Things You Need to Know About Visiting Canyonlands National Park in June
If you want to visit Canyonlands National Park in June, there are important things you need to know.
Use this Canyonlands National Park guide to plan your June vacation: how avoid the crowds, things to do, what to pack, where to stay and more.
Canyonlands in June is a popular time for people to visit so expect crowds! You’ll find the highs are in the 90s and the lows are in the 60s in June.
To avoid the crowds, heat and intense sun, you should plan your outdoor activities in the morning and late afternoons.
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A Photo Tour of Canyonlands National Park
Take a visual tour through Canyonlands National Park (and Dead Horse Point) to see the stunning landscape in the parks!
VISITING CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK IN JUNE
You won’t find much shade at Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky or Needles Canyonlands so it’s best to do all outdoor activities in the morning and late afternoons.
Check out our article explaining Canyonlands Island in the Sky vs Needles!
And all Utah National Parks are crowded during the peak spring, summer and fall seasons. Since Canyonlands, Arches and the Moab area are popular destinations, it’s another reason we recommend getting into Canyonlands early or later in the day to avoid lines into the park.
Is June a Good Time to Visit Canyonlands?
The best time to visit Canyonlands National Park all depends on what you want to do at the park. June begins the hot summer season, but it’s not TOO HOT yet. We recommend you enjoy the outdoor activities in the cooler mornings and late afternoons and chill in the hotel AC during the day!
Our favorite seasons to plan a Canyonlands vacation are:
- Canyonlands National Park in the Spring
- Canyonlands National Park in the Fall
- Canyonlands National Park in the Winter
Canyonlands Weather in June
Summer is a HOT time for visiting Canyonlands National Park. The average highs at Canyonlands in June are 93 with the lows around 60. The morning temperatures are just right for hiking, biking and exploring the park!
Be sure to protect yourself from the sun by wearing a sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses when visiting Canyonlands National Park in the summer! It’s also important to stay hydrated and carry a hydration pack or a refillable water bottle in your backpack.
THINGS TO DO AT CANYONLANDS IN JUNE
There are fun things to do at Canyonlands National Park in June like hiking trails, scenic drives, stunning viewpoints and photo spots!
Canyonlands Visitor Centers in June
The Canyonlands Island in the Sky Visitor Center and Needles Visitor Center should be your first stop! They are open every day in the summer.
Take time to talk to the park ranger to get information about things you are interested in seeing and doing. Get tips and ideas on other things to do as well!
You’ll find exhibits, book and map sales, backcountry permits, picnic area, and general information. Water is available year-round.
Ranger- Led Programs at Canyonlands in June
There are fun and interactive ranger-led programs where you’ll learn about the natural and cultural resources at Canyonlands National Park.
Join a ranger for a talk, hike, or evening program. Check the website for the most updated schedule of events.
Scenic Drives at Canyonlands in June
Stunning views is what you’ll find along the Island in the Sky scenic drive. There are 10 overlooks and viewpoints to enjoy, and photograph, the landscape at this park!
Driving through Needles Canyonlands the views will be much different. Be sure to stop at all pullouts to enjoy the diverse beauty of the stone spires in this part of the park.
Boating in June at Canyonlands
The Colorado and Green Rivers offer miles and miles of flatwater for canoes, sea kayaks and shallow-water boats. There are also sections for whitewater river rafting!
In June the water might still feel a bit cold, especially in the morning. But the water flow is high so it’s the perfect time to enjoy the river section of Canyonlands!
Private Permits: You must have a Canyonlands river permit for all private river trips. You may reserve overnight permits up to four months before the following seasons and reservations close two days prior to a launch date. Day use permits are available year round.
Guided Trips: There are local outfitters in Moab that offer half-day to week-long guided trips with several nights of camping.
Hiking at Canyonlands in June
Exploring the Canyonlands hikes is one of the best ways to really experience the park. There are hundreds of miles of scenic trails to explore, from easy to strenous.
Remember to stay hydrated and carry a hydration pack or a refillable water bottle in your backpack. And since most of the trails are fully exposed to the sun, you’ll need sun protection like a sunhat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
Some of our favorite Island in the Sky hikes include Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, Aztec Butte and Upheaval Dome.
We like the easier Canyonlands Needles hikes like Roadside Ruin, Pothole Point and Cave Spring.
- What to Bring on a Day Hike
- Hiking Gear and Tips for Kids
- Winter Clothing for Hiking
- Photography Gear for Hiking
- Best Cameras for Hiking
Photography at Canyonlands in June
Sunrise and sunset are always the best times of day for Canyonlands National Park Photography. Our favorite sunrise spots at Island in the Sky are Grand View Point and Mesa Arch. We like the Colorado River Overlook at sunset.
Stop at all the viewpoints along the scenic drive at Island in the Sky to capture stunning landscapes.
If you’re serious about photography, check out our Arches & Canyonlands Photography Guide and Itinerary. We share the best photography spots at each park for sunrise, sunset and even night time…and give you our favorite 3 day itinerary!
Canyonlands Stargazing in June
We HIGHLY recommend setting aside one evening to stay after the sun sets and LOOK UP! You’ll quickly see why Canyonlands has the slogan: “Half the Park is After Dark”.
In June you can see the milky way from 10:30pm to 3:30am. Yes that’s pretty much the middle of the night, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime type experience!
Canyonlands is internationally recognized as one of the best places for stargazing because of its remote location, accessibility, altitude and clear skies. It’s a popular destination for astro-photographers so you won’t be alone in the park at night.
Canyonlands 4×4 Trails in June
Another experience of a lifetime is driving the Shafer Trail! It’s a challenging, unpaved backcountry road in Island in the Sky that connects with Moab.
There are also fun 4×4 trail at Needles Canyonlands, but check to see if you’ll need a permit for the trail you want to drive.
High-clearance 4WD vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) are required on all off-road trails in Canyonlands. ATVs, OHVs, or UTVs are not permitted inside the park.
These trails should not be attempted by inexperienced drivers since there is a high risk of vehicle damage that could lead to towing costs in excess of $1,000!
Biking in June at Canyonlands
You can ride on any public roadway at The Needles and Island in the Sky. You must ride single file. There are no road shoulders or bike lanes.
You’ll find hundreds of miles of roads for mountain biking for day trips and overnight trips:
- Overnight Trips: must have a Canyonlands overnight backcountry permit. Reservations for White Rim campsites are very competitive so plan to make a reservation up to four months in advance.
- Day Trips: must have a Canyonlands day-use permit for White Rim, Elephant Hill, Lavender Canyon, and Peekaboo/Horse Canyon roads.
If you’ll be riding on 4WD roads, there are no shoulders or bike lanes so be aware of passing vehicles.
More Canyonlands Activities
BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps:
Things To Do Near Canyonlands
- Dead Horse Point State Park
- Arches National Park Travel Guide
- Things To Do in Moab
- TOURS Near Canyonlands
Where to Stay Near Canyonlands
There are no lodging facilities in the park, but there are campgrounds:
- Island in the Sky Campgrounds
- Needles Canyonlands Camping
- Where to Stay Near Canyonlands
- Hotels Near Canyonlands National Park
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Moab – we enjoyed our stay and highly recommend this hotel due to its location close to Canyonlands.
- Purple Sage – our all-time favorite place to stay in Moab – walking distance to shopping, full kitchen, and only 8 units so you don’t feel lost in a large hotel.
- Red Cliffs Lodge – rooms up to 6 people – located 17 miles from Moab, this lodge is known for its beautiful location, winery and activities like horseback riding, fishing and more!
- Townhomes south of Moab – we really like the townhomes in Spanish Valley with kitchen, washer and dryer in the unit and a swimming pool/hot tub (just a 5 minute drive south of Moab).
