Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands Fast Facts

How big is Canyonlands National Park?

Canyonlands covers a total area of 337,598 acres or 528 square miles.

How many people visit Canyonlands National Park?

911,594 people visited Canyonlands in 2021. A table showing all years can be found at Canyonlands Visitation Stats.

When was Canyonlands National Park created?

Canyonlands was made a national park on September 12, 1964.

What are the highest and lowest elevations in Canyonlands National Park?

Canyonlands’ lowest point is 3,730 feet at the Colorado River. The highest point in Canyonlands is 7,120 feet at Cathedral Point.

What time zone is Canyonlands National Park located in?

Canyonlands is in the Mountain Time Zone.

How much does it cost to enter Canyonlands National Park?

$30 per private vehicle per week.

Five Random Facts About Canyonlands

one Two major rivers are responsible for carving the Canyonlands region, the Colorado and the Green. The two rivers merge within the park at a place known as the Confluence. A rather long hike leads to an overlook of the area.

two Canyonlands National Park contains some of the most remote land remaining in the continental United States. It is divided into three districts. While paved roads provide limited access to the Island in the Sky and Needles Districts, the Maze District is remote in the extreme, and special preparation is required for a visit.

three Island in the Sky is a large and level mesa. Access to it is provided by a narrow section of rock known as the Neck. Eventually, the Neck will erode away, leaving the mesa isolated completely.

four There are separate road entrances to both Needles and Island in the Sky. There are no roads connecting the two districts. A drive of several hours is needed to get between the two.

five There is actually a fourth district in Canyonlands, a detached area known as Horseshoe Canyon. This area is best known for its impressive Native American rock art.

Where is Canyonlands National Park?

Canyonlands National Park is located in a fairly remote area of southeastern Utah. There are three districts, Island in the Sky, Needles, and Maze, the first two of which see nearly all of the visitation. Access to the Island in the Sky District begins off of US191, very near the entrance to Arches National Park. The city of Moab is closest to Island in the Sky, while the towns of Blanding and Monticello are closer to the Needles. Further directions and maps can be found at Getting to Canyonlands.