Canyonlands National Park Itinerary


This Canyonlands National Park itinerary will take you to the most majestic and wondrous points throughout the park. You'll even have a chance to venture out to Dead Horse State Park. Hike, raft, kayak, or go offroading. Two days and two nights will be enough to entice you back again and again for an entire lifetime.

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. The canyon can be experienced by rafting or kayaking the Colorado River.

Day 1: Visit Canyonlands National Park

(4-5 hours)

Entrance Fees:

$30 per vehicle

$25 per motorcycle

$15 per bicycle/pedestrian

From State Highway 191, approximately 12 miles north of Moab, take State Highway 313 to Canyonlands National Park. Stop at the Visitor 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 miles (11 kilometers) to the junction with the Grand View Point Road, then drive the Grand View Road south into Canyonlands. Stop at the Visitor Center to pick up a map and information before continuing to the lookout points.

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 miles (19 km) to Hwy 313; take the signed turnoff to Dead Horse Point. Follow Hwy 313 for about 22 miles (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 miles (12km) and take a right on Hwy 313 for 7 miles (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

Day 2

  • Jet, boat and 4X4 Ride
  • 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.

Sleep in, then eat a late breakfast. Homeward bound.

Canyonlands Tours & Guides

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Southwest Adventure Tours is a professional guide service that will help you experience the beauty a...
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When you're looking for adventure, NAVTEC Expeditions offers the most comprehensive selection of Col...
Get In The Wild Adventures specializes in backpacking, scrambling, canyoneering, and snowshoe classe...
Moab Cliffs and Canyons is the oldest climbing and canyoneering guide service in Moab, Utah. Moab Cl...
Moab's newest outdoor hotel.
Sheri Griffith River Expeditions has been the premier whitewater rafting outfitter in Moab, Utah sin...
The first choice for off-road adventure and family fun in Moab! Offering Moab's #1 Rated Hummer and ...
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Explore Utah in a fully outfitted Toyota TRD Off-Road 4Runner!
Offering rafting tours on the Colorado and Green Rivers in addition to canoe and kayak rentals. Wit...
Rated #1 Tour Company in Salt Lake City out of 100+ others on TripAdvisor.
Adventure your way! Zip Line Tours, Hummer Tours, River Rafting and more!
Offering exciting, safe hiking and photography tours to the Vermilion Cliffs and Grand Staircase-Esc...
Backpackers, campers & hikers: It’s time to explore with Wildland Trekking.
Discover the magic of our mild to wild Moab rafting trip options and feel spoiled as the guides take...
Utah is a land of hidden slot canyons, high adventure and incredible national parks—the kind of plac...
Discover the incomparable landscapes of Utah’s canyon country with Four Season Guides’ Utah Hiking T...
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Get up close and personal with natures wonders. Let Southern Utah Scenic Tours help you plan a tour ...
Western River Expeditions rafting trips Moab, UT include the Colorado River, Westwater River, Desola...
Helping folks escape the crowds on multi-day Whitewater Rafting & Mountain Biking adventures for mor...
The Moab Adventure Center offers the most convenient way for you to reserve all your daily outdoor a...
They specialize in the Zion, Moab, and Lake Powell area in Southern Utah but they also travel!
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Canyonlands Weather

Average Temperature

Sun
48.6°F
Low31.1°F

Average Precipitation

Rainy weather icon
0.74"

Average Snowfall

Snowy weather icon
2.7"

Recently Visited

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