Planning a visit to Canyonlands Island in the Sky district? Here’s all you need to know.
Canyonlands National Park is a must-see if you are traveling through southern Utah. The park is divided into four districts by a maze of (you guessed it) canyons, as well as the Colorado and Green Rivers. The most accessible district from Moab, UT is Island in the Sky. While the districts look close to each other on a map, it’s a 2-6 hour drive to travel between them. Our guide focuses on the Island in the Sky district where you can easily see all the highlights in 1-2 days. Canyonlands offers incredible views of sweeping vistas, dizzying canyons, a good mix of easy day hikes and hardcore backcountry trails and unique geological features unlike any we’ve seen anywhere else.
What we loved:
- Accessible hikes and views
- Easy to fit into a weekend
- Moab- restaurants, shopping, lodging
What you should keep in mind:
- Four districts – not all hikes are easily accessible from the main park entrance
- HOT in summer, exposed trails
- Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and salty snacks
Hiking in Canyonlands Island in the Sky District
Mesa Arch
Distance: 0.7 miles, Difficulty: Easy, Time: 20 mins, Elevation Gain: 88 ft., Type: Loop
Mesa Arch is a beautiful rock structure framing the La Sal mountains in the distance and is well worth your time. This is a great option for a sunrise hike as the arch creates an east-facing window to the morning sun. You will likely encounter crowds if visiting on a weekend so a little patience is needed if you want the perfect picture of the arch.
Grand View Point Trail
Distance: 1.8 miles, Difficulty: Easy, Time: 40 mins, Elevation Gain: 160 ft., Type: Out and Back
Grand View Point Trail is an easy hike that offers amazing views from the rim of the canyon along its entire length. The trail is plenty wide and is clearly marked with cairns. If you are not afraid of a little scrambling, you can climb to an impressive lookout point at the end of the trail.
Upheaval Dome via Crater View Trail
Distance: 1.3 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time: 40 mins, Elevation Gain: 226 ft., Type: Out and Back
This trail offers two overlooks featuring the most unique geological structure in the park: Upheaval Dome. While there is still some debate about what formed Upheaval Dome, the main theory is that it is the ancient remains of a meteorite crater. The first overlook is about 1/2 mile from the trailhead. If you have time and want more of a challenge, you can hike the extra mile to the second overlook.
Whale Rock Trail
Distance: 0.8 miles, Difficulty: Easy, Time: 20 mins, Elevation Gain: 131 ft., Type: Out and Back
Whale Rock trail is short and sweet. At the end of the trail hikers can scramble up the giant boulders of Whale Rock to glimpse a vista featuring rock formations.
Aztec Butte Trail
Distance: 1.6 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time: 30 min-1 hr., Elevation Gain: 250 ft., Type: Out and Back
Aztec Butte trail is a dirt trail with an optional loop of slickrock scrambling up the butte at the end. The trail forks and heads west towards the most interesting feature of this hike: the Puebloan granary that is still perched just below the rim of a small butte – one of the more unique features of Canyonlands island in the Sky!
If you have the time and energy…
- White Rim Overlook:
- Distance: 1.8 miles, Difficulty: Easy, Elevation Gain: 160 ft., Time: 45 mins, Type: Out and Back
- Murphy Point Trail:
- Distance: 3.4 miles, Difficulty: Easy, Elevation Gain: 147 ft., Time: 1.5 hours, Type: Out and Back
- Neck Spring Trail:
- Distance: 5.5 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Elevation Gain: 688 ft., Time: 2.5 hours, Type: Loop
- Murphy Trail Loop:
- Distance: 10.1 miles, Difficulty: Hard, Elevation Gain: 1,614 ft., Time: 5-7 hours, Type: Loop
Drive-Up Features
- Green River Overlook
- Schafer Canyon Overlook
- Buck Canyon Overlook
Camping / Lodging
The Canyonlands National Park entrance to Island in the Sky District is a 45 minute drive from Moab. You could easily stay in Moab or there are many camping options on BLM land and within the park itself.
National Park:
Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground: $15 for a standard nonelectric site near the stunning Green River Overlook. There are 12 first-come, first-served campsites available year-round. Sites include picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets but no drinking water. Pets are allowed but must be leashed at all times.
BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Campsites:
These campsites are on public land along highway 313 on the way to the Canyonlands Island in the Sky district entrance. Individual sites are $20/night and are first-come, first-served. It’s better to get to your site earlier in the day especially during peak season of March-May and September-October. There are some group sites that can be reserved in advance. Check Recreation.gov if you are planning a trip during the off-season to make sure that the campsites are open; seasonal closures for maintenance are common during the winter months. Drinking water is not provided so be sure to bring plenty with you. See map for locations/coordinates.
Horsethief Campground: Located 25 minutes outside of Moab, this campsite is great if you want to visit Dead Horse State Park and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands. This campsite includes 4 loops: Appaloosa, Buckskin, Cayuse, and Dapple. RVs can choose from the 56 campsites at Appaloosa, Buckskin, and Cayuse. Dapple loop has 28 tent campsites. If you are camping with a larger group there are 5 reservable group campsites. There is no water or hook-ups available at these sites. Toilets are available. This area also has lots of hiking, biking, and 4WD trails nearby.
Cowboy Campground: This campground offers 7 sites perched along the mesas above Moab. The road is high-clearance only. Toilets are available but no water or hook-ups.
Lone Mesa Campground: If you have a larger group (up to 30 people), check out this campground. There are 5 reservable group campsites with a shaded shelter, picnic table and fire pit. Reservations open 6 months in advance so book early if you can. There are also individual first-come, first-served campsites. Vault toilets and trash disposal are available but no water or hook-ups.
Privately Owned Campsites:
If you want to camp but also want more amenities such as electric, showers, WiFi, even a pool!, check out commercial sites around Moab.
Moab KOA: at ~$60/night you can have a tent site that accommodates up to 6 people with access to showers, restrooms, your own charcoal grill and picnic table. The Moab KOA also has Moab’s largest pool which is open between March 15-November 10, 2020. There are also cabins and RV sites available.
Slickrock Campground: single tent sites are ~$50/night. Covered and uncovered sites are available, in addition Slickrock Campground offers WiFi access, laundry facilities, restrooms and showers, a pool, and a playground. Cabins and RV sites are also available.
Lodging
There is a large selection of inns and hotels in Moab. Consider booking somewhere in the northern part of town closer to Canyonlands Island in the Sky and Arches.
About Moab
Restaurants:
Moab Brewery: Brewery, distillery, gelato and pub food
Zax Restaurant: Pizza, burgers, soup, salad and bar
Miguel’s Baja Grill: Mexican food inspired by Baja California Sur and traditional dishes
Desert Bistro: Upscale southwestern cuisine. Open for dinner.
Sunset Grill: Steakhouse and seafood with patio seating and a scenic view. Open for dinner.
Quick stops for lunch:
Sweet Cravings Bakery and Bistro: coffee, warm cinnamon rolls, breakfast, and lunch options. Stop by for breakfast and then get a sandwich, wrap, or salad to go for lunch in the park.
Moab Food Truck Park: If you have a large group and can’t decide on a single restaurant, try the Moab Food Truck Park! They have everything from Chinese to Hawaiian shave ice.
Quesadilla Mobilla: food truck serving gourmet quesadillas with unique ingredients like kimchi and green chili chicken
Coffee and Breakfast:
Moab Diner: American diner with all-day breakfast
Doughbird: Fresh donuts and coffee
Moab Garage Co.: Unique ice cream flavors, breakfast and lunch fare and coffee
Love Muffin Café: Breakfast burritos, paninis, and gluten-free and vegetarian options- and of course, coffee!
Jailhouse Café: Classic American breakfast and brunch
Eklectica Coffee: Coffee shop with breakfast and brunch
Shopping and Other Attractions:
Grocery: The Village Market, City Market and Pharmacy
Outdoor Gear: Gearheads Outdoor Store, Moab Gear Trader, Anasazi Desert Gear, Pagan Mountaineering
Gear rental: Chile Pepper Bike Shop, Moab Water Sports and Gear Rentals, Twisted Jeep Rentals, Canyon Voyages Adventure
Shopping: Moab Rock Shop, Moab Made, Back of Beyond Books, Ye Ol Geezer Meat Shop, Hogan Trading Company
Itinerary for a 2-Day Trip:
Day 1:
Morning:
- Hike 1: Beat the heat and the crowds and make a beeline for the Mesa Arch trailhead.
- Hike 2: Head over to the nearby Aztec Butte trail
- Hike 3: Green River Overlook
Lunch: Head into Moab. Depending on the time of year, the early afternoon heat can be punishing. You can easily drive into town and grab some gelato at Moab Brewery, ice cream at Moab Garage Co., or MOYO frozen yogurt.
Afternoon:
- Hike 1: Upheaval Dome via Crater View Trail
- Hike 2: Whale Rock Trail
Dinner: Check out one of the many restaurants in Moab or enjoy a drink at Moab Brewery
Day 2:
Morning:
- Have breakfast at Jailhouse Café or a donut and coffee from Doughbird
- Stop by Schafer Canyon Overlook for beautiful early morning lighting.
- Hike 1: Head down to the southern terminus of the park to hike Grand View Point trail
- Stop by the Canyonlands Island in the Sky Visitor Center to learn more about the park and pick up a souvenir
Lunch: Enjoy a well-earned lunch in town or have another picnic at a shady spot in the park.
Afternoon:
- Explore downtown Moab and pick up a souvenir
Dinner: Sunset Grill in Moab- consider making reservations
Evening: Sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park at Dead Horse Point or at one of the many overlooks.
Summing Up
Canyonlands Island in the Sky district offers visitors amazing vistas of Southern Utah beauty. Hiking of varying difficulties and incredible drive up views make Canyonlands a memorable destination for all ages and abilities. We hope you enjoy your trip!
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