The trail to Mesa Arch is an easy half-mile (0.8 km) round trip over dirt and slickrock. The views at Mesa Arch, and the arch itself, are fantastic at sunrise. And this is a sentiment shared by many because the parking lot begins to fill up while it’s still dark outside. Get started early to make sure you get a spot!

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The trail to the first viewpoint of Upheaval Dome is 0.3 miles (482 m). It is a steep hike, climbing 118 ft (36 m) quickly. From there you can walk another 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to the second, even better overlook. Round trip distance to both overlooks is 1.6 miles (2.5 km) and a total elvation change of 168 ft (51 m)

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Image: Kent G. Budge, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Grand View Point Trail is a 2 mile (3.2 km) out-and-back hike on the southwest side of the Island in the Sky. This hike is rated as easy and has an elevation change of 160 ft (48.7 m).

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Image: Cedric Gouyvenoux, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Whale Rock Trail is a 1 mile (1.5 km) out-and-back hike in between Upheaval Dome and Aztec Butte. This hike is rated as moderate and has an elevation change of 131 ft (40 m).

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Buck Canyon Overlook offers an amazing canyon view of the gorgeous geological layers in Canyonlands and the beautiful mountains in the distance.

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Image: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

At the White Rim Overlook, you can hike a relatively flat and 1.8 mile round trip trail and see a stunning 360 degree view of the canyon. But if you're not feeling up to it, there's also an overlook that requires just a short walk from the parking lot. From this overlook, you can see the handiwork of the Colorado river carving out the landscape.

Image: Anusia1984, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

From this overlook, you can see the orange cliff section of Glen canyon recreational area which borders Canyonlands. You can also see the maze district, the most remote part of the park.

Image: Nikater, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The next stop is another iconic formation in the park called the candlestick tower. The name comes from its shape, which resembles a melting candlestick. This 450 foot tower is a popular rock climbing spot. If you visit during fall or winter, you might be able to catch a glimpse of a brave soul or two making their way up the tower.

Image: NPS Natural Resources, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This overlook offers yet another breathtaking view of the canyon over a thousand feet below the road, carved out by the peaceful yet powerful Green River. The river shaped much of the landscape in this part of the country, originating from Wyoming on the left side of the continental divide.

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Image: Julianibarra, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dead Horse Point State Park lies just off the road to Canyonlands, rests on the same mesa as Island in the Sky, but offers a wholly unique view. Learn about the history, ancient and modern, of this popular state park and scenic overlook.

Image: FF23-fr, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

At the visitor center, you can shop the bookstore, use the restroom, check out the interpretive displays, talk to a ranger, and get your backcountry permits.

Image: NPS

This site features petroglyphs and pictographs created by at least 3 different groups of ancient inhabitants of this land. So, who were these people?

The earliest of group was the nomadic, hunter-gatherer Paleo Indians. Their arts are often life-sized figures with big, square or oblong bodies. The Intestine Man, the petroglyph this site is named after, is a well-preserved example.

Here's how to find the pictographs, they're sometimes a bit tricky to find. Just after you park, follow the dirt path down. Then, to your left and kind of high up, is a small collection of art, which is sometimes difficult to see. The bigger, more visible art is to your right.

Welcome back! There is a stop coming up really quickly on your left. It’s Shafer Canyon Overlook and the difficult, 6-mile Neck Spring Trail. At this overlook you can look down into that Shafer Canyon that I talked about earlier. But there is another viewpoint just 1 minute down the road that has better views than this one. So I’d recommend skipping this stop, and let’s go to the next. But if you’d like to go anyways, follow the sign and take your first left. 

DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Our next stop at the Aztec Butte Trail is coming up quickly on your right. 

If you are feeling up to it, this is a 1.7 mile round trip hike that will take you to some Ancestral Puebloan’s stone granary structures, with amazing views. 

The granary was built roughly 800 years ago, around 1200 AD. And no, yes, the Puebloans are not Aztecs. The name comes from the Butte’s resemblance to the Pyramid of the Sun, a man-made structure built by the Aztecs in Mexico. 

The trailhead is on your right, if you are interested.

Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

We are just passing the trailhead to Alcove Spring on your left. This is a rough, 12-mile round-trip hike with a steep descent into the canyon, where you will find two 500-ft rock towers, named Moses and Zeus. If you want to try out this remote trail, I’d suggest you come back again another day. With good preparation and ample time, you can really make a day out of it.

Kent G. Budge, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons