Where the Green and Colorado Rivers meet, Canyonlands National Park unfolds in a vast, sculpted landscape of mesas, buttes, and endless horizons. Located in southeastern Utah, this park is the largest in the state — a wilderness carved by water, wind, and time into one of the most dramatic desert panoramas in the world. The canyons stretch for miles in every direction, their sheer cliffs glowing in deep reds and golds beneath the desert sun. From the sweeping overlooks of Island in the Sky to the labyrinthine depths of The Needles and the remote wilds of The Maze, Canyonlands is a place of scale and silence that humbles anyone who steps into its expanse.
Each district of Canyonlands offers its own distinct personality. Island in the Sky provides some of the park’s most iconic viewpoints, where visitors can stand atop sheer cliffs a thousand feet above the desert floor. The Needles invites hikers to wander among towering sandstone spires and narrow passageways. The Maze, one of the most remote areas in the continental United States, challenges even seasoned explorers. Beyond the canyons, the confluence of the rivers reveals a rare meeting of forces that continue to shape the park — a reminder that the desert is alive and ever-changing.
Conservation in Canyonlands focuses on protecting its fragile desert ecosystems, water sources, and cultural heritage. The National Park Service and partner organizations work to preserve ancient rock art, monitor the effects of erosion, and protect native plant and animal life from the pressures of climate change and visitation. Efforts also focus on maintaining the pristine night skies that make Canyonlands a world-class destination for stargazing. Visitors are encouraged to explore thoughtfully — to tread lightly on the land and embrace the quiet that defines this extraordinary desert wilderness.
Our Experience
We've been to Canyonlands twice now. The first time, we drove as much of White Rim road as we could without a permit. We then made it a point to return 2 years later, with a permit, and drove the whole road. We got to camp in 2 different campsites: Potato Bottom B and Labyrinth B. Our favorite was Labyrinth B, it was isolated on a large cliff side with a beautiful view of the Green River.