Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands invites you to explore a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. These areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, but each offers different opportunities for sightseeing and adventure.

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WEATHER INFO

Canyonlands is part of the Colorado Plateau, a "high desert" region that experiences wide temperature fluctuations, sometimes over 40 degrees in a single day. The temperate (and most popular) seasons are spring (April-May) and fall (mid-September-October), when daytime highs average 60 to 80 F and lows average 30 to 50 F. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 F, making strenuous exercise difficult. Winters are cold, with highs averaging 30 to 50 F, and lows averaging 0 to 20 F.

Weather @ Canyonlands

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DIRECTIONS INFO

Hanksville, Utah

9.1 hr

Canyonlands

Canyonlands National Park is cut into three land districts by the Green and Colorado rivers. Island in the Sky, in the north of the park, is about 40 minutes from Moab, UT via UT 313. The Needles district is in the southeast corner of Canyonlands, about 90 minutes from Moab or an hour from Monticello, UT via UT 211. The Maze district, in the west of the park, is the most remote and challenging; its ranger station is down 46 miles of dirt road from UT 24. All roads in The Maze require high-clearance 4WD.

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Alerts

PARK CLOSURE

Grand View Point Closed for Construction Weekdays July 28 through September

Grand View Point Overlook, Grand View Point Trail, and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) of park road is closed Monday to Thursday. The closure applies to all uses, including vehicles, tour buses, motorcycles, bikes, & hikers. Parking is open but limited Friday to Sunday.

CAUTION

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect

Fires are allowed only in designated fire grates in developed campgrounds & picnic areas, or charcoal in metal fire pans in the river corridor. (Remove all ash.) Smoking is allowed only inside cars or at paved areas. Fireworks are always prohibited.

INFORMATION

Expect Long Lines at Island in the Sky Entrance

Between March and November, particularly on busy holiday weekends, you may experience long lines at the entrance road. Parking lots at popular trailheads and viewpoints will fill early. Pack your patience and arrive early to avoid crowds.

CAUTION

Difficult Conditions Complicate Cataract Canyon Takeouts

Hite Ramp is closed. The North Wash take-out is a primitive, unimproved dirt take-out. You will not be able to back a trailer down the dirt slope. Recent washouts have further deteriorated conditions.

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Canyonlands National Park