A U.S. national park, Canyonlands National Park is situated near the town of Moab in southern Utah’s Canyonlands region. The Colorado and Green rivers, as well as their tributaries, have eroded the topography creating various canyons, mesas, and buttes, which are preserved in the park. President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill designating the park into law on September 12, 1964.
There are two major rivers, the Green and Colorado, carved two huge canyons onto the Colorado Plateau that are now part of Yellowstone National Park. Despite the fact that they are all located in the desert, each one keeps its own unique personality. The Colorado River and its tributaries sculpted Canyonlands, a vast wilderness that you are invited to explore. The Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves form four distinct sections of the park. Each of these locations has a similar feel to the desert but provides a unique set of things to view and activities to take part in.
Entrances and how to reach the Canyonlands National Park
By Car
Every area of the park has its own set of rules, and there are no bridges or roads that link them together.
- Island in the Sky may be reached by UT 313 from US 191 north of Moab.
- The Needles may be reached by UT 211 from US 191 south of Moab.
- The Maze can only be reached through dirt roads (graded dirt or high-clearance, four-wheel-drive). When it rains, these routes might become inaccessible.
Check the road conditions in the park.
By Plane
Most visitors to Canyonlands arrive by plane at the airports.
- Canyonlands Field (CNY) (16 miles from Moab)
- Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) (113 miles from Moab)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) (237 miles from Moab)
By Bus
Interstate 70 is a popular route for Greyhound buses, which make stops along the way at Colorado Springs and Green River, Utah. Between Moab and Salt Lake City, as well as Grand Junction, commercial vans/shuttles are available.
By Train
Grand Junction, Colorado, and Green River, Utah, are both stations on the Amtrak train. Between Grand Junction and Moab, commercial van services are available.
Public Transportation
Canyonlands does not have any public transportation.
Finding Your Way
Canyonlands can only be reached by driving. There are a variety of ways to explore the park after you’ve entered its boundaries. The Island in the Sky is the most easily accessible and quickest to see an area in the whole city, thanks to its central location. There are no other places that don’t need any kind of physical activity to experience the area’s attractions.
Vehicles that run on alternative fuels
What kind of vehicle do you intend to use for your trip to the park? Your efforts contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a decrease in petroleum usage. The Department of Energy’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator can help you plan your travel (search for zip code 84532).