Part of the Colorado Plateau, a vast swathe of landscape that projected the Rocky Mountains into the sky some 20 million years ago, the Canyonlands National Park is a dream hiking destination. It's no coincidence that hikers come from across the globe to stay in Canyonlands National Park Cabins. Here are some of the top hikes:
Visit a pueblo granary on the Roadside Ruin Trail, or take an hour long hike to a historic cowboy camp featuring petroglyphs at Cave Springs. Big Spring to Squaw Canyon is the classic Needles hike and takes 3-4 hours. Starting at Cathedral Butte, Salt Creek Canyon grows no less impressive as you discover archaeological sites and arches along the 22 mile route.
There are numerous hikes in this region of the park. Start your day with a sunrise trek to Mesa Arch, an arch of rock. Next, hike to Whale Rock for views of Upheaval Dome, a surreal rock formation. Syncline Loop lasts for eight miles and takes around six hours to complete, passing through boulder-littered canyons and jagged switchbacks on a thousand foot ascent.
Take a four wheel drive vehicle to the trail heads in The Maze, which are located about three miles to the south east of the Hans Flat Ranger Station. From there a sublime fifteen mile hike takes you to the spectacular Maze Overlook. The least accessible area of the park, it is also one of the most impressive, so it's a good idea to leave ample time for exploring.
Rivers rush through vast canyons and eagles soar in the air in Canyonlands National Park. Here's a bird's eye overview of the best outdoor adventures that Utah's most celebrated park has to offer:
Explore the confluence of these two rivers and the streams that wind through Horseshow and Salt Creek canyons. Look out for bighorn sheep and mule deer while osprey and eagles soar overhead. Cataract Canyon's fourteen miles of white water gushes with twenty foot high waves at peak flow, making it unsafe to canoe yet spellbinding to watch.
Hundreds of miles of roads open up vistas of red rock buttes, roaring rivers and plunging canyons. Explore the park from Canyonlands National Park cabins, with day trips to White Rim, Elephant Hill, Lavender Canyon and Horse Canyon, which are connected by an easily navigable road system.
Scenic drives unfold vistas from pinnacles a thousand foot in the air. Dramatic canyons, sweeping rivers and strange butte formations appear as you round each new bend. Don't miss Big Spring Canyon Overlook and the nearby Needles Visitor Center.
At Canyonlands National Park, you can peer into the depths of the universe, or at a prehistoric petroglyph. You will be inspired by both the majesty of the natural landscape and the scientific and artistic endeavours of man.
Thanks to low light pollution, galaxies and mirage-like vistas of the Milky Way can be seen twinkling as night descends. Ranger Programs take you into the inky depths of this International Dark Sky Park. Canyonlands is a gold tier Dark Sky Park, meaning you can see three times as many stars as in a city with the naked eye.
Take a peek at the prehistoric rock art that adorns the red rocks in the park. Ghostly images float on their surfaces, bringing you into close proximity with the gestures of ancient Native Americans. Archaeologists interpret the meaning of these images as maps, spiritual celebrations and calendars. See what your family make of them so many thousands of years later.
It isn't just wildlife that roams the parkland. Each year a different artist in residence captures the park's features anew and your family can meet them, ask them questions and be inspired to create your own art.
