(click map to open very large locator map - this section is red)
0.0
Park Entrance
18.9 miles from US-191 via UT-313, north of Moab, is the entrance sign welcoming you to the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park.
1.1
Entrance Station
The road passes through the entrance station here. The park entrance fee must be paid or a valid pass shown.
1.3
Shafer Trail Road
The Shafer Trail Road goes off to the left. This is a rough, narrow, steep, high clearance four wheel drive road with sharp dropoffs. You can see the road dropping down into the canyons in the pictures of Shafer Canyon Viewpoint and Shafer Trail Viewpoint at miles 2.8 and 3.1 below.
2.3
Island in the Sky Visitor Center
The road passes by the Island in the Sky Visitor Center. This facility provides water via a vending machine, restrooms, information, displays, and backcountry planning and permits.
2.8
Shafer Canyon Viewpoint
The road goes by parking for the Shafer Canyon Viewpoint and the Neck Spring Trailhead. The Shafer Trail Road is the light band that can be seen crossing the canyon floor.
3.0
The Neck
The road crosses a narrow strip of land known as "The Neck". This small bridge of stone is all that connects the "Island" of Island in the Sky to the rest of the land. It continues to erode, and one day all connection will be removed and the island will become a mesa.
3.1
Shafer Trail Viewpoint
The Shafer Trail Viewpoint is on the left. From here you can see the Shafer Trail making its way down its narrow and rough path to the canyon below. In summer you may see vehicles creeping down the road as at left.
4.3
Lathrop Trailhead
The road passes by the Lathrop Trailhead.
8.4
Mesa Arch Trailhead
Parking for the Mesa Arch Trailhead is on the left. This short and mostly easy trail leads to Mesa Arch, probably the most easily accessed arch in the park.
8.7
Spur Road
A paved road heads off to the left. This road leads to several things, including the Willow Flat Campground (shown to the right), the Green River Overlook, the Whale Rock Hike, and Upheaval Dome.
11.1
Murphy Point Trailhead
The road passes by the Murphy Trailhead.
11.8
Buck Canyon Overlook
The road goes by the Buck Canyon Overlook, one of the more impressive panoramas in the park.
13.7
White Rim Overlook Trailhead
The road passes by the White Rim Overlook Trailhead and a picnic area.
14.4
Grandview Point Overlook
Just before the end of the road is the Grandview Point Overlook. This is perhaps the best vista in the park, bested only by continuing to the road's end and actually walking along the Grandview Trail itself.
14.6
Grandview Point
The road ends near Grandview Point itself. The Grandview Trail begins here.
