Let's Get Lost in Canyonlands National Park

In southern Utah, you'll find Canyonlands National Park, a neighbor to Arches National Park. Canyonlands preserves over 337,000 acres of colorful canyons, fins, spires, arches, buttes and mesas. The park itself is divided into three main districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles and The Maze. 

Island in the Sky get it's name from the towering rocks in the middle of the canyon. The Needs is home to fine pointed spire rocks and The Maze is the carved canyon that is by far the most rugged and remote district. 

The Needle District

These three districts are divided by two rivers: the Green River and the Colorado River. In the Permian period the white rim sandstone was exposed by erosion due to these flowing rivers, about 250 million years ago. The white rim sandstone is so prominent in the park, there is a road named after it. 

White Rim Sandstone

Canyonland's landscape is one of erosion and it continues to be as the erosion continues which will eventually rid the area of some of the current geological displays.