across the COlorado River at the end of the road in the Island in the Sky District. From there, the towering Totem Pole (the highest formation in the basin) looks like a tiny toothpick. Again, avoid confusing that with a formation of the same name in Monument Valley. This basin has no motel, no gift shop, and you very well may not see another person once you leave the visitor center and venture out into the back countrhy. Know where you are going and be prepared for self rescue. When you get back, please post some correct area pictures so people can see what the national park area (not the tribal park) actually looks like.
2. White Rim Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
100-mile Road Which Most Visitors Bike Or Drive By Four-wheel Vehicles.
Reviewed By JPWalker10 - Poznan, Poland
If you don’t have much time to travel around Moab, this road should be your no. 1 priority! It’s extremely beautiful, views are spectacular. It took us about 1.5hrs to get from Potash to Visitors Centre.
3. Grand View Point Overlook
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 391 reviews
Reviewed By BruinDan - Fullerton, United States
The Grand View Point Overlook is a popular viewpoint at the edge of Island in the Sky mesa in Canyonlands National Park that offers wide and spectacular canyon panoramas. The trailhead is at the end of Grand View Road, the southernmost point along the Island in the Sky Scenic Drive. The trail to Grand View Point is 2.0 mi/3.2 km out and back. The trail is rated “easy” but novice hikers should NOTE that easy does not necessarily mean flat nor paved. There will be some mild ascents and descents (including stairs) as you walk on both sand and slickrock, so you should definitely wear hiking or sturdy walking shoes. The trail is also very exposed, so bringing water, a hat and sunscreen are strongly recommended. The trail itself runs close to the canyon rim, so you will get great views throughout. Once you reach the slickrock the trail sometimes becomes a little hard to follow, so look for the cairns (stacks of rocks) that will guide your way. When the trail ends you’ve arrived at the overlook. There are numerous spots at the overlook where you can sit down, sip some water, enjoy a snack and take in the magnificent view. We had several friendly chipmunks visit us while we sat there; not coincidentally, they suddenly appeared as soon as I opened the wrapper to a granola bar. If you have the time and are physically able, you should definitely take the hike to Grand View Point -- you will consider it one of the highlights of your visit to Canyonlands National Park.
4. Musselman Arch
5. Green River Overlook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By 220kenq
This park offers many beautiful overlooks and this is one of them. Worth a stop to take in the views.
6. False Kiva
7. White Rim Overlook Trail
8. Wooden Shoe Arch overlook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By paulsY5534PS
Wooden Shoe is not as big as those in Arches or perched on the canyon rim like Mesa Arch in the Island in the Sky district. However,, it is still worth a photo stop as it really does look like a Dutch wooden shoe. You don't have to strain your brain to see the resemblance like some other named eroded features. If you take the lower paved road past the ranger residence and the group campsite, you can get a little closer and get a better picture than from the overlook. Shoes usually come in pairs, though. I wonder what happened to the other one.
9. Whale Rock
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By dm555555 - New Jersey, United States
This was an awesome surprise on our trip to CNP. We were able to do it with a 7, 5, 4 year old (going carefully and safely). Little hard to keep on trail (not clearly marked in the bottom, so follow other people up). Great 360 views at the top, lots of fun, definitely a memorable experience.
10. Big Spring Canyon Overlook
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By michaeljones46 - Oklahoma City, United States
End of the road in the Needles District of Canyonlands. Worth a visit, views are stunning and has some awesome rock formations. Nice area to hike around.
