Located in Southern Utah, Canyonlands National Park covers a vast landscape defined by high desert, unique geology, beautiful mesas, and otherworldly landscapes carved by wind and water. At a whopping 337,598 acres, Canyonlands is also the largest of the five national parks in Utah, and the park is divided into 3 distinct sections. Each district of the park offers a unique visitor experience. In this blog post we share the perfect 2 day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park. Our itinerary focuses on the Island in the Sky and the Needles districts, which we describe below. We also share everything you need to know before planning a trip to Canyonlands, including what to pack, what time of year to visit, and where to stay during your trip.

Looking for more Mighty Five itineraries? Click here! I especially recommend checking our two day Arches National Park itinerary, since Arches is located very close to Canyonlands. 

The perfect 2 day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park

Our 2 day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park takes you to the best hikes and photo spots in the national park. We also share when to visit, where to stay during your trip, and details on the three sections of the national park.

Our 2 day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park is divided into two sections. First, we share everything you need to know to plan a visit. Second, we share our 2 day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park. Our itinerary includes one day in the Island in the Sky District, followed by one day in the Needles district of Canyonlands. You can read more about the districts, and park layout, below. 

What you need to know when planning a trip to Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park – understanding the 3 sections (districts) of the park

Canyonlands is divided into three main sections of the park: The Needles district, the Island in the Sky district, and the Maze district. The “unofficial” fourth section of the park is the river itself, which is popular for rafting and watersports. Below, we provide a quick overview of the 3 sections of Canyonlands National Park. Many of the sections of the park offer opportunities for off roading, but permits are required for some off roading areas.

You can find a map of Canyonlands National Park here.

The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands

The Island in the Sky District is the most popular part of the park to visit. This is where you’ll find the iconic Mesa Arch. This is one of the most recognizable photography spots in the national park. This section is located to the west of Moab, Utah, and it’s where you’ll find the main visitors center and most of the park’s resources for visitors. This section of the park is located on a mesa, so your views are mostly of deep, craggy canyons below you. Day one of our Canyonlands itinerary focuses on this section of the park.

The Needles District of Canyonlands

The Needles District is located to the south of Moab, and is a farther drive than the Island in the Sky District. As a result, this area of the park is visited far less frequently. In the Needles you’ll find a landscape full of stunning rock spires. Day two of our Canyonlands itinerary focuses on this section of the park.

The Maze District of Canyonlands

The Maze is the only section of Canyonlands National Park that we didn’t explore. This section requires plenty of time (usually several days), advance preparation and self sufficiency, and a high clearance 4×4 vehicle. You can read more about this section, and how to plan a trip to The Maze, here.

The best time of year to visit Canyonlands National Park

What is the best time of year to visit Canyonlands National Park? For me, weather and crowds are the main factors to consider when planning a trip to Canyonlands. Canyonlands is located in the high desert of southern Utah, and visitors will encounter big temperature fluctuations throughout the day, and throughout the year. You’ll need to account for this when planning your trip!

Summers in Canyonlands National Park are hot, with average high temperatures in the 90s and above from June – August. Summer is also the rainy season, and big storms can cause dangerous flash floods and lighting. Winters are cold, with average highs in the 40s (and lows in the 20s) in December and January. Snow and ice are possible on trails and roads during this time, but large snowfalls are rare. According to monthly visitation stats, December – February are the least popular times of year to visit the park. If you want to avoid crowds and don’t mind the cold I think winter is the perfect time to visit!

April, May, September, and October tend to be the most temperate times to visit, with average highs in the 70s and 80s, and lows in the 40s and 50s. However, April and May are also the busiest months to visit Canyonlands National Park. 

No matter what time of year you visit, take note of the big temperature fluctuations from day to night – this is a characteristic of the high desert, and something to be mindful of when planning your adventures. Click here to read more about the weather and conditions in Canyonlands. 

What to pack for a trip to Canyonlands

• America the Beautiful park pass – If you plan to visit more than two national parks a year (usually $30 per entry), then I highly recommend purchasing the America the Beautiful park pass for unlimited entry to all national parks and national monuments! 
• Hiking boots with good traction – The sandstone in this park can feel slick, meaning your shoes should have good traction for your safety. These hiking boots have been my go-to for over 4 years!
• Trail Crampons (in winter) – Trail crampons (also called ‘microspikes’) are placed over your shoes so that they grip the icy trails when you’re walking, preventing slips and falls.
• Hand warmers (in winter) – Canyonlands can get COLD! I love these rechargeable hand warmers from Zippo. 
• Large water bottle – You are responsible for packing in all of your own water at Canyonlands! The visitor center has a drinking fountain and water bottle fill station.
• Sun protection – Canyonlands is incredibly sunny year round (even in winter)! Visitors should always pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and clothing that protects your skin from sunburn. One of our hot weather staples is REI’s Sahara Sun Hoodie (for women and men). They offer UPF 50+ sun protection, and they’re a good price point. 

Check out our hiking gear guide below for all of our favorite gear!

Where to stay when visiting Canyonlands National Park

There are a number of lodging options in and around Canyonlands National Park. Below we share our recommendation for a hotel in Moab, as well as information on backpacking, camping, and boondocking in and around the national park.

Best hotel near Canyonlands

When we visited Canyonlands we stayed at Hoodoo Moab, which we highly recommend. This property is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, which are known for their one-of-a-kind destinations and elevated properties. The rooms were quiet, the beds were comfortable, and the hotel rooms offered fantastic views of the red rocks surrounding Moab. 

The Hoodoo is also centrally located in Moab, which means you can easily walk to just about everything in town. There is a fantastic outdoor pool and hot tub that make this a great spot for families. There is also an on-site restaurant called Josie Wyatt’s Grille.

The Hoodoo Moab is about half way between the Day 1 itinerary in the ‘Island in the Sky’ district and the Day 2 itinerary in the ‘Needles District’ making it a perfect midway rest stop with plenty of dining options nearby.

Backpacking, camping, and boondocking in Canyonlands

In addition to hotels, there are a multitude of backpacking, camping, and boondocking options in and around Canyonlands. If you’re looking to stay in the park there are two campgrounds available (one in the Needles District, and one in the Island in the Sky district), as well as a multitude of backpacking and backcountry sites. Permits are required for overnight backpacking and boating trips. More details can be found here. Campgrounds fill up quickly from spring – fall, but when we visited in winter they were virtually empty.

Outside of paid campgrounds and backpacking, there is also abundant BLM land near both the Island in the Sky and the Needles districts. We stayed on land adjacent to both, and recommended the app iOverlander for finding a space that suits your needs. The spots we chose required four wheel drive and moderate clearance. 

Travel tip: Please respect the land by packing out all trash, and thoroughly drowning any campfires. Don’t be the cause of the next big burn that destroys homes, lives, and our shared public lands!

2 day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park

Below you will find a 2 day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park. Day one of the itinerary focuses on the Island in the Sky district of the park, while day two takes you to the Needles district. 

Day One: 1 day itinerary for the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands

This day 1 itinerary takes you to the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands. Your day starts with an early morning wake up call, but it’s worth it! You’ll see two iconic overlooks, followed by a series of short hikes. We also provide information about a longer and more challenging hike in the park (the Syncline Loop), which is a great option for more adventurous hikers. 

Sunrise at Mesa Arch

Start your day off with sunrise at Mesa Arch. This is arguably the most recognizable photography spot in all of Canyonlands. When the sun rises it is perfectly framed by the arch, with a stunning backdrop of mountains, mesas, and deep purple canyons. The hike to the arch is 0.6 miles round trip.

A few things to know about this spot… First, the arch is SMALL, and honestly not very impressive outside of sunrise. We went twice when we were in Canyonlands. The first day it was cloudy and the arch was kind of a let down, but it was beautiful when we saw the sunrise there on a sunny day! Second, and perhaps most important, this area is POPULAR. Even on a freezing day in January there was a line of photographers who showed up hours before sunrise to set up their tripods to get the ‘perfect shot’. Show up early if you want to get an iconic sunrise photo at Mesa Arch!

Travel tip: I recommend shooting Mesa Arch with a wide angle lens. See above for all of our camera gear recommendations, including the lens and camera body I used to get these shots.

Take in the views at the Green River Overlook

After sunrise at Mesa Arch I recommend going to Green River Overlook to take in the views. The overlook itself is right next to the parking lot, so it doesn’t require much walking. The overlook provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains, buttes, and the Green RIver.

See the mysterious Upheaval Dome

Next, check out one of the park’s biggest mysteries: Upheaval Dome Overlook. This unique geological feature is 3 miles across and features jagged and deformed rocky layers. 

Why is this spot mysterious, you may ask? Scientists aren’t entirely sure what caused this unique formation, but you can read about the theories on the information signage at the site. There are two overlook options – the first is a 0.6 mile round trip hike, and the second requires a 1.5 mile round trip hike. 

Hike the Grand View Overlook and Trail or the White Rim Overlook Trail

These two hikes are both stunning, but the views are similar enough that you probably don’t need to do both. Choose your own adventure below!

Grand View Overlook and Trail

Located at the southernmost end of the Island in the Sky scenic drive, Grand View point offers sweeping vistas of the national park. You’ll even be able to see The Maze and The Needles districts from here! You can just do a short stroll to the overlook, but I recommend hiking the 1.8 mile trail here. It’s flat, relatively easy, and offers some great views throughout. This parking lot can fill up quickly during the busy season, though… if it’s full, I recommend doing the White Rim Overlook instead (see below)!

White Rim Overlook Trail

The White Rim Overlook trail is a short (1.8 mile round trip) hike that offers stunning views of Monument Basin, similar to the Grand View Overlook and Trail. It’s also a better fit for people who dislike hiking close to steep drop offs.

Aztec Butte Trail

This short hike (1.4 miles round trip) takes you to ancient granaries that indigenous people used to store food and medicine. Please respect these fragile archaeological sites by not touching or entering them. 

Shafer Trail Viewpoint

End your day with a quick stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Shafer Trail, which is one of the most iconic off-road drives in America. The road switchbacks precariously down the side of the mountain deep into the depths of Canyonlands National Park. The Shafer Trail viewpoint offers a great opportunity to see the iconic road, and to watch as cars descend.

Want to actually drive Shafer Trail? You need a high clearance, 4X4, and permit for certain sections of the road. However, the start of the drive can be done by just about any car! We went down the road for about 20 minutes, but ended up turning around due to ice on the road (and Amiana’s fear of heights – she didn’t enjoy the drive!).

Optional: Syncline Loop Trail

If you’re craving a more challenging all-day adventure, I recommend hiking the Syncline Loop Trail after visiting the Green River Overlook. This hike is most appropriate for more advanced hikers who are comfortable with trail finding and navigation. It’s 8 miles long, and features 1,500 feet of elevation gain and loss as well as boulder scrambling. It is considered the most challenging hike in this section of the national park. The trail takes hikers through canyons around Upheaval Dome. Pack plenty of water as there are no water sources along the way.

Day Two: 1 day itinerary for the Needles District of Canyonlands

Day two of our itinerary takes you to the Needles District of Canyonlands, which is located south of moab. I think this is the coolest part of Canyonlands National Park!

The hiking options we have listed below are on the longer side. If you’re looking for short and easy hikes in the Needles I recommend using this resource from the National Park Service.

Hike Chesler Park in the Needles District

Chesler Park is the most popular hike in the Needles District, and for good reason. This hike offers fantastic views of the sandstone spires that define the Needles District. Depending how you do the hike, you can also see a unique arch, or explore deep and narrow fractures in the rock in a section of the trail known as ‘The Joint.’

There are three options for this trail, all with varying lengths and difficulty levels. See below for three options for this hike, listed by level of difficulty! We did option 3, which we highly recommend if you’re up for a long hike. All of these hikes require navigating rocky ground and elevation gain and loss.

Option 1: Chesler Park Viewpoint Trail

This 5.6 mile hike takes you to a stunning overlook with views of sandstone spires. It’s an out and back trail with beautiful views throughout. 

Option 2: Chesler Park Loop and Joint Trail

The Chesler Park Loop and Joint Trail is a longer version of the hike listed above. At 10.7 miles, this trail isn’t for the faint of heart. However, you’ll get to experience fantastical views of the park’s spires, as well as the unique “Joint Trail,” which takes you along a section of trail that goes through deep fissures in the rock. It feels like straight up and down slot canyon, and was my favorite part of the hike!

Option 3: Chesler Park and Druid Arch Loop

Up for more? You can make the Chesler Park Loop and Joint Trail hike (option 2) longer by going to Druid Arch. Druid Arch is a large and unique arch structure hidden in the center of the park. It looks otherworldly! The full hike (Chesler Park Loop and Joint Trail PLUS Druid Arch) is 14 miles and features 2,500 feet of elevation gain. See here for the AllTrails link. 

Druid Arch can also be done on its own as a 9.7 mile out and back day hike. You can find details on hiking to Druid Arch here.

I hope you found our 2 day itinerary for Canyonlands National Park helpful! You can find more USA national park itineraries here. Looking for more Mighty Five itineraries? Click here! I especially recommend checking our two day Arches National Park itinerary, since Arches is located very close to Canyonlands.