Canyonlands National Park: Hikes in Island in the Sky

Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah, is geographically organized into three districts. One of the most iconic and popular districts is the Island in the Sky. There are many hiking trails to some beautiful overlooks. And almost every trail is great for kids and adults.

Here are four hiking trails you can explore in Island in the Sky during your visit to Canyonlands National Park.

And while you’re near Moab, you might as well explore Arches National Park, too.

Quick Hike to Mesa Arch

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park is something you’ve probably seen in photos. The glowing orange rock lit up by the rising sun. It’s a beautiful site for any hiker to see as they start their day.

However, if you decide to be at Mesa Arch for sunrise, you won’t be alone. It’s crowded, with rows of photographers standing shoulder to shoulder. Hopefully everyone will be courteous with each other. Check out my photo portfolio from Canyonlands National Park.

The trail is great for kids and adults. It’s relatively flat during the .75-mile loop trail. However, when you get to Mesa Arch, parents should note it’s a long way down if a kid falls over the edge. Be mindful of that.

And don’t forget to bring water with you. You don’t want anyone in your group to get dehydrated while hiking across the rock trails in Canyonlands National Park.

I must note that people are also asked to not climb on Mesa Arch, but some people don’t listen. Please don’t be one of those people.

DISTANCE: 0.75 miles roundtrip
CATEGORY: Easy
ELEVATION CHANGE: 75 feet

White Rim Overlook Trail in Canyonlands National Park

The hike to the White Rim Overlook is less than two miles long. You’ll find fun rocks to climb around and some cactus to avoid.

Although the path begins along a dirt/gravel trail, it becomes a cairn-guided trek across large rocks. But my kids enjoyed playing on the rocks along the trail. They even found an alcove or two to climb into for a photo.

When you arrive at the overlook, you can see the cutout canyons of the Colorado River. It’s not quite like the Grand Canyon, but it’s interesting geology to look at. Once again, there are steep cliffs to be mindful of with your kids.

DISTANCE: 1.8 miles roundtrip
CATEGORY: Easy
ELEVATION CHANGE: 170 feet

Grand View Point Overlook Trail

The Grand View Point Overlook provides a slightly different view of the valley below the Island in the Sky. From the endpoint of the trail, you can see roughly 300-degrees of canyons and rocks below.

The trail is two miles long, but it’s relatively flat – much flatter than the White Rim Overlook Trail. Once again, be mindful of the cliffs at the overlook.

DISTANCE: 2 miles roundtrip
CATEGORY: Easy
ELEVATION CHANGE: 70 feet

Upheaval Dome and Syncline Loop Trails

My son and I stumbled upon the Syncline Trail Loop. We had started our day at Mesa Arch to photograph sunrise, and then made our way to Upheaval Dome. We saw a trail and just started hiking.

The terrain is mixed. At times you’re walking on packed dirt. Other times you’re climbing up rocks, following the cairns.

The trail makes a loop around a large crater-like geologic formation. You can hike the loop trail in either direction. We started heading east from Upheaval Dome. We didn’t attempt to hike the full 8-mile loop, which is listed as strenuous.

So if you want to take a shorter trail, and still see some pretty amazing formations, take the 1.7-mile Upheaval Dome Trail. If you’re up for a full-day adventure, give Syncline Trail a go. But it’s strong recommended to avoid this hike in July and August due to high temperatures. And you better have enough water for you and those in your group.

DISTANCE: 8 miles roundtrip (Upheaval Dome is 1.7 miles roundtrip)
CATEGORY: Strenuous (Moderate)
ELEVATION CHANGE: 1500 feet (200 feet)

The Details

Address: 2282 Resource Blvd., Moab, UT 84532

Cost: A recreational use pass is required when entering Canyonlands National Park. It’s $30 for a private vehicle, $25 for a motorcyle or $15 per person (which is usually for bicyclists, and those entering without a car). The pass is valid in the park for 7 days. But I would highly recommend buying an annual pass so you can visit all of the national parks throughout the country for free.

Hours: Although Canyonlands National Park is open year round, each of the districts have Visitor Centers with seasonal hours. In the Island in the Sky, the Visitor Center is open daily from March through December. Between December and March, it’s only open Friday through Tuesday. The hours vary by season.

Website: https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm

Phone: (435) 719-2313

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