The Island in the Sky at Canyonlands National Park sits high on a 1500-foot mesa, and the name really fits; it is fantastic to see.
We spent part of a day at Canyonlands National Park, which allowed us to have lunch in Moab and check out other unique areas nearby.
Before the Park
On the right, you can stop at the Intestine Man Petroglyph before entering the park. This stop is before you do the switchback up into the canyon.
You can spot petroglyphs of animals, a star, and what seems like a man’s intestine, but it’s actually a snake inside a man. If you like petroglyphs, it’s a good stop. Since it’s before the toll station, you could visit on your way back if the entrance line looks long.
Next, you’ll see the turnoff for Dead Horse Point State Park. If you want more canyon views and hiking, you can check it out. Admission is $20.
Visitor Center Stop
The Visitor Center is open year-round, seven days a week, though some days are closed in winter. Hours vary by season.
Features include: exhibits, book and map sales, backcountry permits, picnic area, general information, wireless internet, and park rangers on duty. You can also watch a park orientation video. Restrooms and water are available at the visitor center year-round.
Across the road from the visitor, you can take in the canyon views. You can even see a steep gravel road that leads up out of the canyon.
Address: Island in the Sky Visitor Center, Grand View Point Rd, Moab, UT 84532
MESA ARCH TRAIL
Mesa Arch sits right at the edge of the mesa and is 27 feet long. It frames views of the canyon below and the La Sal Mountains in the distance. The loop hike has a bit more elevation at the start if you go counter-clockwise. If you want fewer stairs, walk clockwise to the arch and then head back the same way.
The 0.7-mile loop hike on a natural surface trail has 56 feet of elevation gain with some stairs.
Start of the Hike
Near the trailhead is an information board on the hike and an arch. At the start of the loop, we headed to the right.
Along the walk, we came across a cactus.
As you walk, you can see the Colorado River canyon in the distance.
Rock stacks help guide you as you walk along the stone canyon.
Mesa Arch Stop
At 0.3 miles, you reach a short out-and-back trail to Mesa Arch. Be careful around the arch because it’s right by a cliff. We enjoyed the different views, and my son climbed above it to sit on the cliff and look out.
Since we visited in the morning, it wasn’t crowded yet.
Heading Back
Next, we walked the other side of the loop. We found information about the Littleleaf Mountain Mahogany plant, whose branches Native Americans used to make tools. Then we were back at the start of the loop.
Final Thoughts
This was an easy hike with a great canyon view and an arch. It was definitely worth the stop and became one of my favorite hikes.
Address: Mesa Arch, Utah 84532
ORANGE CLIFFS OVERLOOK
Next, we stopped at the short pullout for the Orange Cliffs Overlook.
This short walk takes you to cliffside views. If you have kids with you, keep them close because there’s a sudden drop to the Green River valley below.
Address: Orange Cliffs Overlook, Moab, UT 84532
GRANDVIEW POINT OVERLOOK TRAIL
Grand View Point is at the southern end of the Island in the Sky scenic drive. From here, you can see miles of canyons, the White Rim four-wheel-drive road, features in The Maze and The Needles, and mountains in the distance.
A short, paved sidewalk leads to a spectacular viewpoint. From there, you can hike an additional mile to a second viewpoint. Along the walk, there is a sign that explains the view. Another talks about how the canyon was formed.
If you did the whole trail, it is 1.8 miles out and back with 73 feet of elevation gain.
Short Hike
We walked a short way down this trail near the rim, so watch your step as you go.
You can see how the Colorado River carved its way through the canyons.
Nearby are eroded canyons with mountains in the distance.
Final Thoughts
If you have the time, it is worth exploring, even if you don’t do the full hike.
Address: Grand View Point Overlook, Moab, UT 84532
BUCK CANYON OVERLOOK
We stopped at Buck Canyon Overlook on the way back, just right off the road. From the view, you can see the Colorado River Canyon and a better view of the La Sal Mountains.
Address: Buck Canyon Overlook, Moab, UT 84532
DETAILS
Canyonlands is split into four districts by the Green and Colorado rivers. You can enjoy broad overlooks at Island in the Sky, hike the trails in The Needles, explore the remote Maze, or even float down the rivers. There’s a lot to see, and we only visited Island in the Sky.
I hiked and camped in the Needles area, which is south of Moab, Utah, when I was in college. It is is quite remote, so if you do venture further be prepared to be out on your own.
You could easily spend several days exploring the whole park. Check the website for more information on all that you can see and do.
Admission: $30 Per Vehicle; Annual Pass $55; America the Beautiful Pass (Includes Senior Passes) FREE-$80
Open Times
The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, but some facilities may close during the winter season.
Weather
In summer, temperatures often go over 100ºF (37ºC), so strenuous activity can be tough. Late summer storms can bring heavy rain and sometimes cause flash floods.
Winters are cold, with highs between 30º and 50ºF and lows from 0º to 20ºF. Big snowfalls are rare except in the mountains, but even a little snow or ice can make trails and roads hard to use.
Directions
Canyonlands National Park is divided into three main areas by the Green and Colorado rivers. Island in the Sky is in the north and about 40 minutes from Moab on UT 313. That’s the area we explored.
The Needles district is in the southeast corner of Canyonlands, about 90 minutes from Moab or an hour from Monticello, UT via UT 211. The Maze district, in the west of the park, is the most remote and challenging; its ranger station is 46 miles down a dirt road from UT 24. All roads in The Maze require high-clearance 4WD.
AFTER CANYONLANDS ACTIVITIES
Moab Food Truck Park
Lunch was tacos, quesadillas, and ice cream at the Moab Food Truck Park.
The quesadillas were from Quesadilla Mobilla, just outside the food truck park, but well worth the short walk.
Food Truck Park Hours: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., Daily
Moab Food Truck Park Address: 39 W 100 N, Moab, UT 84532
Utah State Route 279 / Potash Road Scenic Drive
That afternoon, we saw towering sandstone cliffs, rock climbing spots, petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks, arches, and great views of the Colorado River along the Potash Road Scenic Drive.
Find Utah State Route 279 four miles north of Moab, off of Highway 191. The first leg of the journey will take you past the Moab uranium tailings pile that is currently being relocated.
Wall Street
Soon after this, you’ll enter a narrow gorge of the Colorado River where sandstone cliffs tower above the water.
After a couple of miles, you will come to a section called “Wall Street.” This canyon country area of eastern Utah is popular with rock climbers and requires little to no approach. You can just pull your car over and begin scaling the technical climbing routes right off the road. If driving through, use caution, as this congested stretch of road sees heavy visitor traffic.
Petroglyphs
Beyond the climbing wall, about five miles from the 191 junction, there are several petroglyph panels on your right. Parking at marked pullouts is provided, so you can get out of your car and see them up close. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) has posted interpretive signs that offer more information about the rock art as well. You have to look a bit a ways up to see them, but this was the largest area of petroglyphs I have seen. There were so many different figures carved into the dark rock.
A nearby sign provided more information on the artwork.
When we visited in the late afternoon, the sun was setting and the white cliffs reflected in the Colorado River.
Address: Roadside Petroglyphs, Moab, UT 84532
Dinosaur Tracks
At the Poison Spider Trailhead, you can read about the dinosaur tracks.
We followed the start of the trail and came to where the trail goes to the left. Then you continue onto the dinosaur tracks.
The hike to the dinosaur tracks is tough, so I wouldn’t recommend it. I hike a lot and still found it challenging to locate them, even with the sign.
My advice is just to read the sign and know they are here.
Address: Poison Spider Trailhead Rte, Moab, UT 84532
Jug Handle Arch
The final sight worth noting along the Potash Road is Jug Handle Arch. At 13.5 miles from 191, park at the turn-off, which also serves as the entrance to Longs Canyon. A short walk back will lead you to the arch’s base.
This is our last stop before heading back.
Address: Jug Handle Arch Long Canyon Rd, Moab, UT 84532
Final Thoughts
The petroglyphs made the drive worthwhile, but we probably could have ended the scenic drive there. The dinosaur tracks were hard to find, and Jug Handle Arch was still a bit farther away.
Dinner: Proper Brewing and Burger Co.
Walkable from the hotel was Proper Brewing and Burger Co., where we had drinks and burgers. It was a good meal without having to head into Moab.
Address: 1393 N Hwy 191, Moab, UT 84532
MORE NATIONAL PARKS TRIPS
One Day at Arches National Park
Arches National Park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks.
One Day at Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park features a canyon wall that resembles the U.S. Capitol, along with historic sites and home-made apple pie, and is located in Utah’s south-central desert.
North Cascades National Park: First Day
On the first day at North Cascades National Park, we crossed two swinging bridges to a waterfall and walked among towering red cedars.
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK: SECOND-DAY ADVENTURE
Turquoise-colored lakes, awe-inspiring mountain views, and high cascading waterfalls are what you will find at North Cascades National Park. Our family did a trip to the Pacific Northwest seeing Seattle, Portland, North Cascades National Park, the Columbia Gorge, and sites in between.
