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Canyonlands National Park

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Overview

Canyonlands National Park is a national park of the United States located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab. The park preserves a colorful landscape eroded into numerous canyons, mesas, and buttes by the Colorado River, the Green River, and their respective tributaries. Legislation creating the park was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 12, 1964.

The park is divided into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the combined rivers—the Green and Colorado—which carved two large canyons into the Colorado Plateau. While these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character. Author Edward Abbey, a frequent visitor, described the Canyonlands as "the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth—there is nothing else like it anywhere".

Wikivoyage guide · 31 sections

▸Introduction505 chars

Canyonlands National Park is a national park in Utah's Canyon Country. The small town of Moab is the gateway to this and the nearby Arches National Park. It is divided into three districts not connected by roads interior to the park: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze (including Horseshoe Canyon). The Island in the Sky offers sweeping vistas over the lower two districts; the Needles and the Maze are more rugged, backcountry districts that offer excellent backcountry hikes and camping.

▸History1,244 chars

From the 1880s to 1975, local ranchers used much of Canyonlands for winter pasture, constructing trails to move their stock across the rugged terrain. In the 1950s the growth of America's nuclear arms program created a high demand for uranium. To encourage prospectors, the Atomic Energy Commission offered monetary incentives and built almost 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of road in southeast Utah. In Canyonlands, these roads include the popular White Rim Road at the Island in the Sky. Though the region produced substantial amounts of uranium, miners discovered very little in what is now Canyonlands. However, the newly created roads led to other discoveries. For the first time, much of Canyonlands could be seen from a car. Tourism slowly increased as more people learned about the area's geologic wonders. By opening canyon country to travel, the miners blazed the trail for the creation of a National Park.

In the 1950s and early 1960s, Arches National Monument Superintendent Bates Wilson advocated the creation of a National Park in what is now Canyonlands. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson established Canyonlands National Park consisting of 257,640 acres. Congress expanded Canyonlands to its present size of 337,598 acres in 1971.

Facts

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia3,478 words

WBP editorial3

How to weave the districts into one trip

Most visitors treat Island in the Sky as a day trip, but the park rewards a slower rhythm. Begin with the mesa loops at Grand View Point for sunrise, then chase the afternoon light into the Needles where the rock layers shift hue. If you have a spare day, the Maze demands a backcountry permit and a sturdy 4WD; the reward is solitude among labyrinthine canyons that feel more like a desert pilgrimage than a park visit. By sequencing the districts from east to west you avoid backtracking, and you experience the subtle change in vegetation, from pinyon‑juniper stands to sage‑brush flats, which subtly mirrors the geological story.

Beyond the trails: the park’s forgotten cultural layer

While the geology steals the headlines, Canyonlands sits atop a landscape once traversed by Anasazi and Fremont peoples. Small petroglyph panels near the White Rim Road hint at seasonal hunting camps, and the nearby Bluff Creek village offers a chance to see reconstructed tipis. A short detour to the Horse Canyon petroglyphs, reachable by a moderate hike, adds a human dimension to the stark scenery. Engaging with these sites, preferably with a knowledgeable guide, deepens your sense of place and reminds you that the canyons have been a corridor of movement for millennia.

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▸Landscape788 chars

Canyonlands National Park preserves one of the last relatively undisturbed areas of the Colorado Plateau, a geological province that encompasses much of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Carved out of vast sedimentary rock deposits, this landscape of canyons, mesas, and deep river gorges possesses remarkable natural features that are part of a unique desert ecosystem. Elevations within the park range from 3,700 to 7,200 feet above sea level.

The foundation of Canyonlands' ecology is its remarkable geology, which is visible everywhere in cliff profiles that reveal millions of years of deposition and erosion. These rock layers continue to shape life in Canyonlands today, as their erosion influences elemental features like soil chemistry and where water flows when it rains.

▸Flora and fauna1,610 chars

The desert animals that live in the park are mostly nocturnal and include kangaroo rats, woodrats (also called packrats) and most other small desert rodents, skunks, ringtails, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, bats and owls. Other animals are most active during dawn and dusk hours and include mule deer, desert bighorn, coyotes, porcupines, desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, and many songbirds. The handful of animals likely to be seen during the day include rock squirrels, antelope squirrels, chipmunks, lizards, snakes, hawks, and eagles.

Plants in the park include drought escapers (those which make use of favorable conditions when they exist) and drought resistors (those capable of growing with little water). Drought escapers are usually annuals that grow only when enough water is available. Seeds may lie dormant for years if conditions are not favorable. Most grasses are escapers, as are wildflowers that bloom after seasonal rains during spring or late summer. Drought resistors are typically perennials. Many have small, spiny leaves that reduce the impact of solar radiation, and some may drop their leaves if water is unavailable. Spines and hairy leaves act to reduce exposure to air currents and solar radiation, limiting the amount of water lost to evaporation. Cacti, yuccas and mosses are examples of drought resistors. Yuccas have extensive taproots that are able to use water beyond the reach of other plants. Moss, a plant not commonly associated with deserts, thrives because it can tolerate complete dehydration: when rains finally return, mosses green up immediately.

▸Climate732 chars

Southeast Utah is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April through May) and fall (mid-September through October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80°F and lows average 30 to 50°F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Late summer monsoon season brings violent storm cells which often cause flash floods. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50°F, and lows averaging 0 to 20°F. Though large snowfalls are uncommon (except in nearby mountains), even small amounts of snow or ice can make local trails and roads impassable.

▸Visitor information12 chars

Park website

▸By plane164 chars

Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY IATA), from which Great Lakes Airlines provides daily commuter service to Denver, is on US Route 191 16 miles north of downtown Moab.

▸By car1,202 chars

To reach the Island in the Sky district take US Highway 191 to Utah Highway 313 (10 mi/16 km north of Moab, or 22 mi/35 km south of I-70) and then drive southwest 22 mi/35 km. Driving time to the visitor center from Moab is roughly 40 minutes.

The Needles district can be reached by driving 40 miles (60 km) south of Moab or 14 miles (22 km) north of Monticello on US Highway 191, then take Utah Highway 211 roughly 35 miles (56 km) west. Highway 211 ends in the Needles, and is the only paved road leading in and out of the district.

The Maze district is one of the most inaccessible areas in the continental United States. The outskirts of the Maze can be reached by driving two and one-half hours from Green River. From I-70, take Utah Highway 24 south for 24 miles. A left hand turn just beyond the turnoff to Goblin Valley State Park will take you along a two-wheel-drive dirt road 46 miles (76 km) southeast to the ranger station. From the ranger station, the canyons of the Maze are another 3 to 6 hours by high-clearance, 4WD (more if traveling by foot). Another four-wheel-drive road leads into the Maze north from Highway 95 near Hite Marina (driving time is 3+ hours to the park boundary).

▸Fees and permits2,541 chars

Entrance fees are good for seven days. Entrance fees as of 2020 are:

$15 per person

$25 motorcycle

$30 private vehicle

$55 Southeast Utah Parks Annual Pass (allows unlimited entry to Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument for one year)

The America the Beautiful Pass, also called the Interagency Pass, provides entry to Canyonlands National Park and all national parks, as well as some national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and national forests. A single pass applies for an entire group traveling together in a private vehicle, or up to four people on foot or bike. There are several pass types:

The Annual Pass (valid for twelve months from date of issue) can be purchased by anyone. $80 for U.S. citizens and residents, $250 for non-U.S. residents, $20 for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over, and free for current military personnel (must show a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID).

The Lifetime Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available for $80 to U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over, and free for veterans and Gold Star families (families of servicemembers who were killed in action). Applicants must provide documentation showing they are eligible. This pass also provides a 50% discount on some park amenities.

The Access Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available for free to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and permanent disability. This pass also provides a 50% discount on some park amenities.

The Volunteer Pass is available for free to individuals who have volunteered 250 or more hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.

The free Annual 4th Grade Pass (valid for September to August of the 4th grade school year) allows entry to the bearer and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. Registration at the Every Kid Outdoors website is required.

In 2026, the National Park Service offers free admission to all national parks on 10 days:

President's Day (February 16)

Memorial Day (May 25)

Flag Day (June 14)

Independence Day Weekend (July 3-5)

The National Park Service Birthday (August 25)

Constitution Day (September 17)

Theodore Roosevelt's birthday (October 27)

Veterans Day (November 11)

Fees may be waived for groups whose purpose is educational rather than recreational; check with the park in advance for fee waiver details.

▸By car823 chars

Travel to Canyonlands generally requires a car. Once in the park, each district offers different opportunities for exploration. The Island in the Sky is the most accessible district and the easiest to visit in a short period of time. All other destinations require some boating, hiking or four-wheel driving to see the area's attractions.

High-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles are often needed to access many of the park's back-country attractions. The Island in the Sky has steep exposed switchbacks, and rocky terrain with expansive views of Canyonlands. The Needles offers more of a back-country setting with 50 miles of rugged trails including the renowned Elephant Hill. High-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle are required for all Maze back-country roads, which are considered very difficult under any condition.

▸By plane449 chars

Daily air tours to Canyonlands National Park in a Cessna aircraft are provided from the Canyonlands Field Airport in Moab. The aircraft seats about 7 people (including the pilot). The flights take you over all of the most scenic parts of Canyonlands including the Maze District, Island in the Sky, Dead Horse Point, the Colorado River and more. Typically flights last about 1–2 hours. Helicopter flights are also available as a tour-by-air option.

▸See253 chars

The park is divided into three districts. Island in the Sky is the northern portion of the park and the most easily accessible. The Needles District is in the southeast, while the Maze District is in the southwest and is accessible only via rough roads.

▸Island in the Sky District673 chars

The Island in the Sky District encompasses the northern section of the park, offering an overlook of much of Canyonlands. The 34-mile (round-trip) scenic drive passes several overlooks, providing dramatic views.

1 Grand View Point. An impressive overlook of the canyons, with particularly incredible sunset views.

2 Green River Overlook. An overlook from which visitors can see the Green River, which along with the Colorado River is responsible for carving out the landscape. This overlook is also particularly scenic at sunset.

3 Upheaval Dome. An unusual crater that can be reached via a short but strenuous trail.

4 Mesa Arch. Views of the arch are best at sunrise.

▸Needles District992 chars

The Needles District forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands and was named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area. The district's extensive trail system provides many opportunities for long day hikes and overnight trips.

5 Big Spring Canyon Overlook. Accessible by road, this overlook provides a scenic view of the landscape.

6 Tower Ruin. An ancient Puebloan structure accessible by foot or 4WD vehicle.

7 Confluence Overlook. The confluence of the Colorado and Green rivers is accessible only by foot or by 4WD vehicle.

8 Druid Arch. A natural arch located at the end of a long canyon, accessible by foot.

9 Joint Trail. A narrow crack in the earth, the Joint Trail extends for several hundred meters and is often no more than a few feet wide with walls extending several stories into the air.

10 Chesler Park. In the heart of the Needles, this area is accessible by foot and is surrounded by the sandstone formations that gave the district its name.

▸Maze District1,188 chars

The Maze District is accessible only by unpaved roads and is considered one of the most remote areas in the lower-48 states. The Maze District is also well known as a hideout for famous outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The Hans Flat Ranger Station is open year-round from 8AM-4:30PM and offers books and maps for sale. There are no entrance fees charged in the Maze District, and no services or amenities are available.

11 Chocolate Drops. The Chocolate Drops are a series of sandstone mesas that rise above the surrounding landscape. They are also known as Locomotive Buttes. Vintage maps and guide books refer to this feature as the Chocolate Bars, has been unfortunately misnamed on contemporary maps.

12 Horseshoe Canyon. Horseshoe Canyon contains some of the most significant rock art in North America. The Great Gallery, the best known panel in Horseshoe Canyon, includes well-preserved, life-sized figures with intricate designs. Other impressive sights include spring wildflowers, sheer sandstone walls and mature cottonwood groves along the intermittent stream in the canyon bottom. Horseshoe Canyon was added to Canyonlands National Park in 1971. (updated Jun 2020)

▸Hiking210 chars

The park is a hotspot for hikers. The Joint Trail is a particularly famous trail due to the unique terrain through which it passes, although nearly all of the park's trails lead through unique geological areas.

▸Island in the Sky District3,275 chars

1 Aztec Butte Trail. (2 mi / 3 km round-trip). This trail ascends 225 ft / 69 m up a slickrock dome to some ancestral Puebloan granaries and outstanding views of Taylor Canyon.

2 Grand View Point Trail. (2 mi / 3 km round-trip). This trail offers an easy walk out to the very end of the Island in the Sky mesa, including panoramic views.

3 Mesa Arch. (0.5 mi / 0.8 km round trip). A mild walk out to an arch perched right on a cliff edge. A great sunrise hike.

4 Upheaval Dome Overlook Trail. (1 mi / 1.5 km round-trip to first overlook). Good view of a very intriguing rock formation. Hiking to the second overlook adds 1 mi / 1.5 km.

5 Whale Rock Trail. (1 mi / 1.5 km round trip to main overlook). Starting near the Upheaval Dome parking area, this trail climbs steeply up Whale Rock. Good views of upheaval dome area.

6 Lathrop Canyon. (17 mi / 27 km round-trip). This trail leads from the canyon rim to the Colorado River. After crossing grasslands on the mesa top, this trail descends via steep switchbacks to a boulder-strewn wash that leads to the White Rim Road.

7 Murphy Loop. (9 mi / 14 km round-trip). A few miles of hiking on the mesa top leads to a steep descent down a cliff face to a bench where the trail divides. One fork continues along Murphy Hogback, a slim mesa with great views of the White Rim Formation and the surrounding canyons. At Murphy camp, hikers follow the White Rim Road south for about a mile, then follow a rock-strewn wash back up onto the hogback. Instead of descending the cliff face, those in search of a quicker, less strenuous hike can continue along the top of the mesa to Murphy Point. This offshoot of the trail extends about 1.3 miles and offers panoramic views of the Green River and surrounding canyons.

8 Syncline Loop. (8 mi / 13 km round-trip). Starting from the Upheaval Dome Trailhead, this strenuous trail follows the washes on either side of Upheaval Dome, forming a loop that provides access to both the crater and the Green River near its midpoint. Total elevation change is roughly 1,300 feet. The north side of the loop passes through a riparian area where water and shade are usually available. There is one designated campsite along the trail.

9 Taylor Canyon. (20 mi / 32 km round-trip). Starting from the Alcove Spring Trailhead, the trail descends via steep switchbacks to a rocky wash that leads into this broad, steep-walled canyon. Hikers can follow the four-wheel-drive road to the Green River. Four at-large camping permits are available. Groups may encounter significant traffic on the roads as well as on the river. Returning to the trailhead via Upheaval Canyon reduces the round-trip mileage.

Gooseberry Trail. (5.4 mi / 8.6 km round-trip). This strenuous trail starts near White Rim Overlook and immediately descends sharply about 1,400 feet. From there, the trail continues for about a mile until it reaches White Rim Road and rewards hikers with a beautiful view of the canyon below. Hikers can either choose to spend the night at the campgrounds just to the south of the trail, or retrace their steps to the trail head. While the views on this hike are incredibly rewarding, be warned that this hike ends with a strenuous 1,400 feet climb back up the mesa to the original starting point.

▸Needles District3,102 chars

10 Cave Spring Trail. (0.6 mi / 1 km round-trip). Trail features a historic cowboy line camp and prehistoric pictographs. Two wooden ladders must be climbed.

11 Pothole Point Trail. (0.6 mi / 1 km round-trip). Uneven slickrock surface. Trail leads to pothole communities and views of the Needles.

12 Roadside Ruin Trail. (0.3 mi / 0.5 km round-trip). Trail features an ancestral Puebloan granary.

13 Slickrock Trail. (2.4 mi / 4 km round-trip). Uneven slickrock surface. Several viewpoints and sometimes bighorn sheep.

14 Chesler Park Loop / Joint Trail. (11 mi / 18 km round-trip). Starting from the Elephant Hill Trailhead, the trail leads three miles to a saddle overlooking Chesler Park, a scenic expanse of desert grasses and shrubs surrounded by colorful sandstone spires. The loop around Chesler is fairly level and winds through an unforgettable series of deep, narrow geologic fractures called the Joint Trail. Five backpacking sites. No water.

15 Elephant Canyon / Druid Arch. (11 mi / 18 km round-trip). Starting from the Elephant Hill Trailhead this trail offers one of the most spectacular views in the Needles. It follows the Chesler Park access trail to Elephant Canyon, then travels along the canyon bottom across a mixture of deep sand and loose rock all the way to its upper end. The last 0.25 mile is a steep climb involving one ladder and some scrambling. Three backpacking sites. Water available seasonally.

16 Confluence Overlook. (11 mi / 18 km round-trip). Starting from the Big Spring Canyon Overlook, this trail traverses mostly dry, open country along the northern edge of the geologic faults that shaped the Needles. Trail ends at a cliff overlooking the junction of the Green and Colorado rivers. At-large camping only. No water.

17 Big Spring to Squaw Canyon. (7.5 mi / 12 km round-trip). From the Squaw Flat Loop "A" Trailhead this trail offers a good introduction to the landscape of the Needles, connecting two canyons for a loop across varied terrain. The route between the canyons climbs steep grades that are dangerous when wet and may make people with a fear of heights uncomfortable. Two backpacking sites in each canyon. Water available seasonally.

18 Lower Red Lake Canyon. (18.8 mi / 30 km round-trip). From the Elephant Hill Trailhead this strenuous hike leads to the Colorado River, changing 1,400 feet of elevation in the process. There is little shade along the way as the trail climbs in and out of the Grabens and then descends the steep talus slope of Lower Red Lake Canyon toward the river. This trail is recommended as a multi-day hike. At-large camping only. No water before reaching the river.

19 Salt Creek Canyon. (22.5 mi / 34 km one-way). From Peekaboo or Cathedral Butte the trail follows the main drainage of the canyon past cottonwood groves, through thick brush, and down an old four-wheel-drive road. The trail is often obscured by dense vegetation. Many archaeological sites and arches can be seen. Four designated campsites in upper section. Lower section (along the old road) is at-large camping only. Water is usually available.

▸Maze District2,332 chars

Trails in the Maze are primitive and lead into canyons and to various viewpoints, with access limited by the nature and depth of Maze canyons. Routes into the canyons are often marked with cairns from mesa top to canyon bottom, but routes through washes are often unmarked. Many of the canyons look alike and are difficult to identify without a topographic map. The Maze Overlook Trail and other routes in the district require basic climbing maneuvers in order to negotiate sections of steep slickrock and pour-offs. A 25-foot length of rope is often essential for raising or lowering packs in difficult spots. Some canyons will require rappelling or swimming to pass obstacles. Many routes may make hikers with a fear of heights uncomfortable. The challenges were sufficient for Backpacker Magazine to include the Maze in its list of America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes.

Most trailheads start from four-wheel-drive roads. Visitors with two-wheel-drive vehicles may park at the North Point Road junction, approximately 2.5 miles southeast of the Hans Flat Ranger Station, and hike 15 miles to the Maze Overlook. Depending on the vehicle, hikers may also be able to negotiate the 14-mile road to park at the top of the Flint Trail switchbacks.

Notable features of the Maze include the Dollhouse, the Harvest Scene pictographs, and the Colorado/Green River overlook.

Horseshoe Canyon. A small area to the north of the Maze with extraordinary pictographs. Most visitors access Horseshoe from the west. Two-wheel-drive access to the west rim of Horseshoe Canyon is from Utah Highway 24 via 30 miles of graded dirt road, or from Green River on 47 miles of dirt road. Driving time is roughly 2.5 hours from Moab or 1.5 hours from Green River. A four-wheel-drive road leads to the east rim of Horseshoe Canyon from the Hans Flat Ranger Station. All access roads may become impassable during storms. The trail into Horseshoe Canyon from the west rim trailhead is an old 4WD road. From the trailhead, the hike to the Great Gallery is 6.5 miles round-trip, descending 750 feet and requiring about six hours. Ranger-guided hikes may be available for large groups or on weekend mornings in the spring and fall. This canyon was featured at the end of "127 Hours": the slot canyon that trapped the hiker/star of that movie fed out into Horseshoe.

▸Backpacking247 chars

This park is more rugged and remote than most, with the Maze District in particular being renowned as one of the most remote backpacking destinations in the lower 48 states. See the Backcountry section below for details on permits and regulations.

▸4WD roads2,655 chars

The park offers some of the most challenging four-wheel drive roads to be found in the United States. Check with rangers about road conditions on the roads you plan to explore—some "roads" are little more than nearly undriveable rocky trails that will be unpassable to all but the most skillful drivers in vehicles with high ground clearance.

White Rim Road. The 100-mile White Rim Road loops around and below the Island mesa top and provides expansive views of the surrounding area. Trips usually take two to three days by four-wheel-drive vehicle or three to four days by mountain bike. All vehicles and bikes must remain on roads. ATVs are not permitted. Under favorable weather conditions, the White Rim Road is considered moderately difficult for high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. Permits are required for all overnight trips along the White Rim. During the spring and fall, demand for permits frequently exceeds the number available.

Elephant Hill Road. Located in the Needles District, this road is one of the most technical four-wheel-drive roads in Utah, with steep grades, loose rock, stairstep drops, tight turns and backing. Over the hill, equally challenging roads lead to various features, and to BLM lands south of the park.

Colorado Overlook. A moderately difficult road in the Needles District requiring high clearance, this route begins near the visitor center and leads to an overview of the Colorado River. There are large rocks and stairstep drops in the last 1.5 miles which visitors may avoid by parking on the road (leave room for others!) and walking to the overlook.

Horse Canyon / Peekaboo. Also in the Needles District, this road travels along canyon bottoms where deep sand, deep water and quicksand are common. Prehistoric rock art may be seen at Peekaboo, while there are several arches and Tower Ruin along the Horse Canyon road.

Lavender Canyon. A road through a canyon in the Needles District where deep sand, deep water and quicksand are common. There are two major creek crossings with steep banks. Many arches and archeological sites may be viewed from the road.

Flint Trail. This road is the most commonly used road in the Maze District, traversing slopes of clay that are extremely slippery when wet. The Flint Trail is often closed during winter. Drivers on this road should be capable of making any necessary vehicle repairs.

Teapot Camp to the Land of Standing Rocks. Another 4WD road in the Maze District that is considered very difficult under any conditions and involves considerable risk of vehicle damage. Drivers on this road should be capable of making any necessary vehicle repairs.

▸Mountain biking420 chars

Nearly any of the park's 4WD roads can be traversed by mountain bike, with the exception of the Horse Canyon Road which can be too sandy for mountain biking; inquire with rangers. Bikers should carry plenty of water, and be aware that permits are required for all overnight stays. In addition, many of the park's backcountry roads connect to BLM lands outside of the park, making for interesting itinerary possibilities.

▸Boating438 chars

Rafting on the rivers is popular, although all visitors must have permits. Numerous outfitters based out of Moab can help arrange trips. Routes down the Green River, either from Ruby Ranch or from Mineral Bottom, are exceptional. Both routes are flat-water and kayaks, canoes and rafts are all doable without challenge. The trips are wilderness camping at their best: extremely empty - only a few parties a day is typical - and beautiful.

▸Buy1,012 chars

The visitor centers have gift shops selling books and souvenirs, but otherwise there is nothing to be bought within the park. Supplies, groceries, hardware, and a variety of souvenirs can be purchased in towns outside of the park.

1 CNHA Bookstore at the Island in the Sky District Visitor Center. Spring through fall, it is open daily from at least 9AM to 4PM, with longer hours during the summer. Backcountry permits are issued up until one hour before closing. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and from late December through February.. (updated Apr 2015)

2 CNHA Bookstore at the Needles Visitor Center. Spring through fall, it is open daily from at least 8:30AM to 4PM The visitor center closes on Thanksgiving Day and from early December through February.. (updated Apr 2015)

3 CNHA Bookstore at the Hans Flat Ranger Station. Hans Flat Ranger Station is open daily from 8AM to 4:30PM It will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.. (updated Apr 2015)

▸Eat115 chars

There is no food available within the park, so all supplies will need to be purchased in towns outside of the park.

▸Drink177 chars

Visitor centers sell bottled water and provide fountains. Within the park water supplies are limited, and any water that is found should be properly treated to prevent disease.

▸Hotels158 chars

There is no lodging within the park, but numerous hotels can be found in the town of Moab, as well as in the towns of Hanksville, Green River, and Monticello.

▸Camping1,275 chars

The park has two organized campgrounds, with additional camping options available outside of the park on public land.

1 The Needles Campground (drive to the end of UT 211 to enter The Needles district, then continue on this road approximately 3 miles to reach the campground.). 26 individual sites, 3 group sites. 12 sites can be reserved in advance in spring and fall, 14 sites are first-come, first-served. There are toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings in the campground. Group size limit is 10 people and 2 vehicles. Maximum RV length is 28 feet. The campground typically fills every day from late March through June and again from early September to mid-October. $20 per site (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

2 Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground (Located approximately 7 miles from the park entrance in the Island in the Sky district near Upheaval Dome). 12 sites. All sites are first-come, first-served. The campground is open year-round. Sites fill quickly spring through fall. There are vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings in the campground. The 1 mi/1.6 km access road is paved. Firewood and water are not available. Maximum group size is ten people, with a limit of two vehicles per group. $15 Camping Site (2020 rates). (updated Jun 2020)

▸Backcountry1,615 chars

Permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry, including backpacking, four-wheel drive or mountain bike camping, and river trips. Permits are also required for day use by vehicles, bikes and horses in Horse/Salt Creek and Lavender canyons in the Needles District. Permits are not required for day hiking. Permits costs vary in price from $15–30 depending on activity, and are valid for groups of as many as fifteen people.

Permits can be obtained at the visitor centers, and all permits can be reserved in advance through the park service. Those not reserved in advance are available to walk-ins first-come, first-served. Walk-in permits are only available the day before or the day of a trip. Permits are issued up to one hour before the close of business each day. River permits are issued (usually in advance) from the Reservation Office in Moab.

Permits (except day use) are good for a maximum of fourteen days. Exact sites/zones and dates must be determined when the permit is issued. Backpackers may stay up to seven consecutive nights in any site or zone. Visitors using the designated vehicle camps may stay a maximum of three consecutive nights at a camping area before having to relocate.

Reservation office staff are available by phone to answer questions and assist with trip planning Monday through Friday, 8AM-12:30PM (MST), at +1 435 259-4351. When workload permits, phones may be answered until 4PM. Have a map available if you would like assistance with trip-planning. Visitors may also email questions to canyres@nps.gov. Reservations may not be made over the phone or by email.

▸Stay safe864 chars

The park's greatest danger is weather. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 °F, but even during the spring and fall visitors should plan on drinking one gallon of water per day. When hiking be aware that it can be easy to get lost in the twisting canyons, so let someone know where you are going and bring more food and water than you think you'll need. During storms avoid high open areas which can be prone to lightning strikes. In addition, be extremely cautious in narrow canyons as flash floods can occur with even a small amount of precipitation. If you are in a canyon and it begins to rain, look for higher ground immediately; if you can hear the sounds of floodwaters approaching or notice rising water around you it is already too late to seek safety. During winter, ice can make roads dangerous. Visitors may want to consider bringing tire chains.

▸Go next584 chars

Arches National Park. A spectacular (if sometimes crowded) park that features some of the best works of Mother Nature. The weird arches and other spectacular rock formations are definitely worth a visit.

Moab. The nearest major town, Moab offers all the services, lodging options, and material support to guarantee that everyone from the most threadbare adventure seeker to a Minivan-driving family of six has what they need.

Monticello. The nearest town to the Needles section of Canyonlands.

Hanksville. A small village near the entrance to the Maze and Horseshoe Canyon areas.

Practical timing: when the desert’s extremes soften

Canyonlands’ desert climate means temperature swings are pronounced. The sweet spot is late spring (mid‑April to early June) when daytime highs linger in the mid‑80s°F and the night cools enough for comfortable campfire evenings. Early summer brings monsoonal dust storms that can obscure vistas and make backcountry routes treacherous. Conversely, winter offers crisp air and dramatic low‑sun shadows, but daylight hours shrink and some river crossings become impassable. Aim for a weekday visit in shoulder season to dodge the peak summer crowds that converge on the Island’s popular viewpoint stops.

Introduction

National park in Utah, United States Canyonlands National ParkIUCN category II (national park)Looking over the Green River from Island in the SkyInteractive map of Canyonlands National ParkLocationSan Juan, Wayne, Garfield, and Grand counties, Utah, United StatesNearest cityMoab, UtahCoordinates38°10′01″N 109°45′35″W / 38.16691°N 109.75966°W / 38.16691; -109.75966Area337,598 acres (1,366.21 km2)EstablishedSeptember 12, 1964; 61 years ago (1964-09-12)Visitors818,492 (in 2024)Governing bodyNational Park ServiceWebsitenps.gov/cany Canyonlands National Park is a national park of the United States located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab. The park preserves a colorful landscape eroded into numerous canyons, mesas, and buttes by the Colorado River, the Green River, and their respective tributaries. Legislation creating the park was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 12, 1964. The park is divided into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the combined rivers—the Green and Colorado—which carved two large canyons into the Colorado Plateau. While these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character. Author Edward Abbey, a frequent visitor, described the Canyonlands as "the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth—there is nothing else like it anywhere".

History

[edit] In the early 1950s, Bates Wilson, then superintendent of Arches National Monument, began exploring the area to the south and west of Moab, Utah. After seeing what is now known as the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, Wilson began advocating for the establishment of a new national park that would include the Needles. Additional explorations by Wilson and others expanded the areas proposed for inclusion into the new national park to include the confluence of Green and Colorado rivers, the Maze District, and Horseshoe Canyon. In 1961, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall was scheduled to address a conference at Grand Canyon National Park. On his flight to the conference, he flew over the Confluence (where the Colorado and Green rivers meet). The view apparently sparked Udall's interest in Wilson's proposal for a new national park in that area and Udall began promoting the establishment of Canyonlands National Park. Utah Senator Frank Moss first introduced legislation in Congress to create Canyonlands National Park. His legislation attempted to satisfy both nature preservationists' and commercial developers' interests. Over the next four years, his proposal was struck down, debated, revised, and reintroduced to Congress many times before being passed and signed into law. In September 1964, after several years of debate, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Pub. L. 88–590, which established Canyonlands National Park as a new national park. Bates Wilson became the first superintendent of the new park and is often referred to as the "Father of Canyonlands".

Recreation

[edit] Canyonlands is a popular recreational destination. Since 2007, more than 400,000 people have visited the park each year, with a record of 911,594 visitors in 2021. The geography of the park is well suited to a number of different recreational uses. Hikers, mountain bikers, backpackers, and four-wheelers all enjoy traveling the rugged, remote trails within the Park. The White Rim Road traverses the White Rim Sandstone level of the park between the rivers and the Island in the Sky. Since 2015, day-use permits must be obtained before travelling on the White Rim Road due to the increasing popularity of driving and bicycling along it. The park service's intent is to provide a better wilderness experience for all visitors while minimizing impacts on the natural surroundings. Canyonlands National Park upholds a strict no-hunting policy. The Island in the Sky mesa and Junction Butte from the Needles district As of 2016[update], the Island in the Sky district, with its proximity to the Moab, Utah area, attracts 76.7 percent of total park visitors. The Needles district is the second most visited, drawing 20.7 percent of visitors. The remote Maze district accounts for only about 1.5 percent of visitors, while river rafters and other river users account for the remaining 1.1 percent of total park visitation. Rafters and kayakers float the calm stretches of the Green River and Colorado River above the Confluence. Below the Confluence, Cataract Canyon contains powerful whitewater rapids, similar to those found in the Grand Canyon. However, since there is no large impoundment on the Colorado River above Canyonlands National Park, river flow through the Confluence is determined by snowmelt, not management. As a result, and in combination with Cataract Canyon's unique graben geology, this stretch of river offers the largest whitewater in North America in heavy snow years. Political compromise at the time of the park's creation limited the protected area to an arbitrary portion of the Canyonlands basin. Conservationists hope to complete the park by bringing the boundaries up to the high sandstone rims that form the natural border of the Canyonlands landscape. On March 27, 2020, Canyonlands National Park was closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Geography

[edit] Chesler Park in the Needles The Colorado River and Green River combine within the park, dividing it into three districts called the Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze. The Colorado River flows through Cataract Canyon below its confluence with the Green River. The Island in the Sky district is a broad and level mesa in the northern section of the park, between the Colorado and Green rivers. The district has many viewpoints overlooking the White Rim, a sandstone bench 1,200 feet (370 m) below the Island, and the rivers, which are another 1,000 feet (300 m) below the White Rim. The Needles district is located south of the Island in the Sky, on the east side of the Colorado River. The district is named for the red and white banded rock pinnacles which are a major feature of the area. Various other naturally sculpted rock formations are also within this district, including grabens, potholes, and arches. Unlike Arches National Park, where many arches are accessible by short to moderate hikes, most of the arches in the Needles district lie in backcountry canyons, requiring long hikes or four-wheel drive trips to reach them. The Ancestral Puebloans inhabited this area and some of their stone and mud dwellings are well-preserved, although the items and tools they used were mostly removed by looters. The Ancestral Puebloans also created rock art in the form of petroglyphs, most notably on Newspaper Rock along the Needles access road. The Chocolate Drops buttes in the Maze district The Maze district is located west of the Colorado and Green rivers. The Maze is the least accessible section of the park, and one of the most remote and inaccessible areas of the United States. A geographically detached section of the park located north of the Maze district, Horseshoe Canyon contains panels of rock art made by hunter-gatherers from the Late Archaic Period (2000–1000 BC) pre-dating the Ancestral Puebloans. Originally called Barrier Canyon, Horseshoe's artifacts, dwellings, pictographs, and murals are some of the oldest in America. The images depicting horses date from after 1540 AD, when the Spanish reintroduced horses to America. Since the 1950s, scientists have been studying an area of 200 acres (81 ha) completely surrounded by cliffs. The cliffs have prevented cattle from ever grazing on the area's 62 acres (25 ha) of grassland. According to the scientists, the site may contain the largest undisturbed grassland in the Four Corners region. Studies have continued biannually since the mid-1990s. The area has been closed to the public since 1993 to maintain the nearly pristine environment.

Nature

[edit] Fauna[edit] Pronghorns are colloquially referred to as antelope due to their resemblance, but are not closely related to Old World antelopes Mammals that roam this park include black bears, coyotes, skunks, bats, elk, foxes, bobcats, badgers, ring-tailed cats, pronghorns, desert bighorn sheep, and cougars. Desert cottontails, kangaroo rats and mule deer are commonly seen by visitors. At least 273 species of birds inhabit the park. A variety of hawks and eagles are found, including the Cooper's hawk, the northern goshawk, the sharp-shinned hawk, the red-tailed hawk, the golden and bald eagles, the rough-legged hawk, the Swainson's hawk, and the northern harrier. Several species of owls are found, including the great horned owl, the northern saw-whet owl, the western screech owl, and the Mexican spotted owl. Grebes, woodpeckers, ravens, herons, flycatchers, crows, bluebirds, wrens, warblers, blackbirds, orioles, goldfinches, swallows, sparrows, ducks, quail, grouse, pheasants, hummingbirds, falcons, gulls, and ospreys are some of the other birds that can be found. Several reptiles can be found, including eleven species of lizards and eight species of snake (including the midget faded rattlesnake). The common kingsnake and prairie rattlesnake have been reported in the park, but not confirmed by the National Park Service. The park is home to six confirmed amphibian species, including the red-spotted toad, Woodhouse's toad, American bullfrog, northern leopard frog, Great Basin spadefoot toad, and tiger salamander. The canyon tree frog was reported to be in the park in 2000, but was not confirmed during a study in 2004. Flora[edit] Utah juniper Canyonlands National Park contains a wide variety of plant life, including 11 cactus species, 20 moss species, liverworts, grasses and wildflowers. Varieties of trees include netleaf hackberry, Russian olive, Utah juniper, pinyon pine, tamarisk, and Fremont's cottonwood. Shrubs include Mormon tea, blackbrush, four-wing saltbush, cliffrose, littleleaf mountain mahogany, and snakeweed Cryptobiotic soil is the foundation of life in Canyonlands, providing nitrogen fixation and moisture for plant seeds. One footprint can destroy decades of growth.

Climate

[edit] According to the Köppen climate classification system, Canyonlands National Park has a cold semi-arid climate ("BSk"). The plant hardiness zones at the Island in the Sky and Needles District Visitor Centers are 7a with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 4.0 °F (-15.6 °C) and 2.9 °F (-16.2 °C), respectively. The National Weather Service has maintained two cooperative weather stations in the park since June 1965. Official data documents the desert climate with less than 10 inches (250 millimetres) of annual rainfall, as well as hot, mostly dry summers and cold, occasionally wet winters. Snowfall is generally light during the winter. The station in The Neck region reports an average January temperature of 29.6 °F and an average July temperature of 79.3 °F. Average July temperatures range from a high of 90.8 °F (32.7 °C) to a low of 67.9 °F (19.9 °C). There are an average of 45.7 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and an average of 117.3 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The highest recorded temperature was 105 °F (41 °C) on July 15, 2005, and the lowest recorded temperature was −13 °F (−25 °C) on February 6, 1989. Average annual precipitation is 9.33 inches (237 mm). There are an average of 59 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1984, with 13.66 in (347 mm), and the driest year was 1989, with 4.63 in (118 mm). The most precipitation in one month was 5.19 in (132 mm) in October 2006. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 1.76 in (45 mm) on April 9, 1978. Average annual snowfall is 22.8 in (58 cm). The most snowfall in one year was 47.4 in (120 cm) in 1975, and the most snowfall in one month was 27.0 in (69 cm) in January 1978. The station in The Needles region reports an average January temperature of 29.7 °F and an average July temperature of 79.1 °F. Average July temperatures range from a high of 95.4 °F (35.2 °C) to a low of 62.4 °F (16.9 °C). There are an average of 75.4 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and an average of 143.6 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The highest recorded temperature was 107 °F (42 °C) on July 13, 1971, and the lowest recorded temperature was −16 °F (−27 °C) on January 16, 1971. Average annual precipitation is 8.49 in (216 mm). There are an average of 56 days with measurable precipitation. The wettest year was 1969, with 11.19 in (284 mm), and the driest year was 1989, with 4.25 in (108 mm). The most precipitation in one month was 4.43 in (113 mm) in October 1972. The most precipitation in 24 hours was 1.56 in (40 mm) on September 17, 1999. Average annual snowfall is 14.4 in (37 cm). The most snowfall in one year was 39.3 in (100 cm) in 1975, and the most snowfall in one month was 24.0 in (61 cm) in March 1985. Climate data for Canyonlands – The Neck, Utah, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1965–present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °F (°C) 58(14) 67(19) 78(26) 84(29) 97(36) 102(39) 105(41) 101(38) 98(37) 89(32) 72(22) 62(17) 105(41) Mean maximum °F (°C) 48.0(8.9) 55.9(13.3) 68.5(20.3) 77.2(25.1) 86.5(30.3) 95.4(35.2) 98.8(37.1) 95.6(35.3) 89.9(32.2) 79.7(26.5) 63.1(17.3) 50.8(10.4) 99.4(37.4) Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 36.8(2.7) 43.2(6.2) 54.2(12.3) 62.0(16.7) 72.4(22.4) 84.6(29.2) 90.8(32.7) 87.8(31.0) 79.0(26.1) 64.6(18.1) 49.1(9.5) 36.9(2.7) 63.5(17.5) Daily mean °F (°C) 29.6(−1.3) 35.2(1.8) 44.5(6.9) 51.1(10.6) 61.3(16.3) 73.1(22.8) 79.3(26.3) 76.8(24.9) 68.0(20.0) 54.3(12.4) 40.8(4.9) 29.7(−1.3) 53.6(12.0) Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 22.3(−5.4) 27.3(−2.6) 34.9(1.6) 40.1(4.5) 50.2(10.1) 61.7(16.5) 67.9(19.9) 65.7(18.7) 57.0(13.9) 43.9(6.6) 32.6(0.3) 22.6(−5.2) 43.8(6.6) Mean minimum °F (°C) 10.2(−12.1) 14.2(−9.9) 20.7(−6.3) 25.8(−3.4) 34.0(1.1) 45.5(7.5) 56.5(13.6) 55.4(13.0) 42.3(5.7) 27.0(−2.8) 16.5(−8.6) 10.3(−12.1) 6.6(−14.1) Record low °F (°C) −7(−22) −13(−25) 0(−18) 14(−10) 22(−6) 26(−3) 41(5) 41(5) 25(−4) 9(−13) 6(−14) −10(−23) −13(−25) Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.55(14) 0.58(15) 0.75(19) 0.68(17) 0.87(22) 0.36(9.1) 0.91(23) 1.16(29) 1.00(25) 1.22(31) 0.55(14) 0.70(18) 9.33(236.1) Average snowfall inches (cm) 6.1(15) 3.5(8.9) 3.0(7.6) 0.3(0.76) 0.1(0.25) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.1(0.25) 3.2(8.1) 6.5(17) 22.8(57.86) Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) 4.9(12) 4.0(10) 2.1(5.3) 0.6(1.5) 0.1(0.25) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.4(1.0) 1.9(4.8) 4.6(12) 6.5(17) Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 4.4 4.5 4.6 5.2 5.4 2.4 5.9 6.4 6.2 5.7 4.3 4.4 59.4 Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 3.8 2.5 1.7 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.7 3.6 14.2 Source: NOAA Climate data for Hans Flat Ranger Station, Utah, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1980–present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °F (°C) 55(13) 66(19) 75(24) 82(28) 92(33) 98(37) 101(38) 98(37) 95(35) 88(31) 70(21) 62(17) 101(38) Mean maximum °F (°C) 47.1(8.4) 53.8(12.1) 65.3(18.5) 73.8(23.2) 82.9(28.3) 92.1(33.4) 95.8(35.4) 93.2(34.0) 87.5(30.8) 76.7(24.8) 61.2(16.2) 49.3(9.6) 96.3(35.7) Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 35.0(1.7) 40.3(4.6) 50.1(10.1) 57.3(14.1) 67.8(19.9) 80.2(26.8) 86.6(30.3) 83.7(28.7) 74.9(23.8) 60.9(16.1) 46.5(8.1) 35.1(1.7) 59.9(15.5) Daily mean °F (°C) 28.2(−2.1) 32.8(0.4) 41.3(5.2) 47.3(8.5) 57.7(14.3) 69.5(20.8) 75.6(24.2) 73.1(22.8) 65.0(18.3) 51.6(10.9) 38.7(3.7) 28.2(−2.1) 50.8(10.4) Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 21.4(−5.9) 25.2(−3.8) 32.4(0.2) 37.2(2.9) 47.5(8.6) 58.8(14.9) 64.5(18.1) 62.6(17.0) 55.0(12.8) 42.3(5.7) 30.8(−0.7) 21.3(−5.9) 41.6(5.3) Mean minimum °F (°C) 9.1(−12.7) 12.5(−10.8) 19.1(−7.2) 23.8(−4.6) 32.1(0.1) 42.9(6.1) 54.9(12.7) 54.0(12.2) 40.5(4.7) 25.9(−3.4) 14.8(−9.6) 9.0(−12.8) 5.6(−14.7) Record low °F (°C) −5(−21) −12(−24) 9(−13) 16(−9) 20(−7) 31(−1) 40(4) 41(5) 31(−1) 6(−14) 3(−16) −10(−23) −12(−24) Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.70(18) 0.67(17) 0.84(21) 0.67(17) 0.72(18) 0.37(9.4) 0.87(22) 1.09(28) 0.96(24) 1.16(29) 0.76(19) 0.77(20) 9.58(242.4) Average snowfall inches (cm) 9.2(23) 7.4(19) 5.2(13) 2.9(7.4) 0.3(0.76) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.7(1.8) 4.5(11) 8.3(21) 38.5(96.96) Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) 7.6(19) 6.6(17) 3.7(9.4) 1.5(3.8) 0.3(0.76) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.0(0.0) 0.6(1.5) 3.4(8.6) 5.7(14) 9.6(24) Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 5.7 6.2 5.8 4.9 5.3 2.7 6.2 7.4 5.6 5.8 4.5 5.6 65.7 Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 4.8 4.9 2.8 1.9 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 2.7 4.6 22.3 Source 1: NOAA Source 2: National Weather Service Climate change[edit] National parks in the Western United States are more affected by climate change than the country as a whole, and the National Park Service has begun research into how exactly this will affect the ecosystem of Canyonlands National Park and the surrounding areas and ways to protect the park for the future. The mean annual temperature of Canyonlands National Park increased by 2.6 °F (1.4 °C) from 1916 to 2018. It is predicted that if current warming trends continue, the average highs in the park during the summer will be over 100 °F (40 °C) by 2100. In addition to warming, the region has begun to see more severe and frequent droughts which causes native grass cover to decrease and a lower flow of the Colorado River. The flows of the Upper Colorado Basin have decreased by 300,000 acre⋅ft (370,000,000 m3) per year, which has led to a decreased amount of sediment carried by the river and rockier rapids which are more frequently impassable to rafters. The area has also begun to see an earlier spring, which will lead to changes in the timing of leaves and flowers blooming and migrational patterns of wildlife that could lead to food shortages for the wildlife, as well as a longer fire season. The National Park Service is currently closely monitoring the impacts of climate change in Canyonlands National Park in order to create management strategies that will best help conserve the park's landscapes and ecosystems for the long term. Although the National Park Service's original goal was to preserve landscapes as they were before European colonization, they have now switched to a more adaptive management strategy with the ultimate goal of conserving the biodiversity of the park. The NPS is collaborating with other organizations including the US Geological Survey, local indigenous tribes, and nearby universities in order to create a management plan for the national park. Right now, there is a focus on research into which native plants will be most resistant to climate change so that the park can decide on what to prioritize in conservation efforts. The Canyonlands Natural History Association has been giving money to the US Geological Survey to fund this and other climate related research. They gave $30,000 in 2019 and $61,000 in 2020.

Geology

[edit] Main article: Geology of the Canyonlands area Upheaval Dome is an impact structure, the deeply eroded bottom-most remnants of an impact crater A subsiding basin and nearby uplifting mountain range (the Uncompahgre) existed in the area in Pennsylvanian time. Seawater trapped in the subsiding basin created thick evaporite deposits by Mid Pennsylvanian. This, along with eroded material from the nearby mountain range, became the Paradox Formation, itself a part of the Hermosa Group. Paradox salt beds started to flow later in the Pennsylvanian and probably continued to move until the end of the Jurassic. Some scientists believe Upheaval Dome was created from Paradox salt bed movement, creating a salt dome, but more modern studies show that the meteorite theory is more likely to be correct. A warm shallow sea again flooded the region near the end of the Pennsylvanian. Fossil-rich limestones, sandstones, and shales of the gray-colored Honaker Trail Formation resulted. A period of erosion then ensued, creating a break in the geologic record called an unconformity. Early in the Permian an advancing sea laid down the Halgaito Shale. Coastal lowlands later returned to the area, forming the Elephant Canyon Formation. Large alluvial fans filled the basin where it met the Uncompahgre Mountains, creating the Cutler red beds of iron-rich arkose sandstone. Underwater sand bars and sand dunes on the coast inter-fingered with the red beds and later became the white-colored cliff-forming Cedar Mesa Sandstone. Brightly colored oxidized muds were then deposited, forming the Organ Rock Shale. Coastal sand dunes and marine sand bars once again became dominant, creating the White Rim Sandstone. Rock formations in the Needles district A second unconformity was created after the Permian sea retreated. Flood plains on an expansive lowland covered the eroded surface and mud built up in tidal flats, creating the Moenkopi Formation. Erosion returned, forming a third unconformity. The Chinle Formation was then laid down on top of this eroded surface. Increasingly dry climates dominated the Triassic. Therefore, sand in the form of sand dunes invaded and became the Wingate Sandstone. For a time climatic conditions became wetter and streams cut channels through the sand dunes, forming the Kayenta Formation. Arid conditions returned to the region with a vengeance; a large desert spread over much of western North America and later became the Navajo Sandstone. A fourth unconformity was created by a period of erosion. Mud flats returned, forming the Carmel Formation, and the Entrada Sandstone was laid down next. A long period of erosion stripped away most of the San Rafael Group in the area, along with any formations that may have been laid down in the Cretaceous period. The Laramide orogeny started to uplift the Rocky Mountains 70 million years ago and with it, the Canyonlands region. Erosion intensified and when the Colorado River Canyon reached the salt beds of the Paradox Formation the overlying strata extended toward the river canyon, forming features such as The Grabens. Increased precipitation during the ice ages of the Pleistocene quickened the rate of canyon excavation along with other erosion. Similar types of erosion are ongoing, but occur at a slower rate.

Gallery

[edit] Mesa Arch at sunrise, Island in the Sky district The White Rim Sandstone Canyonlands at daybreak. Washer Woman and Monster Tower in foreground, Airport Tower behind. La Sal Mountains in background False Kiva stone circle Petroglyphs, Horse Canyon, The Maze. 1962 photo The Great Gallery, Horseshoe Canyon Aerial view of the Maze The White Rim in Canyonlands National Park The view from the Island In The Sky overlooking the Colorado River Druid Arch in the Needles district Raft in the Big Drop Rapids, Cataract Canyon A view from Grand View Point Overlook toward Monument Basin Shafer Canyon and Trail The Molar and Angel Arch See additional images at Wikimedia