Canyonlands National Park Itinerary Ideas
Canyonlands is a breathtakingly beautiful landscape of canyons, mesas and buttes in southeast Utah. Use these Canyonlands National Park itinerary ideas for 1, 2, or 3 days in the park!
This Canyonlands National Park guide includes everything you should see, do and photograph at this stunning park no matter how many days you can spend here!
This guide will include itinerary ideas for Canyonlands Island in the Sky, Needles Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point State Park!
As you’re planning your Utah National Park road trip, these itinerary ideas will allow you to check off these stunning locations from your bucket list!
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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!
Things to Know Before Visiting Canyonlands
Canyonlands National Park has four unique districts:
- Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky – the most accessible and offers fantastic, panoramic views of the park along the scenic drive.
- Needles Canyonlands – remote, backcountry experience with an assortment of natural geologic formations that can only be reached by using one of the many Canyonlands hiking trails or four-wheel driving trails.
- The Maze
- The Rivers
Canyonlands is a remote area with few services. There is no food, lodging (only camping), or gas available in the park.
Before creating your Canyonlands itinerary, it’s important to know the Canyonlands National Park weather and what activities you can do when visiting during the spring, summer, fall and winter.
- Canyonlands National Park in the Spring
- Canyonlands National Park in the Summer
- Canyonlands National Park in the Fall
- Canyonlands National Park in the Winter
The time of year you visit will determine the Canyonlands packing list you’ll need to use!
We recommend the Canyonlands GyPSy Guide App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location.
Canyonlands National Park Itinerary: Day 1
Here’s what we recommend for your Canyonlands National Park One Day Itinerary at Island in the Sky. Click that link to see the specific details of all the activities listed.
Sunrise
- Canyonlands sunrise at Island in the Sky
- Mesa Arch
- Grand View Point
Morning
Lunch
- Island in the Sky
Afternoon
- Scenic Drive and Hikes
Sunset
Night Photography / Stargazing
- Mesa Arch
- Grand View Point
- Dead Horse Point
Canyonlands National Park Itinerary: Day 2
Here’s what we recommend for spending two days at Canyonlands National Park. Click that link to see the specific details of all the activities listed.
Sunrise
- Your choice
- Best Sunrise Photo Spots in Moab
Morning
Lunch
- Moab
Afternoon
- Your choice
Sunset
- Green River Overlook
- Moab sunset photo spot: Fisher Towers
Night Photography / Stargazing
- Your choice
- Fisher Towers
Canyonlands National Park Itinerary: Day 3
Here’s what we recommend for spending three days at Canyonlands National Park. Day 3 will be spent exploring the Needles District. Click that link to see the specific details of all the activities listed.
Morning
- Needles Scenic Drive
- Needles 4×4 Trails
- Canyonlands Needles Hikes
Lunch
- Needles
Afternoon
Sunset
- Needles Overlook
- Anticline Overlook
Night Photography / Stargazing
- Your choice
- Needles or Anticline Overlooks
Moab Day 3 Alternatives
You can also use Day 3 to explore the Moab area, or do any Canyonlands National Park activities you weren’t able to do on Days 1 or 2!
BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps
Plan Your Canyonlands Vacation
- Visiting Canyonlands National Park
- Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park
- Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky
- Needles Canyonlands
- Canyonlands National Park Tours
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).
