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If you only have one day in Canyonlands National Park, you’ll want to make the most of it! With short hikes, dramatic overlooks, and views that rival the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands is an unforgettable stop on any Utah road trip.
My boyfriend Tim and I visited Canyonlands as part of a larger Southwest U.S. road trip that included Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Monument Valley, and more.
We went in early November, which was perfect—crisp mornings, sunny afternoons, and far fewer crowds than spring or summer. It was the perfect balance of hiking, photo stops (you know I can’t resist those!), and enjoying the peace and quiet of the desert.
Since we only had a day, we focused on the Island in the Sky district—the most accessible (and popular) part of the park. From sunrise at Mesa Arch to panoramic canyon overlooks like Green River Overlook and short hikes like the White Rim Overlook Trail, we managed to see some of the best of Canyonlands in a single day.
In this guide, I’ll share our full Canyonlands one day itinerary, complete with practical tips, maps, and highlights you shouldn’t miss.
Whether you’re visiting from Moab just for the day or road tripping through Utah’s Mighty Five like we did, I hope this itinerary will help you make the most of your time in Canyonlands National Park!
Canyonlands National Park Overview
Canyonlands is Utah’s largest national park, protecting more than 300,000 acres of dramatic desert landscape carved by the Green and Colorado Rivers.
Despite its size, it’s often overshadowed by its neighbors—Arches, Zion, and Bryce Canyon—but trust me, Canyonlands is every bit as impressive.
The park is divided into four distinct districts, each offering a different kind of adventure:
- Island in the Sky: The most accessible (and popular) district. Perched atop a massive mesa 1,000 feet above the canyon floor, this area is packed with overlooks, short hikes, and a scenic drive. It’s the best choice if you only have one day in Canyonlands.
- The Needles: A backcountry playground of colorful rock spires, perfect for hikers and 4WD explorers.
- The Maze: One of the most remote areas in the entire U.S. National Park System, requiring serious time, planning, and self-reliance.
- The Rivers: Where the Colorado and Green Rivers cut through the landscape, offering opportunities for both flatwater and whitewater trips in Cataract Canyon.
Since the districts are not connected by roads, most visitors (like us!) stick to just one per trip.
If you’re short on time, Island in the Sky is your best bet—you’ll find more than enough to fill a one-day itinerary.
Canyonlands National Park Entrance Fee
Entry fees vary depending on vehicle type and pass duration. The cost at the time of our visit was $30 for private vehicles and was valid for 7 days.
Check out the NPS website for more information.
A Broad Recommendation: If you’re visiting multiple national parks, skip individual entry fees and grab the America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year). It pays for itself in just three park visits.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands
Canyonlands is open year-round, but spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are the best seasons to visit for a one-day itinerary.
Expect crisp mornings (30–50°F) and pleasant afternoons (60–80°F)—perfect hiking weather!
We visited in early November and had an amazing experience. We started the day bundled in puffer jackets, but by mid-afternoon, Tim was down to a short sleeve shirt and I was in a tank top. It wasn’t crowded either!
Here’s what to expect in each season:
- Spring & Fall: Mild temps, great hiking conditions, busiest times of year.
- Summer (June–Aug): Very hot (100°F+). Risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Not ideal for hiking.
- Winter (Nov–Feb): Cold, with occasional snow and icy trails, but far fewer visitors.
Current conditions for Canyonlands National Park can be found here.
The Island in the Sky Visitor Center is open year-round (closed only on Christmas Day). Hours vary by season, and you’ll find maps, exhibits, restrooms, potable water, and picnic tables here.
A Broad Recommendation: Always bring layers. Canyonlands weather can swing dramatically in a single day—sun, wind, and even snow aren’t out of the question.
Getting to Canyonlands National Park
We visited Canyonlands National Park as a part of a larger U.S. Southwest road trip, starting from Las Vegas and visiting Zion, Bryce Canyon, Escalante, Capitol Reef and Arches on the way.
The Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands is the most accessible and the one you’ll want to focus on if you only have one day here.
- From Moab: It’s about a 35–40 minute drive (34 miles). Take US-191 N for 11 miles, then turn left onto UT-313 W. Continue for about 22 miles until you reach the Island in the Sky entrance.
- From Arches National Park: The drive is about 45 minutes (the two parks pair well together for a longer trip).
- From Salt Lake City: Canyonlands is about a 4-hour drive south.
We rented an SUV from Fox Rent A Car in Las Vegas and had a great experience. We booked through Expedia.
A Broad Recommendation: Cell service is very limited in the park. Be sure to download Google offline maps before your visit, carry plenty of water and warm clothes, and have a full tank of gas before you leave Moab.
Canyonlands One Day Itinerary At-a-Glance
If you only have one day in Canyonlands, the Island in the Sky district is the place to spend it (this is exactly what we did!).
Here’s my step-by-step Canyonlands National Park one day itinerary, starting with sunrise at Mesa Arch and working your way back to the Visitor Center along Grand View Point Road:
- Sunrise hike to Mesa Arch (0.5-mile hike, iconic photo spot)
- Drive to Grand View Point (2-mile hike, sweeping canyon views)
- Hike to White Rim Overlook (1.8 miles, less crowded)
- Stop at Buck Canyon Overlook (roadside viewpoint)
- Stop at Green River Overlook (panoramic views of the river and Soda Springs Basin)
- Hike to Upheaval Dome (1–2 miles, fascinating geology)
- Stop at Shafer Canyon Viewpoint (switchbacks + dramatic drop-offs)
- Wrap up at the Visitor Center Viewpoint before heading onwards to Monument Valley
This one day itinerary lets you see the best of Canyonlands without feeling rushed.
Canyonlands National Park One Day ItineraryÂ
Now let’s dive into the details for each stop!
With this itinerary, you’ll see the best of Canyonlands National Park in one day—from sunrise at Mesa Arch to unique geology at Upheaval Dome and sweeping canyon views that stretch for miles.
Stop 1: Sunrise at Mesa Arch
- Distance: 0.5 miles round-trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 30–45 minutes + extra time for photos!
We started our day at Mesa Arch, Canyonlands’ most iconic spot and one of the best places in the park to watch the sunrise.
A short trail leads you to a cliff-edge arch with incredible views of the canyon below and the La Sal Mountains in the distance—the same mountain range we saw from Arches National Park the day before!
At sunrise, the underside of the arch glows fiery orange as the sun peeks over the horizon—it’s one of the most photographed scenes in Utah and one of those moments that feels unreal, even with a crowd around you.
Yes, it’s crowded and you’ll need to hike in the dark with photographers vying for space, but trust me—it’s worth it.
A Broad Recommendation: Bring a headlamp, factor in driving time from Moab if that’s where you’re staying (about 40 minutes), and give yourself extra time if you’re a photo person like me. If you don’t want to brave the crowds right at sunrise, visit up to an hour after sunrise—you’ll still get gorgeous views and likely have them all to yourself.
Stop 2: Grand View Point Trail
- Distance: 2 miles round-trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 1–1.5 hours
From Mesa Arch, we drove to the end of Grand View Point Road for panoramic views of the White Rim, The Maze, and The Needles.
A short paved path takes you to the main overlook, but you can continue for another mile for even more expansive views.
We didn’t walk the entire way because we’d read that another trail offers similar views—more on that next!
Even without finishing the extension, this is one of the best places to truly appreciate the sheer scale of Canyonlands National Park.
Standing there, I couldn’t help but compare it to the wide-open views at Bryce Canyon and the towering cliffs at Zion—each park has its own personality, but Canyonlands is all about vast space and dramatic mesas.
While we were there, a ranger was giving a geology talk, which was such a fun bonus—I loved learning more about how these ancient canyons were formed. It really is so fascinating!
Stop 3: White Rim Overlook
- Distance: 1.8 miles round-trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 1–1.5 hours
If you’re looking for a quieter alternative to Grand View Point, this is the trail for you.
The White Rim Overlook Trail is relatively flat and offers equally stunning canyon views with fewer crowds.
Along the way, you’ll reach an east-facing overlook with views of the Colorado River, Monument Basin, and (again!) the La Sal Mountains.
We chose this over completing the Grand View Point hike and were so glad we did—it felt like we had the park to ourselves!
A Broad Recommendation: Parking is limited, since the lot is shared with Gooseberry Trail. Arrive early or aim for midday when there’s more turnover. This was one of our favorite stops of the day, so you definitely won’t want to miss it!
Stop 4: Buck Canyon Overlook
- Distance: 0.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy (accessible)
- Time: 5–10 minutes
Just two miles north of White Rim, Buck Canyon Overlook offers incredible views of deep canyons carved by the Colorado River.
This is one of those quick roadside stops that delivers huge views with almost no effort. Proof that not every jaw-dropping view requires a long hike.
We didn’t linger here long, but it’s absolutely worth pulling over for—just look at that view!
Stop 5: Green River Overlook
- Distance: 0.2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 15 minutes
Next up: the Green River Overlook is just under five miles north of Buck Canyon. If you only have time for one stop besides Mesa Arch, make it this one.
This is one of Canyonlands’ most famous viewpoints, and it’s easy to see why.
From here, you can spot the winding Green River (naturally!), Soda Springs Basin, and even into The Maze district.
Fun fact: The Green River is one of the rivers that helped carve the canyons at Canyonlands National Park!
We stopped here for a snack break, but I’ve heard that this is one of the most beautiful places in the park at sunset, when the cliffs glow golden.
A Broad Recommendation: If you’re not rushing off to your next stop like we were (we were heading to Monument Valley later that day!), sunset at Green River Overlook would be the perfect way to end your visit.
Stop 6: Upheaval Dome
- Distance: 1–2 miles round-trip (there are two overlooks)
- Difficulty: Moderate (short but steep)
- Time: 30–60 minutes
From Green River Overlook, we turned onto Upheaval Dome Road and followed that for 4.4 miles, where we started a totally different kind of hike.
A short, steep trail leads to the first overlook, which offers a clear view into Upheaval Dome, a massive crater-like feature unique to Canyonlands.
If you have time, continue another mile to the second overlook for a different angle.
We hiked to both overlooks and loved the unique views—it felt completely different from anything else we’d seen in any of the other Utah national parks!
Fun fact: Scientists debate whether Upheaval Dome was formed by a meteorite impact or a salt dome—which do you think it was?
A Broad Recommendation: Trails here are marked with cairns, but some require moderate trail finding. Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and snacks, especially if you’re visiting in summer, and check out my complete hiking packing list for more details.
Stop 7: Shafer Canyon Viewpoint
- Distance: Short walk from parking lot
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 10 minutes
On our way back toward the Visitor Center, we stopped at Shafer Canyon Viewpoint for a bird’s-eye view of the winding switchbacks of Shafer Canyon Road.
We watched jeeps and mountain bikes making their way down, and honestly, it looked terrifying—I’ll stick to the overlooks!
Stop 8: Visitor Center Viewpoint
- Distance: 0.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 10–15 minutes
We wrapped up our one day in Canyonlands at the Island in the Sky Visitor Center.
After checking out the exhibits and grabbing a souvenir (I collect ornaments from every place I visit!), we walked across the road to one final viewpoint.
This was a perfect spot to reflect on the day and say goodbye to Canyonlands.
A Broad Recommendation: There are no restaurants inside Canyonlands National Park, so bring along a cooler (this one fit in our checked bag!), pack a lunch, and have a picnic with a view. If you plan to head back to Moab, we had dinner at Moab Brewery (just okay) and Thai Bella Moab (so good!) the two nights prior.
Where to Stay Near Canyonlands
Most visitors base themselves in Moab, which offers a wide range of accommodations from budget motels to boutique lodges.
- MainStay Suites Moab: Affordable, clean, and includes breakfast.
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Moab: Mid-range, family-friendly, with a pool.
- Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton: A more upscale option with modern amenities.
Since we paired our visit to Canyonlands with a day in Arches National Park, we spent two nights at the MainStay Suites Moab near Arches National Park.
This hotel is nice and affordable, and breakfast is included. We spent around $270 total for two nights.
If you’d rather camp, the Willow Flat Campground inside Island in the Sky has 12 sites ($15 per night, first-come, first-served).
Keep in mind there’s no water at the campground, so you’ll need to bring your own.
What to Pack for One Day in Canyonlands
Even if you’re only visiting for a day, you’ll want to come prepared—Canyonlands is remote, with very few services inside the park.
Here are the essentials I recommend bringing:
- Plenty of water: At least 1 gallon per person per day (there’s refill water at the Visitor Center, but nowhere else).
- Snacks or a picnic: There are no restaurants inside the park. Bring snacks or pack a lunch from Moab.
- Layers: We started our November morning in puffer jackets and ended the day in tank tops and t-shirts. Desert weather swings fast!
- Sun protection: Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses are a must.
- Sturdy shoes: Even short hikes can be rocky or sandy.
- Camera gear: A wide-angle lens is perfect for those sweeping canyon views.
👉 Want to see everything I pack for national park hikes? Check out my full hiking packing list for my trail-tested gear and tips.
Tips for Visiting Canyonlands in One Day
Here are a few more handy tips to help you make the most of your visit:
- Arrive early: Sunrise at Mesa Arch is worth the early wake-up call (but even an hour later is beautiful if you don’t want the crowds).
- Know where restrooms are: You’ll find them at the Visitor Center and a few overlooks.
- Plan your route: The scenic drive has so many overlooks! Use my one-day itinerary to prioritize your stops and AllTrails to map your hiking routes.
- Be flexible with the weather: Fog, haze, or wind can roll in quickly, but every condition has its own kind of magic.
- Leave No Trace: Stay on marked trails, don’t climb arches or fragile rock, and always pack out your trash. Even food scraps can harm the desert ecosystem.
- Wildlife awareness: You may spot lizards, snakes, and desert rodents. Snakes (including rattlesnakes) tend to avoid humans, but watch your step, don’t reach blindly into rocks or brush, and never feed wildlife.
FAQ: Canyonlands One Day Itinerary
Is one day enough for Canyonlands?
Yes—if you focus on the Island in the Sky district, you can see the best overlooks and do a few short hikes in one day. Other districts like The Needles or The Maze require more time.
What is the best time of year to visit Canyonlands?
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are ideal, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer can be dangerously hot, while winter brings snow and icy conditions. (See Best Time to Visit Canyonlands for details.)
What are the must-see stops in Canyonlands in one day?
If you only have one day, make sure to visit Mesa Arch (sunrise), Grand View Point, Green River Overlook, and Upheaval Dome. These give you the best mix of classic views and unique landscapes.
How far is Canyonlands from Moab?
The Island in the Sky Visitor Center is about a 40-minute drive from Moab. (See Getting to Canyonlands section.)
Can you do Arches and Canyonlands in one day?
Technically yes, but you’ll only scratch the surface of both. If you try, visit Arches in the morning and Canyonlands in the afternoon.
Ideally, you’ll want to give each park at least a full day.
Do you need a reservation for Canyonlands?
No. Unlike Arches, Canyonlands doesn’t require timed-entry permits. You just need to pay the entry fee (or show your America the Beautiful Pass).
Final Thoughts on Our One Day in Canyonlands
Our one day in Canyonlands ended up being one of the most memorable stops on our entire Southwest road trip—and also one of the least crowded!
From sunrise at Mesa Arch to epic views at Green River Overlook, it was the perfect mix of short hikes, stunning viewpoints, and quiet desert beauty.
If you’re planning a Utah adventure, you can easily pair this Canyonlands itinerary with Arches National Park (just 30 minutes away) or make it part of a larger Mighty Five road trip.
No matter how you fit it into your plans, Canyonlands is absolutely worth a spot on your itinerary—you won’t regret it.
👉 Check out my full guide to the Utah Mighty Five national parks here!
Where to Next on Your Southwest Road Trip?
But wait, there’s more!
From Canyonlands, Tim and I continued our journey with a drive to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (just over 3 hours away)—and wow, it was one of the most unforgettable stops of the trip!
If you’re planning a similar trip, Monument Valley pairs perfectly with this Canyonlands one day itinerary. Start your day exploring Island in the Sky, then head south for a bucket-list sunset in Monument Valley.
We first spotted the towering buttes rising in the distance while driving, and we couldn’t resist pulling over to soak it all in. It felt like stepping right into a classic Western movie.
👉 If your road trip is taking you further, also check out my guides to Page, AZ, Valley of Fire State Park, and Las Vegas, NV—these all make incredible additions to a Utah, Arizona, and Nevada itinerary!
XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads
Sara is the founder of and voice behind Travel A-Broads, a travel blog designed to empower women to explore the world boldly and safely.
A Sr. Manager of a Data Engineering team (aka math nerd) by day and travel enthusiast by night, Sara shares practical tips, curated itineraries, and inspiring stories from her adventures across 5 continents and 28+ countries and helps curious, independent women plan smarter, travel farther, and feel more connected along the way.
Read more about Sara’s journey here, and start planning your next adventure today!
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