3rd Does
Written By Jennifer CurnuttA MAZE OF VAST DESOLATE Mountains
There is nowhere very like Canyonlands National Park, which makes you feel negligible and unattainable in the world. More than 330 000 acres of spectacular desert are located in southeast Utah, making it one of the most rural, desolate national parks in the country. Its rock walls were carved out by the Colorado River and its tributaries, much like the Grand Canyon, eroded with moment leaving behind an Island in the Sky, a toned- topped mountain of magnificent outlooks and miles of labyrinth- like canyons. It is a geographical treasure of steep, jaw-dropping views, wind-swept rocks, plains, and sweeping, jaw-dropping views where crossing rivers have created a geological goldmine. Not to mention, if you leave the key route, you might actually discover that you have it all to yourself. A visit to Canyonlands is like coming to the end of the street and stepping into a international land- absolutely unearthly, wild and large.
Canyonlands is very remote, unlike most other national parks. You may not be used to little preparing, but it is necessary. This is not to say you ca n’t do a quick drive through parts of it, but if you really want to experience all that it has to offer, you need to do your research. Important points to be aware of and think about before proceeding are provided above.
Park PassesCanyonlands is available all day, every day, 365 days a year, according to operating time. Entry fees are subject to change but are now as follows: Personal Vehicle-$ 30Motorcycle-$ 25Pedestrian or Bicycle-$ 15 per man
The Southeast Utah Annual Park Pass, America the Beautiful Pass, Military Pass, Annual 4th Grade Pass, Lifetime Pass, Annual Senior Pass, and Lifetime Access Pass are additional entry-related moves that can be used for admittance.
Backcountry and other permits are available for a large portion of the canyonlands ‘ undeveloped, rugged terrain. All overnight excursions into its mountains require permits which may be challenging to obtain during peak periods ( spring and fall ). Even if you do n’t plan to stay overnight, day use permits are required for White Rim Road, Elephant Hill, Lavender Canyon, and Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads.
Your permission does not apply to your appointment. You may receive instructions on where to get it when your reservation is perfect. On wireless devices, grants are not acceptable. Always have a signed, printed version in your hands. Permits no reserved in advance perhaps become available on a primary- come, initial- serve basis at the Visitor Centers.
Recreation allows for reservation. It’s okay to reserve them up until two days prior to your visit, but it’s still wise to do so at least four months in advance of the season you’re visiting. Below is the schedule. Summer ( June 10 through September 9 )- Reservations open 8 am MST on February 10; Fall ( September 10 through December 9 )- Reservations open 8 am MST on May 10; Winter ( December 10 through March 9 )- Reservations open 8 am MST on August 10
Canyonlands is regarded as a high desert, with daytime temperatures reaching 40 degrees Fahrenheit in a single day throughout the year. Be sure to check the weather before leaving home. Winters can be extremely cold, rarely exceeding 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and frequently dropping below zero at night. Although snow is uncommon and quite beautiful, road closures and even light snow can occur. When traveling in winter, always check road conditions in advance.
Summers can have scorching summers with little shade and monsoons with flash floods. If you want to travel during the summer, bring plenty of water, avoid strenuous exercise, and stay away from places like slot canyons and flash flood-prone areas. Spring and fall are the best times to visit. Highs and lows range between 30 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit between April and May, and between September and October.
Without a four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance, low range, and high clearance, the majority of Canyonlands is inaccessible. Many roads are considered extremely technical to navigate and may experience flooding, snow, ice, deep sand, ledges and rock falls. Road conditions can change suddenly and unanticipatedly. Maintenance visits to blocked and dangerous back country roads may take as little as two days to clear. Often times, chains and winches become necessary.
Elephant Hill, Salt Creek, Horse Creek, Davis Canyon, Lavender Canyon, Colorado Overlook, and the White Rim are some of the 4WD-friendly roads. Within the park’s boundaries, water is a incredibly scarce resource. Although water is available at the Island in the Sky and Needles Visitor Centers, there is no water available elsewhere, not even at Ranger Stations. Be prepared by bringing plenty of water with you because Canyonlands is a dry, desolate, and extremely hot place in the summer when temperatures can easily reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Where Can I Stay Camping at Canyonlands There are two campgrounds inside the park, including the Island in the Sky ( Willow Flat ) Campground, which has 12 camping spots. First come, first serve. Near the stunning Green River Overlook, which is open year-round. picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets. No water. 26 individual and 3 group campsites are located at the Needles Campground. In the spring and fall, you can reserve some locations. Other times of year, they are first come, first serve. Reservations for group sites can be made between mid-March and mid-November. picnic tables, fire rings, and toilets.
Highway 211 Campgrounds – Creek Pasture Campground, Hamburger Rock Campground ( pictured here ), Superbowl Campground ( including group sites ). Goose Island Campground, Grandstaff Campground, Drinks Canyon Campground, Hal Canyon Campground, Oak Grove Campground, Big Bend Campground, Upper Big Bend Campground, Upper Onion Creek Campground, Lower Onion Campground are on Highway 128 Campgrounds.
BLM campgrounds- There are a lot of BLM campgrounds nearby that do n’t require reservations or fees. Backcountry Camping– There is extensive backcountry camping throughout Canyonlands that can be used for backpacking, 4- wheel drives, boating or bicycling. Hunderte of miles of hiking trails have designated campsites in the backcountry. You will need a permit for all overnight excursions, though.
Dead Horse State Park- There are several campgrounds at neighboring Dead Horse State Park including Kayenta Campground, Wingate Campground and the Moenkopi Yurts. Moab and Monticello are the two cities that are closest to Canyonlands National Park in terms of lodging. Both properties provide a large selection of hotels, motels, bed and breakfast, bed linens, and vacation rentals.
1. The 1, 000-foot-high sandstone cliffs that overlook the valley below, called” ISLAND IN THE SKY,” are situated on the edge of the Sky Mesa. Along the island, there are numerous scenic viewpoints that each provide unique views of the picturesque canyons below.
This is the most accessible area of the park and the closest to Moab. The majority of it has paved, scenic roads with pullouts, making it accessible for four-wheel drive. If you have a limited amount of time, this location is ideal for a day hike and short hikes.
Island in the Sky Visitor Center and Natural History Association bookstore offers exhibits, publications, park information and an orientation video. For the backcountry, permits can also be obtained here. One of the few places with water is here.
THINGS TO DO:
The overlook at the end of a mile-long sandstone staircase offers unobstructed views of red rock spires against the azure skies. With stunning views of distant mountains, basins, canyons, and White Rim Road, it is located at the island’s southernmost point. From the Visitor Center, drive south 12 miles to the end of the road. The first viewpoint is accessible via a 100-yard trail that winds its way from the parking lot to the first viewpoint. A paved trail leads you down the cliff edge to a second viewpoint from where you can go for an additional mile. There are ranger led hikes here from spring to fall where you can learn about the park’s geology.
The La Sal Mountains and the enormous canyon below are visible from the Mesa Arch, an arch that is located directly on the edge of a 500-foot cliff. When the sun rises above the arch, the red sandstone is illuminated in golden hues as you travel there at dawn. The parking lot for Mesa Arch Trail is 6.3 miles south of the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, before Upheaval Dome Road, and fills up very quickly especially at sunrise.
Shafer Trail: An incredible unpaved backcountry road with opportunities to see wildlife leaves you speechless. As it winds 1,500 feet down along vibrant sandstone walls and a massive cliff, the turn off offers a fantastic view of the famous route. However, if you want to travel past this point, you will need a 4WD and low range gear ( 4LO ) for this challenging, treacherous route. It’s also a fantastic place to ride mountain bikes. The 19.6-mile road has a 15-mph speed limit and begins 0.9 miles past the Visitor Center. Seatbelts are mandatory and uphill traffic has the right of way.
2. The Needles area is home to beautiful backcountry, which requires four-wheel drive or a boat to access. Hiking in this District is more strenuous than other areas of the park and it is quite remote. It is ideal for backpacking because of its incredible spires and pictographs. ACTIONS TO DO:
Lavender Canyon – A canyon accessible from a road that follows the canyon bottom through deep sand, deep water and quicksand. This canyon is worth exploring if you have the ability to navigate its dangers because it contains a lot of arches and archaeological sites, some of which are visible right off the road. The route includes two significant creek crossings with steep banks, which is typically too sandy for mountain bikes. A backcountry permit is required even for day use. Despite its name, you wo n’t find any lavender fields here, which is interesting.
Elephant Hill Trail is one of Utah’s most technical four-wheel drive roads, and it is notorious for its steep grades, loose gravel, stair-step dropoffs, and hairpin turns. The trail is about 14.5 miles long. 4WD is required and the maximum vehicle length, including racks, is 21 feet. No water is available at any of the campsites, and this area is extremely hot, especially in the summer. A backcountry permit is required even for day use.
3. West of the Green River, the park’s largest wilderness area, The Maze, is incredibly unpopulated. It is a haven for remote backpacking, strenuous hiking and off roading. The Canyonlands district has the fewest visitors, making it the least accessible area. 30 square miles of unexplored, twisting, and dividing back upon themselves are the Maze itself, which is made up of 600-foot-wide canyons that can only be explored by foot. This slew of interwoven canyons often lead to dead ends referred to as a” 30- mile puzzle in sandstone”. Be sure to have a topographical map of the area before traveling here because, like many other canyons, GPS frequently leads one wrong. In an emergency, it can literally take rescuers up to three days to reach hikers, which is not for amateur hikers or the unprepared.
THINGS TO DO:
The 8-mile, moderately traveled Maze Overlook Trail features incredible petroglyphs, ruby red canyons, massive sandstone fins, and views of the Green and Colorado Rivers converging. Just before the trailhead, it takes you along steep, exposed rocks and pour-offs for a 6 hour 4WD journey. Basic climbing maneuvers, scrambling and rope to navigate are necessary when visiting. Many locations appear identical, and the trail is frequently not always reliable. Bring a topographical map and plenty of water, which are extremely scarce in this area.
4. Horseshoe Canyon is best known for its significant archaic rock art, which is one of North America’s most intricate and well-preserved designs. Although GPS is not necessary, two-wheel drive vehicles can typically travel to Horseshoe Canyon. Maps are a necessity. ACTIONS TO DO:
The best-known and most impressive panel of Horseshoe Canyon’s pictographs and petroglyphs is The Great Gallery. At over 200 feet long, the extensive panel is extremely well- preserved containing life- size figures with intricate designs believed to be 1, 500- 4, 000 years old. The hike is a total of 7 miles long and is year-round. Be prepared to hike back up the trail at the end because the trail has an elevation of almost 800 feet at the beginning. There is camping nearby at the west rim trailhead on BLM land but camping here within the park boundary is prohibited.
5. The Colorado and Green Rivers pass through the canyons, often obscured from view and not readily accessible due to the complex contours of the distinctive landscape. To launch on the Colorado from here, boaters can use the Potash or Moab ramps. Boaters can use Ruby Ranch, the Green River State Park, or Mineral Bottom ramps to launch on the river. Near the Confluence and Cataract Canyon, vehicles are not permitted to drive. There are also several river rafting outfitters that operate expeditions here. Links to More Information: Canyonlands Explorer Guide Canyonlands Maps & PublicationsThe Maze Trail and RoadHorseshoe CanyonThe Needles Trails and RoadsJunior Range
Jennifer Curnutt
