Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Welcome to Canyonlands National Park's colorful landscape, which has eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries. The rivers divide the park into four districts, including the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves. While these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Tony SchetzslePhone Number: 435-719-2313
Entrance Fees: Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $10; InIndividual Pass (valid for 7 days): $5; Local Passport (valid for 1 year and applies to Arches, Canyonlands, Natural Bridges and Hovenweep): $25
Sights: Green River; Colorado River; White Rim; Tower Ruin; Island in the Sky; Grand View Point Overlook; Cataract Canyon; Upheaval Dome; The Maze; Land of Standing Rocks; The Doll House; The Fins; The Great Gallery; The Needles District
Endangered Species: Colorado Pikeminnow; Razorback Sucker; Humpback Chub; Bonytail Chub; Southwest Willow Flycatcher
Important Dates
Established as Park: September 12, 1964By The Numbers
Acres: 337,598.00Highest Point: Cedar Mesa (6987 feet)
Annual Visitation: 392,537 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :38.166680 / -109.983300 (map it)
State: UT
Nearby Big City: Moab, UT
Gateway Communities: Moab, UT; Monticello, UT
Nearby Airports: Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT); Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Cacti Cliffs
Stephanie Coffman
Mesa Arch
Bryan Brazil
Canyonlands, 1127
National Park Service
View More Canyonlands Photos
In Detail
5 Things to See in Canyonlands 1. BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURE Canyonlands National Park provides ample hiking opportunities from the sheer cliffs of the Island in the Sky district, the colorful spires of the Needles district and remote b ... read more.
Activities Canyonlands is wild and rugged—an intriguing place to explore at any time of the year. Because it is a desert environ-ment, the spring and fall are usually long and pleasant, except for possibl ... read more.
Flora & Fauna Above all, it is the availability of water that determines the species of plants and animals that can exist in a given location. And water, or the lack of it, has had a profound effect on Canyonlands ... read more.
Getting to Arches & Canyonlands By Air: There are daily non-stop flights between Moab and Salt Lake City. For information about booking go to www.discovermoab.com/transportation or call (800) 635-6622. By Bus: Greyhound serves Gre ... read more.
History Geologic History As with all of Utah's national parks, the history of Canyonlands is written primarily in the language of stone. If we were to think of the formation of Canyonlands as a battle betwee ... read more.
Sights To See Canyonlands, Utah's largest national park, awes visitors with the power and size of its landscape. There is so much to see and do that a person could spend a lifetime here and never know it fully. Is ... read more.
Visitor Services To reach Island in the Sky, the northernmost district of the park, drive north on U.S. 191 from Arches and then go 25 miles west on Route 313. A turn-off leads to Dead Horse Point State Park. From th ... read more.
Recent News
- Hopes dim for St. Cloud prof missing on solo trek in Utah May 21, 2008, 9:55 pm
Canyonlands In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
