While many people come to Utah solely to hike the accessible trails found at Arches National Park, fewer know about the many amazing hiking trails to be found at Canyonlands National Park. That is truly unfortunate because Canyonlands has a whole lot to offer its visitors. There are majestic Native American ruins nearby and soaring sandstone that can be joyous to explore for those who take the time to do it.
Taking the time to strap on a backpack and trek the trails here can be a fantastic experience, especially if you know which trails to visit. You’ll see some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the United States or perhaps the world.
We’ve compiled a list of the best trails in Canyonlands so you can easily determine what you would like to do when you visit. Some are long, others are short, and some are in the middle but all of them take you to amazing places you would never see otherwise.
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The Needles
In order to get to this collection of trails, you are first going to have to get to the Needles District. This is one of the more remote parts of the park so this endeavor might not be suited to everyone. However, once you get there, over 20 miles of trails are at your disposal. You can hike up to the Druid Arch to get a look at a beautiful view or take yourself along the Joint Trail to take advantage of the impressive rocks on the way. Nearly any place you go in this area will offer you something special and since it’s less popular, you get it all to yourself.
Mesa Arch
On the other hand, Mesa Arch is one of the most popular parts of Canyonlands. Part of the reason for that lies in the fact that there is a quick access trail along the main park road in the Island of the Sky District. That doesn’t mean it’s any less impressive, however. One of the things this area is best known for is the views at sunrise. In fact, it’s likely you’ve seen it on the Internet at some point, even if you aren’t aware of it. Head there in the early morning and you can expect to see people with cameras hoping to get a great photo of the AM views.
Aztec Butte
If you are looking for an easy to access short hike, look for Aztec Butte in the Island in the Sky area. It’s also not far from the Mesa Arch, so you can see both on the same day. What you can see here includes an ancient granary as well as great views of a river-cut canyon. The La Sal Mountains are out in the distance, often topped with snow, to give a great view and an amazing photograph. The Slickrock hiking area can add an additional layer of excitement to your hiking in Canyonlands. It’s a whole lot of fun for such an easy hike in the Canyonlands.
Murphy Trail
While this is a nice, short hike and has some beautiful things to look at, it’s not usually extremely popular for some reason. It’s easy to access and most people can handle it, but it’s a bit off the radar. You can enjoy looking at the eroded sandstone in the area and get a chance to do some improvisation as you go through the many overlooks dotted around the trail. We recommend visiting at sunset or daybreak if you want to enjoy the view of the Green River with sunshine hitting it. This is recommended as a short hike for those who can’t handle longer treks into the desert.
Horseshoe Canyon and the Grand Gallery
Those who enjoy rock art have to visit this area of the park. It’s one of the most amazing collections of old rock art that you can find in the United States. However, it also happens to be found in an area that most people don’t know about: Horseshoe Canyon. It’s located extremely far to the west and isn’t accessible from the three main districts that people visit. Instead, you’ll need to head to San Rafael Swell and go from there. The trail itself is 8 miles long and has amazing desert landscapes to take in, as well as fossilized prints from dinosaurs. It might be a bit troublesome to get to, but it’s completely worth the effort.
Salt Creek Canyon
If what you are looking for is a long trail that you can’t get through in a day, you want to visit Salt Creek Canyon. This is one of the coolest trails you will find in the Canyonlands, but it is also 30 miles long. You can find it in the easily accessible Needles District. There’s plenty of well-preserved rock art left by Native Americans in view as you hike near the impressive Angel Arch. Those who want to get away from everyone else to enjoy nature for a long trek will find this trail out of this world.
Upheaval Dome
Nobody knows exactly what led to the creation of the Upheaval Home, but it’s a really excellent thing to check out while in Canyonlands. It’s essentially a massive crater that is right in the middle of the rugged land in the area, and there are a couple of leading theories about how it got there. One theory says that it's an eroded impact crater from a meteor, and another theory says that it's a salt dome. For those who can’t take long hikes, don’t worry. This one requires only a short hike to get to. You’ll get to enjoy the beautiful canyon views and spots of light on a trail that doesn’t take much planning or gear.
False Kiva
This trail is located in Island in the Sky and has amazing views courtesy of a nearby alcove. While you can’t go to the alcove itself, you can get fairly close and take in the area of stone rocks that are believed to have been there for many hundreds of years. The name of the area comes from the fact that it isn’t a real kiva, but it is an archaeological site and should be respected. Keep in mind that the area is ceremonial and important to the Native American tribes in the area and should only be viewed, never disturbed.
Shafer Canyon Overlook
The Shafer Canyon Overlook is near the parking area and there is a narrow trial that leads you to an outstanding view of the canyon and winding road found below. It is located past the Sky Visitor Center but easily found and can be hiked by most people. It makes a nice choice when you want a short hike rather than something more strenuous. The view is amazing, and you can imagine what it would be like to trek along the roads below on the canyon floor while you take it all in.
Canyonlands National Park has all sorts of hiking options for beginners and experts. There are short hikes as well as hikes that can take days if you want to follow the trail to its end. No matter how much walking you want to do, you’ll find something that fits your needs. Some of the trails are packed with people with cameras and hiking boots, while others might have you think the area is completely deserted. It’s up to you to decide what sort of experience you want to have. No matter which you choose, you’re bound to drive away with memories to last a lifetime. Now get started on your next adventure and make sure you’re ready to explore Canyonlands National Park by getting your cheap car insurance in Utah here.
