Best Hikes in Canyonlands National Park

Mesa Arch

Mesa Arch is one of the most famous sights in Canyonlands! The hike is an easy 0.5-mile loop. It leads you to a beautiful stone arch sitting right on the edge of a cliff. Early in the morning, the sunrise shines through the arch and lights up the canyon below. It’s a short, easy walk, but stay back from the edge — there are no railings!

• Distance/Time: 0.6 mi round trip, 30 min
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
• Parking & Trailhead Directions 

Grand View Point Hike

A short stroll from the parking lot will take you to Grand View Point overlook. The Grand View Point Trail is a 2-mile round trip hike that’s pretty flat and easy. It follows the edge of the canyon with amazing views the whole way. At the end, you’ll feel like you’re standing on the edge of the world, looking out over the canyons and rivers below. Bring water — there’s no shade out there!

• Distance/Time: 1.8 mi round trip, 1.5 hrs
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
• Parking & Trailhead Directions

Green River Overlook

The "hike" from the parking lot to the Green River Overlook is hardly a hike - more of a stroll over paved walkway. But the view of one of the West's largest rivers carving through the soft sandstones makes it worth getting out of the car!

• Distance/Time: 0.2 mi round trip, 10 min
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
• Parking & Trailhead Directions
  

Upheaval Dome

The hike to Upheaval Dome is a short, exciting trail in the Island in the Sky part of Canyonlands. It's about 1 mile round trip to the first viewpoint, with an option to hike a little farther to a second one. Scientists think was made by either a meteor crash or a collapsed salt dome.

• Distance/Time: 0.6 mi round trip, 60 min
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
• Parking & Trailhead Directions
  

Whale Rock

The Whale Rock Trail in Canyonlands is a fun, short hike that's great for families. It’s about 0.8 miles round trip and climbs up a big, smooth rock that looks like a whale. The trail starts flat, then you walk up the rock using a few railings for help. At the top, you’ll get awesome views of the park. It’s an easy hike, but be careful—the rock can get hot and slippery, and there’s not much shade.

• Distance/Time: 0.8 mi round trip, 60 min
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
• Parking & Trailhead Directions
  

Indian Creek Falls

Accessible only by raft, this narrow canyon features an easy walk through a sandy wash lined with cottonwoods and sheer sandstone walls. Hikers may encounter shallow pools, spring water, and rich desert plant life. While there’s no formal trail, the hike is relatively easy and offers a peaceful escape from the river’s edge. Note that water runoff (waterfall) only occurs in springtime, not year-round. Due to its remoteness, it's an excellent place for quiet exploration and photography.

• Distance/Time: 1.5 mi round trip, 60 min
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Whenever the rafts arrive!
• Accessible by Cataract Canyon 4-Day Rafting Trip

Lathrop Canyon Granaries

Lathrop Canyon is a remote and scenic hike located in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands, but only accessible only by boat via the Colorado River. From the riverbank, the trail climbs gradually through slickrock benches and desert vegetation, offering wide views of the surrounding canyons. The shorter hikes from the river are popular and more manageable than any hikes from the rim. It's a fantastic side trip for those seeking solitude, geology, and classic Canyonlands scenery.

• Distance/Time: 1.3 mi round trip, 45 min
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Whenever the rafts arrive!
• Accessible by Cataract Canyon 4-Day Rafting Trip

Cataract Canyon Loop Hike

The Loop is a dramatic bend in the Colorado River within Cataract Canyon, and it's home to one of the more iconic short hikes for rafters. The hike is moderately challenging, with steep sections and no shade. It's about 1.5 miles round trip and is often completed in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.



• Distance/Time: 2 mi total, 45 min
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Whenever the rafts arrive!
• Accessible by Cataract Canyon 4-Day Rafting Trip

The Confluence

The Confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers is a place of solemn power, where two mighty waterways silently become one before plunging over the head of Cataract Canyon into the rapids known as "The Big Drops".

There is no particular hike per se, but there is a lot involved in experiencing this very interesting place.

The Doll's House

This strenuous hike is most easily accessible by hiking from the river to the rim of the canyon. A 1000 foot elevation gain/loss in 2.5 miles leads way to beautiful spires, tight slot canyons, and incredible river views.

You can also access the Maze District via 4x4 road. Most overland treks into this area are no less than three days in length.

• Distance/Time: 5 mi total, 3 hrs
• Difficulty: Strenuous/Difficult
• Best Time: Late afternoon, available from specific river camps
• Accessible by Cataract Canyon 4-Day Rafting Trip
  

Cave Springs

This easy to moderate trail climbs two ladders to prehistoric petroglyphs and cowboy camp ruins.

• Distance/Time: .6 mi round trip, 40 min
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time: Any time of day
• Parking & Trailhead Directions
  

Pothole Point

This easy to moderate slickrock trail leads hikers to impeccable views of The Needles and diverse pothole communities.

• Distance/Time: .6 mi round trip, 40 min
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time: Any time of day
• Parking & Trailhead Directions

Chesler Park Viewpoint Trail

This strenuous hike includes contrasting views of vivid sandstone spires and grassy desert landscape and has you navigating a maze-like slot canyon. The trailhead begins in the Elephant Hill trailhead area. More maps may be necessary.

• Distance/Time: 5.8 mi round trip, 3-4 hrs
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
• Parking & Trailhead Directions

Druid Arch

The hike to Druid Arch is one of the most rewarding adventures in the Needles District. This strenuous 10.8-mile roundtrip trail winds through Elephant Canyon before climbing steeply to a towering stone arch that resembles a natural cathedral. The final scramble requires some effort, but the reward is a jaw-dropping view of one of Canyonlands’ most iconic formations—massive, sculpted, and unlike any other arch in the park. The trailhead begins in the Elephant Hill trailhead area. More maps may be necessary.

• Distance/Time: 10.8 mi round trip, 5-7 hrs
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
• Parking & Trailhead Directions

The Doll's House

This area is most easily accessible by hiking from the river to the rim of the canyon. Access via the 4WD route may require backpacking supplies if roads are impassable.

• Distance/Time: 7 mi round trip, 4-5 hrs
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Best Time: Morning or late afternoon
• Check current 4WD road conditions
  

Great Gallery in Horseshoe Canyon

This strenuous trail takes a deep descent to the bottom of a canyon where you will find a panel with impressive rock art and intricate designs. Trail leads back up the steep climb to the top of the canyon.

• Distance/Time: 7 mi round trip, 4-5 hrs
• Difficulty: Very Strenuous
• Best Time: Morning or late afternoon (Imperative to avoid the heat)
• Check current 4WD road conditions