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Canyonlands National Park

»Contact Information
»Getting There
»Weather
»Activities
Canyonlands National Park preserves a colorful landscape of sedimentary sandstones eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Located in southeast Utah, the park sits in the heart of a vast basin bordered by sheer cliffs of Wingate Sandstone.

The Colorado and Green rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves. While the districts share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration and the study of natural and cultural history.

Most visits to Canyonlands involve camping along the trails, roads and rivers found here. The four districts are not directly linked by any roads, so travel between requires two to six hours by car. Generally, people find it impractical to visit more than one or two districts in a single trip.


Contact Information

2282 S. West Resource Blvd.
Moab, UT 84532-3298
(435)719-2313 - Visitor Information
(435)259-4351 - Backcountry Reservations


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Getting There

By Plane
Commercial Airlines serve Grand Junction, CO and Salt Lake City, UT. A small commuter airline flies between Salt Lake City and Moab.

By Car
There are two paved entrances into Canyonlands. Highway 313 leads to the Island in the Sky District and is 10 miles north of Moab. Highway 211 leads to the Needles District and is 40 miles south of Moab.

By Plane
There is no public transportation to Canyonlands.

Getting Around
Most visitors travel by car to access trailheads and overlooks.

Weather

Canyonlands is located in a high desert, with cold winters and hot summers (highs frequently over 100 degrees F). Temperatures are mild during spring and fall.


Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
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  • Auto Touring
  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Climbing
  • Educational Programs
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Backpacking
  • Stargazing

Recommended Activities
Most visits to Canyonlands involve hiking, biking, boating or four-wheel driving in the park's backcountry. Overnight trips are common. For day trips, the Island in the Sky is the most accessible district, offering expansive views from many overlooks along the paved scenic drive, as well as several short hiking trails.


 
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Find Hiking and Biking Trails
If you like to go hiking or biking, then don't forget to get a map and guidebook. Trails.com offers a great service that allows unlimited downloads of trail guides for a small monthly fee. They even have a 14 day free trial. Whether you are looking for day hikes, backpacking trails, mountain bike routes or just short nature stroll, they cover it all. So let Trails.com help plan your next outing.
RV Information
Are you planning on traveling with your RV? If you are, you should check out the Good Sam Club. The Good Sam Club offers discounts on camping, a free magazine subscription and great tips on traveling with your RV. You can also get a free no-obligation RV Insurance quote . Give them a look and enjoy your trip.
Gear Up For Your Trip
Once you have finished deciding where to go, it will be time to gear up. A great place for adventure travel gear is The National Geographic Store. They have all types of maps and guides to help finalize your vacation plans.