Canyonlands is for the outdoor adventure enthusiast. Countless canyons have been carved out by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Canyonlands can be seen from above by hiking, driving 4 wheel drive vehicles or riding mountain bikes to vistas on the different mesas, or the canyon can be experienced by rafting or kayaking the Colorado River.
Drive To Canyonlands
More: Driving Directions: 
From Salt Lake:
Take I-15 South Bound (50 mi/80 km)
Take Exit 258 to US-6 East to Price (60 mi/95 km)
Continue on US-6/UT-191 to I-70 (70 mi/116 km)
Merge onto I-70 East toward Green River/Moab (25 mi/40 km)
Turn right at US-191 S (Crescent Junction) (20.4 mi/32.8 km)
Turn right at UT-313 W/State Route 313 W (14.6 mi/23.5 km)
Continue on Island in the Sky Road (turns into Grand View Point Rd) (11.8 mi/19 km)
From Las Vegas:
Take 1-15 North Bound through Arizona and into Utah (240 mi/386 km)
Take Exit 132 to merge onto I-70 East Bound toward Richfield/Denver (185 mi/298 km)
Turn right at US-191 S (Crescent Junction) (20.4 mi/32.8 km)
Turn right at UT-313 W/State Route 313 W (14.6 mi/23.5 km)
Continue on Island in the Sky Road (turns into Grand View Point Rd) (11.8 mi/19 km)
From Grand Junction:
• Take I-70 West Bound into Utah (80 mi/ 129 km)
Head South at US-191 S (Crescent Junction) (20.4 mi/32.8 km)
Turn right at UT-313 W/State Route 313 W (14.6 mi/23.5 km)
Continue on Island in the Sky Road (turns into Grand View Point Rd) (11.8 mi/19 km)
From Zion National Park, UT
Quickest Route
UT-9 West to La Verkin (19 mi/30 km)
UT-17 to I-15 (6 mi/10 km)
Take I-15 North to merge onto I-70 East (105 mi/169 km)
Take I-70 East toward Moab (185 mi/298 km)
Head South at US-191 S (Crescent Junction) (20.4 mi/32.8 km)
Turn right at UT-313 W/State Route 313 W (14.6 mi/23.5 km)
Continue on Island in the Sky Road (turns into Grand View Point Rd) (11.8 mi/19 km)
Scenic Route- by other National Parks
Take UT-9 East to UT-89 North (65 mi/105 km)
UT-89 North to UT-12 East (43 mi/69 km)
UT-12 East to UT-63 South to Bryce Canyon Nat’l Park (18 mi/29 km)
UT-63 North and UT-12 East to Torrey (114 mi/183 km)
UT-24 East to Capitol Reef Nat’l Park (10 mi/16 km)
UT-24 East to Hanksville (38 mi/61 km)
UT-24 North to merge I-70 East (43 mi/69 km)
I-70 East toward Moab (32 mi/51 km)
Head South at US-191 S (Crescent Junction) (20.4 mi/32.8 km)
Turn right at UT-313 W/State Route 313 W (14.6 mi/23.5 km)
Continue on Island in the Sky Road (turns into Grand View Point Rd) (11.8 mi/19 km)
Eat Lunch En route.
Visit Canyonlands National Park (4-5 hours)
More: Entrance Fees:
All federal lands passes are issued and accepted at Canyonlands.
Individuals: $5 (Good for 7 Days) This fee applies to motorcycles, bicycles and walk-ins (per person).
Vehicles: $10 (Good for 7 days) This fee includes all occupants of a vehicle.
Local Passport: $25 (Good for one year) Good for entrance to Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges.
National Park Annual Pass: $80 (Can be purchased online at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm) Valid for one full year from month of purchase (through last day of that month). Allows pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle to enter Federally operated recreation sites across the country. Covers the pass owner and three (3) accompanying adults age 16 and older at sites where per person entrance fees are charged. No entry fee charged for children 15 and under. Photo identification will be required to verify ownership. Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
Senior Pass: $10 US citizens over 62 years of age may purchase this lifetime Sr. Pass. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park.
Drive to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands.
From Hwy 191 approximately 12 miles north of Moab, take Hwy 313 to Canyonlands National Park. Stop at the Visitors’ Center to pick up a map and information before continuing to the lookout points.
Island in the Sky comprises the northern portion of Canyonlands National Park. From Dead Horse Point, return north on Hwy 313 for 7 mi/11 km to the junction with the Grand View Point Road and then drive the Grand View Road south into Canyonlands. Stop at the Visitors’ Center to pick up a map and information before continuing to the lookout points.
Main Points-of-interest:
- Mesa Arch
- Grandview Point
- Upheaval Dome
- Green River Overlook
More: Details:
Mesa Arch- (.5 mi/.5 km round trip) Mesa Arch is a very popular arch in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. It has beautiful views behind the arch of the river and mountains. It is pretty at anytime of day, and sunrise and sunset are absolutely spectacular. From the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, drive south for 6.3 miles and turn left into the parking area for Mesa Arch.
Grandview Point- (2 mi/3.2 km round trip) Grand View Point is a famous vista on the edge of Island in the Sky mesa, in Canyonlands National Park. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The trailhead is located at the South end of Grand View Point Road. From the parking area, the trail follows the edge of the mesa, along a narrow finger of land, to one of the most incredible viewpoints in the world. The mesa falls away from the point, allowing spectacular views in every direction.
Upheaval Dome- (1.6 mi/2.5 km round trip) Upheaval Dome is a geographic oddity, an anticline where rocks have been pushed up and then eroded to produce interesting strata. The most interesting about this odd big clump of dirt is how random it is in the middle of the red rock. There are two overlooks, the first is .6 mi/ and just beyond is the second (more impressive) overlooks and is 1.6 mi/ round trip. From Mesa Arch head a little further down till the road forks. Take a right and head North to the end of the road to Upheaval Dome.
Green River Overlook- From Mesa Arch head a little further down till the road forks. Take a right and head North. Green River Overlook Turnoff will be on your left shortly after. This overlook shows swerved canyons and you can actually see a little bit of the Green River as well. It's a really awesome overlook.
Visit Dead Horse Point
Dead Horse Point is a Utah State Park. It is a spectacular vista providing panoramic views of Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River. From Moab, drive north on Hwy 191 for about 12 mi/19 km to Hwy 313 and take the signed turnoff to Dead Horse Point. Follow Hwy 313 for about 22 mi/35 km as it winds to the top of the plateau and then south to Dead Horse Point.
As you leave Canyonlands, go about 8 mi/12km and take a right on Hwy 313 for 7 mi/11 km to Dead Horse Point. This gives you a birds-eye view of Canyonlands and the Colorado River over 1,000 feet below. It is an absolutely spectacular view of the river. It will be late afternoon/evening so you might catch a beautiful sunset over Canyonlands.
Check into your accommodations
Eat Dinner in Moab
Jet Boat and 4X4 Ride
Click Here for list of Guides and Outfitters
Take a half-day jet boat ride down the Colorado River into Canyonlands National Park. See Canyonlands from the river, a view that most people never experience. Glide along the top of the water going around bends in the river surrounded by high cliffs. Climb the 800 foot cliff to Fossil Point.
Then take a 4X4 ride up the Shafer Trail that winds itself through rugged backcountry onto Island In the Sky Mesa in Canyonlands National Park. See petroglyphs and other ancient Indian ruins.
