One Perfect Day in Canyonlands: an Itinerary for Utah’s Most Underrated National Park
Scribbled by Claire ◊ 28 Aug 2025
Are you planning a visit to Canyonlands, but are a little short on time? Here, we’ve devised the best, all-encompassing itinerary to see this magnificent park in one day while avoiding the crowds, with various optional side-quests depending on your preferences.
Canyonlands is my favourite national park in the entire United States. I’ve visited more than forty of them so far, and none made me feel like this one does.
It’s utterly vast, covering over 1,300 square kilometres of wilderness, packed full of the most jaw-dropping canyons, buttes, distant wiggly dirt tracks, with the colossal Green and Colorado Rivers cutting right through its core.
My first visit was a revelation; I had been to all the other Utah national parks, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and more, yet it was this particular place that really captured my imagination.
Sat alone, under an overhang on a cliff ledge, I spotted two minuscule specks wiggling along this barely visible track, 1500 feet below. They were cyclists, in the middle of a realm I thought was completely out of reach. It was at that moment that the park became more than just a few canyon viewpoints to me – suddenly there was this immeasurable expanse to be explored.
My imagination then started running away from me, thinking about Native Americans and explorers like John Wesley Powell, and how they would have felt seeing all this for the first time.
Canyonlands has been my favourite park ever since. I’ve done six backpacking trips there, driven a bunch of the offroad trails, camped along the White Rim Road and explored almost all the day hikes. I’ve visited more than 20 times, so I know precisely what you should do for your first visit!
Here, I’ve written exactly how I’d want to experience my first day in this park again, with the best viewpoints and short hikes suitable for a one-day trip (plus my favourite sunset spots). I’ve also added a few options at the end for the more energetic hikers and offroad enthusiasts!
IN THIS GUIDE //
One Day in Canyonlands
Where to Go With One Day
– What is the White Rim
– Early Morning
– Mid-Morning
– Afternoon
– Sunset and Exit Choices
Longer Hike Options and Backpacking Trails
Offroad Options
Canyonlands Map
How Much Does Entry Cost?
Weather and Season
Optional: Needles District
Where to Stay Nearby
Camping Near Canyonlands
Where to Next?
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ITINERARY SUMMARY
Early Morning:
Hike: Mesa Arch (30-60 mins)
Buck Canyon Overlook (10 mins)
Grand View (15-90 mins)
Mid Morning and Lunch:
Hike: White Rim Overlook (60 mins)
Afternoon:
Candlestick Tower Overlook (10 mins)
Green River Overlook (10 mins)
Hike: Upheaval Dome/Whale Rock (1-2 Hours)
Shafer Trail Overlook (10 mins)
Sunset and Exit:
Dead Horse Point
or
Potash Road
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From the Island in the Sky Visitor Center first thing in the morning, to the Shafer Trail Overlook last thing in the afternoon, the driving on this itinerary will take around 70 minutes. Schedule in 30 minutes extra for parking and 50 minutes each way for the drive from Moab.
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Where to Go With One Day in Canyonlands
Canyonlands National Park, full of sculpted buttes, vast canyons, rivers and valleys, is absolutely enormous compared to nearby Arches National Park and is impossible to see all of in one day (or a week!).
If you have chosen Canyonlands for your one day trip, it is best to pick a district. There are three main ones:
⬩ Island in the Sky;
⬩ Needles;
⬩ The Maze.
For a one-day trip, we would suggest Island in the Sky as it is the closest to Moab (and also the easiest to access), so that is the area this itinerary focuses on. This district is exactly what it sounds like; a massive mesa that extends for miles, more than 1000 feet above the intricate canyon basins on either side. The views are outstanding and the visual rewards here are tremendous for very minimal effort.
Travel tip | Canyonlands does not require a timed permit like Arches, so rock up whenever you want. There are queues to get in occasionally, so we would recommend starting your visit earlier in the day.
Travel tip | also, factor in the drive from Moab; around 45 miles (1 hour) to the furthest end of Island in the Sky.
WHAT IS THE WHITE RIM?
Throughout this post and on the map above, you’ll see references to the ‘White Rim’, in relation to Canyonlands National Park. This is a geological feature of Island in the Sky that can be clearly spotted from the mesa top above.
If you look down from any of the viewpoints in Island in the Sky, the edges of the canyons appear white. This white sandstone, present at the rim of the inner gorges around the Green and Colorado rivers, is more resistant to erosion.
The only way to see the White Rim up close is a strenuous hike down or a drive along offroad track (permit required) 1500 feet below the Island in the Sky mesa. To experience it up close in-person is rare; most visitors only see it from far away.
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Early Morning
Lots of people recommend popping into the Visitor Center on their itineraries, however it opens from 8am, so if you’re up for sunrise you’ll have to skip this one (sunrise is mostly before 7.30am). Usually, you can still grab a paper map outside the building or from the entry booth (depending on when you arrive).
Note: we’re skipping a few stops at the beginning so you can see Mesa Arch at sunrise, but if you don’t care about the photography opportunity, you can leave it to any other logical point on the itinerary. It’s right in the middle of the park where the two main roads (Upheaval Dome Road and Grand View Point Road) split, so is convenient to visit at almost any time.
Another thing to note is that we found the best plan is to follow the sun, so check out some hikes and vistas on the east-facing side first (the sunrise side). In the afternoon, as the sun gets lower in the sky, follow the hikes and viewpoints along the west (the sunset side).
Hike: Mesa Arch (30-60 mins)
This is probably the most celebrated viewpoint in Canyonlands National Park. The 15 to 30-minute, cairn-marked 0.8-mile walk leads to a wide, cliff-side arch that overlooks Buck Canyon’s distinctive outcrops, Monster Tower and, in the distance, the snow-capped La Sal Mountains.
It’s a reasonably easy hike with a few steps over some hills and rocky surfaces. Everyone (justifiably) rates it as the best view in Canyonlands and it’s definitely worth it (I think it’s prettier than any arch in Arches National Park!).
The most popular time to visit Mesa Arch is sunrise, when the sun kind of shines through the arch, so be prepared for lots of photographers with their tripods at this time of day. If you’re really not fussed for taking the perfect photo, turn up an hour after sunrise (they’ll all have gone by then), or even visit on your way out, later in the day (it’s pretty no matter what the time).
I’ve never made it here for sunrise, just because I don’t want to be surrounded by overly enthusiastic people before I’ve had breakfast – it’s too much. I’m the worst morning person.
Honestly, this spot is always a little busy compared with most areas of Canyonlands, so prepare for crowds. We’ve never had much peace here and, because of that, don’t really visit it anymore. However, it’s a must for any first visit!
Be aware that the car park does fill up at this trailhead, especially at dawn.
Pro tip: arrive extra early if you’re visiting in a popular shoulder season month like April or October, and bring a head torch because the trail is kind of hard to follow in the dark!
Optional: Buck Canyon Overlook (10 mins)
This quick stop demonstrates a cool example of the White Rim with a very short, less than 1-minute paved walk to the viewpoint. It’s a fantastic stop for non-hikers and is wheelchair accessible.
This spot only has around ten car parking spots, but we have never had an issue finding a space. If it’s full, just nip in here on the way back out (or skip it if you have minimal time, it’s not the best viewpoint in the park).
Optional Hike: Grand View (15-90 mins)
Grand View is at the end of the road on the Island in the Sky mesa top, located at its most southern tip.
It’s one of the most popular stops for visitors because you don’t have to hike anywhere to find a decent view of the White Rim below (plus it’s literally at the end of the road, so absolutely *everyone* stops here!). This is why we’ve included it second, so maybe you can outrun the crowds (after around 9am, in our experience, it gets rammed)!
The views are pretty dramatic, even at the overlook, which is only 300 feet from the car park. From here, you can easily see Needles in good weather, another district of Canyonlands that is separated from Island in the Sky by the Colorado River.
Hike: you can take the two-mile out-and-back hike to the Grand View Point Overlook, which shows off some cool angles of the monster-sized Junction Butte. The trail is really easy but has little shade, quite a few small sets of steps, and a few cliff-hugging moments.
Honestly, if I was going to pick one hike to do in Canyonlands during my day, this would not be it. It’s quite busy and filled with absolutely everyone who kind of expects the pinnacle of the mesa to be the most scenic spot (spoiler: it’s not).
However, if you’re energetic and want to hike loads, I’d definitely recommend it (there are no bad hikes in Canyonlands!). But, if not, I’d skip it and just check out the overlook next to the car park.
Tip: you can always wander off for ten minutes in the opposite direction of the Grand View Trail, heading east along the rim instead. There are lovely little alcoves and vast views with literally no people. It’s a great place to sit on the cliffs with a breakfast picnic, too. This is what I choose to do nowadays, because I’m so intensely person averse!
Note: if you wander anywhere in Canyonlands without an obvious trail, don’t step on any biocrust (this dark, lumpy stuff that grows on sand and mud – it’s alive!), or in any pot holes, because it kills the tiny organisms living in them that come back to life after the rain!
Parking at Grand View can be annoyingly busy at all times of day except first thing in the morning, so you may have to circle a few times for a spot. Fortunately, many people don’t stay here long, choosing to just check out the overlook before leaving.
Tip: sometimes there are parking spots at Orange Cliffs Overlook, just slightly north on the Grand View Point Road.
Mid Morning
Hike: White Rim Overlook (60 minutes)
Our next stop is the White Rim Overlook and Trail, which is an easy 1.8-mile out-and-back route that leads to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Monument Basin.
My strongest memory of this hike is hanging out at the viewpoint and exploring the cliff-side rocks for about an hour during summer and getting savagely sunburnt. So, don’t be me and take sunblock and a hat because there’s literally no shade. Also, the path runs quite close to the cliff, so be extra watchful with kids.
We’d recommend this trail over the Grand View Trail above (if you’re choosing between the two) just because of the noticeable lack of crowds (and immense views!).
This trailhead is also the beginning of the super-steep Gooseberry Canyon Trail that leads down to the White Rim (more than 1000 feet below the mesa), which, unless you’re super fit, is a 5-mile, cliff hugging nightmare! We don’t think this is the most scenic of the backcountry hikes in Island in the Sky, so skip it unless you’re really keen. (It is the shortest in length, though, so might be best for a challenging hike on a time-tight day).
The White Rim trailhead is also a decent spot to stop and have snacks or lunch because there are cute little individual pull-outs with benches, plus a bathroom, too. Parking is crazy limited here, but we’d definitely recommend a stop if you can (come back later if it’s busy!).
Afternoon
Optional: Murphy Point Hike (1.5-2 hours)
When I’m seeking solitude (which is, like, always), I hike to the Murphy Point overlook.
This optional little walk is about three miles out-and-back, along mostly flat winding dirt paths. It’s an unassuming little route with shrubs on either side, until it spits you out onto a huge, rocky plateau dotted with plants, huge boulders, and sandy patches.
Eventually, you’ll come to the rim where there are incredible views of the White Rim Road, the Green River and Candlestick.
This plateau is enormous, so I think people just assume that they’ve got to the end of the hike and turn back, but the best views are when you traverse around the edges. It’s huge; you could spend half a day here playing around on the boulders and looking for various different viewpoints and photo spots. It also provides some of the closest views of the legendary White Rim Road that traverses the Mesa for 100 miles. It’s honestly magnificent.
Murphy Point is easily my favourite backcountry spot in the park and one of the best places I’ve ever camped (permits required).
The best part about this insanely scenic spot is the serious lack of people. We camped here and saw a single group of people all afternoon and evening.
The parking is also always quiet, too, because there are no immediate viewpoints (you have to hike).
Quick Stop: Candlestick Tower Overlook (5 mins)
This quick stop on the side of the road is not signed, but can be seen on Google Maps (we’ve included it on our map below). This means many people miss it!
It shows off a distant view of Candlestick Tower towards the Green River.
It’s just got a few spots for cars and there’s no real path, as such, just a scramble down the cliffs to as far as you’d want to go.
Tip: this is my favourite sunset spot in the park, because the sun often just clips the top of the cliffs to the right of Candlestick and the light is perfect.
Quick Stop: Green River Overlook (10 mins)
This is my favourite overlook in Island in the Sky.
It’s a quick stop with a decent amount of parking space and accessible, paved paths, with vast, clear views of the Green River and white rim, right across into the inpenetrable Maze District.
Definitely include this viewpoint if you miss the optional Murphy Point hike above, as the views are pretty similar. If the viewpoint is a little busy, just walk to the right of the paved section along the cliffs for a couple of minutes. You’ll easily find some solitude. I have sat on the cliff edge there and eaten my lunch in silence, many times.
Optional: Aztec Butte Trail (1.5 hours)
This 1.4-mile hike is a cool little side-quest if you’ve got time spare in your day.
It leads to several sets of Native American structures, one atop a small mesa that you have to scramble up using your hands (it’s quite grippy and as long as you’re wearing sensible shoes, so it’s not too bad). If you’re not a massive fan of climbing up slickrock, or heights, give this one a miss (or just hike to the first structures on the left, which is a bit easier).
It’s quite a fun hike and not excessively strenuous, but it’s not my favourite in the park.
We’d recommend it if you’ve not seen Native American ruins before anywhere else. However, if you’ve visited others in the southwest, especially places like Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly, Wupatki, Navajo or Bandelier, it’s probably not going to be particularly breathtaking.
It’s quite a scenic little stop, though. My favourite parts of the hike are the dramatic views into the end of Taylor Canyon, one of my top backcountry areas of the park.
Hike: Upheaval Dome and Whale Rock (1-2 hours)
Follow Upheaval Dome Road to the end and park up (it’s a popular spot but there’s a lot of parking spaces).
This is our last hiking opportunity for the day, up to the bizarre and unusual Upheaval Dome (nobody seems to know how it was formed).
This mysterious geological phenomenon is a huge volume of rock that has been ‘pushed up’ inside an enormous crater. It is theorised that it could have originally been caused by a meteorite.
There are several trails providing views around the crater. The most straightforward is the Upheaval Dome route which is 2-4 miles round-trip (1-2 hours), the distance depending on if you stop at the first viewpoint or the second. Both offer great vantage points, but the second is a little better if you have the time. The initial ascent is quite steep, up quite a few rough steps, but it’s worth it to see the weirdness that is this geological anomaly!
The very challenging Syncline Loop also starts here and follows the canyons surrounding the central dome (8.3 miles, 5-7 hours), but we absolutely wouldn’t recommend that if you only have one day (it’s one of the most challenging hikes in the park and some people died there recently due to heat exhaustion).
Optional: just adjacent to the Upheaval Dome area is Whale Rock, which has a short little hike to the top of a kind of whale-shaped outcrop. The views are pretty cool and it’s a nice little scramble to the summit (there are nice vistas of Candlestick and Taylor Canyon – two of my favourite places in Island in the Sky!).
Quick Stop: Shafer Trail Viewpoint (10 minutes)
This overlook on the way out of the park is an awesome little spot to view Jeeps heading down to the White Rim via the hairpin turns of the Shafer Basin Road.
Just adjacent to this viewpoint is the Shafer Canyon Overlook Trailhead, which offers just as cool views from a slightly different perspective. Both are worth a quick stop if you have time.
If you’re driving a four-wheel drive vehicle, this dirt road could also be your exit to the park, too (see below).
Sunset and Exit
Option 1: Sunset at Dead Horse Point
The first option is to end your day at Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset. It isn’t exactly in Canyonlands National Park, but it almost looks the same and is directly adjacent.
The turn-off to the park is on the way back to Moab, a little under seven miles after passing the Island in the Sky Visitor Center.
It’s a smashing place for sunset as there are panoramic views of the Colorado River from the outcrops of Dead Horse Point, which hover up to 2000 feet above. It’s great for accessibility, too, with large paved sections.
If, somehow, you have any spare time at the end of your day, there are outstanding vistas, extending far into Canyonlands’ domain, from the eight-mile hiking trail or the 17 weaving miles of mountain bike trails.
There are fascinating views of the almost alien bright-blueish potash pools, too, which starkly contrasts against the soaring red-orange cliffs. Also, you can see the location where Thelma and Louise drove their car into the ‘Grand Canyon’!
Dead Horse Point has a separate state park fee of $20 to enter.
Option 2: Drive the Potash Road
The Potash Road is an off-road trail that leads from the Shafer Switchbacks and the beginning of the White Rim Road, all the way back into central Moab via some crazy beautiful scenery! We’ve driven this route quite a few times (in an AWD, which we wouldn’t recommend if it is a rental), and it’s really quite reminiscent of the White Rim Road!
If you look carefully, you can see the tiny winding roads in the photos above. It’s a really fun option if you want to experience a bit of the backcountry around Canyonlands, but have very little time.
Also, by taking this route, you can see the spot where Thelma and Louise drove off the cliff!
There are no permits needed for this road.
Tip | the road takes around two hours (or more, depending on stops) to drive back to Moab from the top of the Shafer Trail. We’d highly recommend you taking a four-wheel drive vehicle, ensuring you can pass the potash plant and get onto paved roads before it gets dark. Also, avoid this route if it is raining.
Longer Hike Options and Backpacking Trails
If you’re looking to take a longer hike, rather than dot between lots of shorter viewpoint walks, we’ve got you covered.
The lengthier hikes in Island in the Sky drop down to the White Rim (apart from the Syncline Loop mentioned above). They are all classified as strenuous due to the large elevation change, which averages around 1400 feet each way. These hikes are mostly a half- to full-day commitment (fitness depending), so if you choose one, this will be much of your one day in Canyonlands.
Having said that, we thoroughly recommend the mesa-to-white rim routes!
Lathrop Trail (12-14 miles, 5-7 hours): this is our favourite, just because nobody else hikes it. However, it’s the longest on this list, so it’s one of the least suitable for a one day trip (we did this route as an overnight backpacking trip to Airport D campground).
The Murphy Loop (11 miles, 5-7 hours): we backpacked this overnight, but it’s totally possible to do it in a day (or less if you’re fitter than me). It’s one of the best on this list since it’s a loop, so you don’t walk up the same way you went down.
Gooseberry Trail (5.4 miles, 4-6 hours): this is the shortest route to the White Rim and is extremely steep. I don’t think it’s as scenic as some of the others, though. However, it’s great for fitting into a long morning during a short trip.
Alcove Spring (11 miles, 6-7 hours): this route does not drop to the White Rim Road directly but instead goes to Taylor Canyon, an incredibly scenic area in the Island in the Sky district. Here, you can scramble up the imposing Moses and Zeus, two huge sandstone formations (another favourite hike of ours). It’s long, exposed, and tiring, though.
Have a look at the map above, courtesy of the National Park Service, to see where these hikes begin.
Be aware that these longer hikes do not have any water so take at least four litres (a gallon) with you and even more in summer.
If you choose one of these, start early, head along the Mesa Arch Trail for sunrise, complete your longer hike, then go to the mesa-top viewpoints in the evening and spot where you just hiked – that would be a perfect day!
Offroad Option: Drive the White Rim Road
If you’re more into driving scenic backcountry trails than hiking them, Canyonlands will not disappoint!
If you stand atop the Island in the Sky mesa and stare down for long enough, you’ll make out the snaking White Rim Road that traverses the white sandstone of the canyons below. This 100-mile rough dirt road goes from Shafer Canyon in the east, to Mineral Bottom and Mineral Road in the west of the mesa, ending north of the park boundaries. This road trip is traditionally completed in around 2-4 days with camping on route. If you have one day and a four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance, it is possible to drive a section of it.
Day trip suggestion | take a trip down the dramatic Shafer Canyon. From there, you can head to Musselman Arch and onwards towards Lathrop and the Colorado River. This makes for a stunning day, encircled by canyons that you ordinarily view only from thousands of feet above. Then, retrace your steps and head back out to Moab via the scenic Potash Road (the 279 on Google Maps which follows the Colorado River, mentioned above).
Permits are required to drive the White Rim Road, even just for day use. There are 50 permits available daily, 25 of which are available the day before. If you do not get one, it is still possible to drive back to Moab via Shafer Canyon and the Potash Road without a permit.
Check out our dedicated post with everything you need to know to drive the White Rim Road.
Canyonlands Google Map
Below is a savable Google Map of all the things we recommend on this itinerary.
⬩ Green are hiking trailheads.
⬩ Orange are places of interest.
⬩ Purple are optional hikes.
⬩ Blue is the suggested driving route.
To save this map, select the star next to the title.
How Much Does Entry Cost?
A seven-day pass to Canyonlands is $30 per private vehicle, paid on entry to the park or online.
There are also two other payment options depending on your trip plans:
1. the Southeast Utah Parks pass, which includes entry to Arches and Canyonlands, plus Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments (both in the area and worth visiting). This pass costs $55, is valid for one year and permits entry to one private vehicle.
2. an America the Beautiful national park pass. If you are intending on visiting other national parks and monuments, we’d advise getting one. The America the Beautiful pass costs $80 for the year, and grants access to every federally managed national site in the United States. It is extremely easy to make it worthwhile if you are driving around southern Utah.
BEST TIME TO VISIT CANYONLANDS
The best time to visit Canyonlands is in the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November, which give you considerably better options for outdoor activities in the park. The weather is often mild with lots of sunshine. However, crowds and accommodation rates are high.
During summer, southern Utah gets very hot, often above 100 F (38 C), which is not ideal for hiking, particularly between the hours of 10am and 4pm. It would not be a wise plan to attempt certain hikes at all. Also, as most of Canyonlands’ hikes are also totally exposed, it would be equally unwise to hike long distances.
There is also a heightened risk of monsoon storms and lightning throughout the summer season (although Canyonlands offers the most immense views of the storms during this time – sitting and watching lightning hit the distant cliffs is a core memory!).
Winter can be a great time to visit too, as tourist numbers are low and lodging is cheaper. However, despite the temperatures during summer, the area around Moab gets lots of snow, ice and freezing conditions. If you have the gear and experience, though, it is a great time to be outdoors in the park.
Note: depending on the time of year, sunrise and sunset times differ in the park. This means daylight hours can differ by more than five hours, depending on season. Plan ahead accordingly.
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Options Further Afield: Needles District
There is another Canyonlands district near Moab, called Needles, which is a great option if you have a spare day.
This area is around a 75-mile (1.5 hours) drive south and west from Moab. It’s very feasible to stay in Moab and then visit Needles for the day, however we definitely suggest spending longer in this area. Consider camping in the developed campground there, obtaining a backpacking permit to camp overnight in the wilderness, or staying overnight in nearby Blanding (we love the Stone Lizard Lodge there, it’s the best place in town!).
The benefits of Needles over Island in the Sky is that far fewer people visit and the terrain is entirely distinct. If you do decide to check it out, we recommend the Chesler Park Loop hike with the Joint Trail. It’s one of the most enjoyable backpacking trips we have ever been on (if you camp, we’d recommend the Chesler Park campsite number 5, CP5!).
WHERE TO STAY FOR CANYONLANDS
Moab is the closest town to both Canyonlands National Park. The town is well equipped for tourists, with markets, restaurants, motels, campgrounds, breweries and quirky shops.
We’ve stayed in *a lot* of places in Moab at varying budgets, much to our bank balance’s detriment (Moab is generally expensive – stay in Green River for slightly lower prices, or camp). These are the best ones we’ve found:
Bowen Motel ($$) – this simple motel has the most central location on the main street, comfortable, clean rooms, and often a decent price point. We’ve stayed here a few times now and never been let down. It’s always our choice when the price is right.
Moab Rustic Inn ($$) – decent sized but slightly dated rooms, however it was clean, quiet, with a great price-point and also had a pool.
River Canyon Lodge ($$) – we’ve stayed here a few times since they did room renovations and it’s nice. The rooms are small, but modern, there’s a pool and the location is right next to the Moab Food Truck Park, which we love. You can hear a little through the walls though.
Kokopelli West ($$$) – super cute, colourful cabins, lovely hosts, great location. This amazing little find has modern, up-to-date rooms with comfy beds, fire pits and a general vibe that I just loved.
Under Canvas Moab ($$$) – I’ve stayed in other Under Canvas locations, and this particular one lives up to the name. It’s like luxury glamping and I love it! The tents gets pretty hot though, so I’d give it a miss during the scorching summer months.
Red Cliffs Lodge ($$$) – if you’re looking for something a bit special, this could be it. Hidden down Route 128, surrounded on all sides by cliffs, perched on the shore of the Colorado River is this surprising find. The location is unmatched, the rooms have a modern twist but with a kind of wood cabin vibe, and the room patios are huge. We actually discovered this place by driving past it – then immediately booked it!
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Camping Near Canyonlands
There are loads of camping opportunities all around the Moab area.
Along routes 128 and 279, you’ll find plenty of affordable first-come, first-serve BLM sites right on the Colorado River. These can be busy but we’ve always found a place by around 11am near to Moab (it’s easier on weekdays during peak season).
Down Kane Creek Road/Kane Springs Blvd (leads to the Chicken Corners route), there’s a lot of slightly more remote camping – we particularly liked Ledge B campground there. These campgrounds don’t get that busy from our experience. Nearer Moab, along the same road, King’s Bottom is really nice, but popular.
Both the nearby national parks have camping, too. Arches has Devils Garden Campground (reserve well in advance). We don’t love this one to be honest. There are a few really great sites in the rocks and the group site is cool, but lots of them are open and more designed for RVs. Canyonlands has Willow Flat Campground which is lovely and has a bit of a windswept vibe up near Green River Overlook (first-come, first-serve).
There are also a few BLM campgrounds, like Horsethief and Cowboy Camp, just outside the boundary to Canyonlands, on the road in (first-come, first-serve).
CAR HIRE FOR YOUR AMERICAN SOUTHWEST ITINERARY
We always rent our vehicles all over the world, including our recent extended trips in the United States, with Discover Cars. They’re often the most affordable, plus they paid out immediately on an insurance claim we made when our car took some heavy damage in Sicily. We fully recommend them.
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TAKE A LOOK BELOW OR CHECK CAR RENTAL
HAVE WE HELPED YOU PLAN A TRIP TO CANYONLANDS?
If you’ve found our content helpful, consider booking your rental car (if you need one!), through the company we always use – Discover Cars. They’re the absolute best and have been our rental companion (and savior, thanks to their insurance) in many destinations across the world.
Also, consider booking your accommodation through Booking.com – we use them exclusively when travelling in North America.
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Where to Next
If you’re visiting Canyonlands for one day, we really hope this itinerary helps with planning your trip! (I also hope you love this park as much as I do).
Although all of the other Utah national parks deserve their large visitor numbers, this park is the least visited of all five, which surprises me considering its proximity to Moab. It receives only two thirds of Capitol Reef‘s visitors, and that park is in the actual middle of nowhere!
It’s such a magnificent place to visit, especially if you cannot make it to the Grand Canyon on your road trip – the parallels between the two parks are noticable.
Anyway, I hope you have a great trip! If you’re spending some time around Moab, have a look at how we’d organise a three day itinerary there. It’s an action-packed little town!
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