12 Best Hikes in Canyonlands National Park

Last updated May 27, 2026 · Originally published May 1, 2024

2. Chesler Park/Joint Trail Loop

Distance: 10.7 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation Gain: 1,188 feet
Time Required: 5-7 hours
Section: Needles

This ranks among the geologically dazzling best hikes in Canyonlands National Park. There are multiple ways to hike the lovely, almost dreamlike Chesler Park area, including substantially shorter out-and-backs and loops.

This long walkabout gives you just about the best tour possible as you venture through the base of The Needles formations.

Chesler Park is a broad grassland basin edged by remarkable sandstone spires and pinnacles, part of the Cedar Mesa Sandstone formation.

Starting from the Elephant Hill Trailhead, the trail to Chesler Park leads through pinyon-juniper scrub, traverses the depths of Elephant Canyon, and serves up views westward toward the staggered drop-down country of the Grabens as well as the toothy Needles.

What’s more is that after basking in the vantage of the Chesler Park Viewpoint, you’ll make your way through the Cedar Mesa Sandstone that narrows to only about two feet across.

1. Grand View Point

A trail weaves down a rust colored mountain in Canyonlands National Park.

Distance: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 73 feet
Time Required: 1 – 2 hours
Section:

Finally, we reach the Grand View Point of Canyonlands. The Great Island in the Sky mesa peters out at its south end to the ridiculously scenic peninsula of Grand View Point overlooking the Green/Colorado confluence.

Canyonlands National Park Map

2 trails mapped — click a pin to learn more

Attraction Trail Viewpoint

Canyonlands National Park at a Glance

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Trip-planning tips for 2026

Location

Utah

Established

1964

Size

337,598 acres

Annual Visitors

911,594

Entrance Fee

$35 per vehicle (or $80 annual pass)

Best Time to Visit

April - May, September - October

Monthly Crowds (based on NPS visitor data)

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This is the culmination of the Island in the Sky District scenery, and the easy walk hitting up two different viewpoints, one of the shortest best hikes in Canyonlands National Park, is accessible to a broad spectrum of park visitors.

To begin with, a short paved path accesses the first viewpoint, and then the trail descends to bare sandstone to reach a second vantage.

Subsequently, the far-reaching vistas sweep from the White Rim, the garden of spires called Monument Basin, and the deep cuts rivers far beyond the Needles and the Maze.

Peeping through the view of a natural arch looking out from the trail at Canyonlands National Park. — Colorful sunrise in Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah. (Shutterstock-Edwin Verin)

Grand View Point
Chesler Park/Joint Trail Loop
Mesa Arch
Salt Creek Canyon Trail
The Chocolate Drops
Druid Arch
Aztec Butte
Upheaval Dome Overlooks
White Rim Overlook Trail
Whale Rock
Slickrock Foot Trail
Gooseberry Trail

Aztec Butte View best hikes in Canyonlands National Park — The view from Aztec Butte in Canyonlands National Park. (Shutterstock/jshphoto)

Aztec Butte Canyonlands National Park — Native ruins are among the highest of Aztec Butte, one of the best hikes in Canyonlands National Park. (Shutterstock/Rudy Balasko)

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Frequently Asked Questions About Canyonlands National Park

When is the best time to visit Canyonlands?

The best time to visit Canyonlands National Park is April through May, September through October. Conditions vary significantly by season, so plan accordingly and check current conditions before your trip.

How much does it cost to enter Canyonlands National Park?

The entrance fee for Canyonlands National Park is $30 per vehicle (valid for 7 days). An America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers entrance to all 63 national parks and 2,000+ federal recreation sites.

What is Canyonlands known for?

Canyonlands National Park is known for Mesa Arch sunrise, Island in the Sky, The Needles, and White Rim Trail. The park spans 337,598 acres and was established in 1964.

What are the best things to do at Canyonlands National Park?

The top activities at Canyonlands include Hiking, Four-wheeling, Mountain biking, Backpacking, and Photography. Check our Canyonlands guide for detailed recommendations.