Island in the Sky, Canyonlands: The Best Hikes & Viewpoints
Updated: Sep 2
Updated: September 2026
With so many big name national parks in the United States to check off the bucket list, Canyonlands National Park always seems to get pushed aside for places like Zion, Yosemite, and Yellowstone. But Canyonlands was actually one of the first national parks I ever visited, and after going back several times now, I still don’t understand why it doesn’t get more attention. It’s the largest national park in Utah, yet it’s the least visited of the Mighty 5.
Most of our visits have been spent exploring Island in the Sky, which is the district closest to Moab and the part of Canyonlands I’d recommend to anyone visiting for the first time. And unlike a lot of national parks where you have to hike miles to get to the good stuff, so much of Island in the Sky is surprisingly easy to see, with viewpoints and shorter trails spread throughout the district.
I’m glad you’re here because hopefully this guide convinces you to give Canyonlands a spot on your Utah itinerary. I’m sharing our favorite hikes and viewpoints in Island in the Sky, plus everything we’ve learned from visiting over the years.
So, here’s everything I think you should know before visiting Island in the Sky!
In This Island in the Sky Guide:
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The Quick Version: Visiting Island in the Sky
Here are some of the basics to know when planning your trip to Canyonlands:
Don’t Miss: Shafer Canyon Overlook, Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, and Green River Overlook. If you’re visiting for the first time, these are the places I’d prioritize before anything else.
How Much Time You Need: You can see a surprising amount in half a day, but I’d give yourself a full day if you want to hike and stop at most of the major viewpoints without rushing.
Getting There: Island in the Sky is about 40 minutes from Moab and the easiest district of Canyonlands to visit if you’re staying in Moab.
Where to Stay: Moab is the best base for visiting Island in the Sky. We’ve stayed at WorldMark Moab and Wolfe’s Hotel, and I’ll share more about both later in this guide.
Best Time to Go: Spring and fall would be my first choices for comfortable hiking weather, although we’ve enjoyed visiting in every season.
My Tip: If you’re already driving out to Island in the Sky, I’d add Dead Horse Point State Park to the same day since you’ll pass the turnoff along the way.
Canyonlands National Park is divided into three main land districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze, with the Green and Colorado Rivers separating them. There aren’t any roads within the park connecting the districts, so even though they may look close together on a map, visiting each one is basically its own trip.
Planning Your Visit to Island in the Sky
Before getting into the best viewpoints and hikes, there are a few logistics worth sorting out first.
Getting to Island in the Sky from Moab
There are actually two very different ways to get between Moab and Island in the Sky. The easiest route, and the one most people will take, is the paved drive along US-191 and UT-313. From downtown Moab, it takes about 40 minutes to reach the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, and the road is paved the entire way.
But if you have a capable vehicle and want to make the drive part of the adventure, you can also travel between Moab and Island in the Sky using Potash Road and Shafer Trail. This route takes you along the Colorado River before eventually reaching the dirt road and the famous Shafer Trail switchbacks that climb roughly 1,500 feet up to the top of the mesa. The entire route between the top of Shafer Trail and Moab is around 35 to 40 miles, but I'd recommend allowing at least three hours because of the slower road conditions and stops along the way.
This is definitely not a route I’d recommend taking in just any car. Shafer Trail and a portion of Potash Road are unpaved, conditions can change quickly, and a high-clearance AWD or 4WD vehicle is recommended. I’d also check your rental agreement first since many rental companies don’t allow their vehicles on unpaved roads.
If you want to experience Shafer Trail without worrying about driving it yourself, you can also book a guided 4WD tour through Canyonlands.
If you just want the easiest way into the park, stick with UT-313. But if you’re comfortable driving backcountry roads and have the right vehicle, I’d take Shafer Trail at least once just for the experience of driving those switchbacks.
How Much Time Do You Need in Island in the Sky?
I’d give yourself at least half a day for Island in the Sky. It may look fairly compact on a map, but you’ll probably stop much more often than you expect once you start driving between the overlooks and trailheads.
If you’re mainly interested in the viewpoints and a short hike or two, half a day should be plenty. I’d choose a full day if you really want to take your time or hike some of the longer trails.
One thing I wouldn’t do is try to visit Island in the Sky and another Canyonlands district on the same day. Canyonlands is huge, and the districts aren’t connected by an easy road through the park, so I’d save The Needles or The Maze for a completely separate day.
Getting Around Island in the Sky
Once you’re inside Island in the Sky, getting around is pretty easy. There isn’t a shuttle system in Canyonlands, so you’ll need to rent a car or bring your own, but the main scenic drive and the roads leading to the major overlooks and trailheads are paved.
The Island in the Sky Scenic Drive is about 34 miles round trip, with most of the major viewpoints and trailheads branching off along the way. The drive itself can take around 2 to 3 hours depending on how often you stop, but I’d expect to spend longer, especially if you're adding in a few hikes.
I’d also download your map before leaving Moab since cell service can be limited once you’re farther into Canyonlands. If you want a little more context while you drive, you can also download a self-guided Canyonlands audio tour that works offline and guides you through Island in the Sky.
When to Visit Island in the Sky
Island in the Sky sits much higher than Moab, so I wouldn’t base your plans entirely on what the weather feels like down in town. For me, spring and fall are the easiest seasons to visit, especially if you want to spend a lot of time hiking.
Late April through May and September into early October are the months I’d look at first. Summer is still doable, but there’s very little shade along many of the trails and viewpoints, so starting earlier in the day makes a big difference.
Winter is much quieter and is honestly a great time to visit, but snow and ice can make some roads and trails more unpredictable.
The Best Viewpoints in Island in the Sky
Much of our time in Island in the Sky is spent pulling over at overlooks. They’re easy to reach, but they don’t all feel the same, so these are the four I’d actually make time for.
Shafer Canyon Overlook
Shafer Canyon Overlook is probably my favorite viewpoint in Island in the Sky, and we always end up staying here longer than we planned. From the edge, you’re looking straight down at the Shafer Trail switchbacks zigzagging below you, and there are usually cars slowly working their way up or down the canyon.
One of my favorite things to do is just sit here for a while and watch them. If you get lucky, two cars will meet on one of the narrow switchbacks, and you can watch them figure out how they’re going to pass each other, which is weirdly entertaining from up above. It’s such a simple stop, but it’s one I look forward to every time we come back to Canyonlands.
Green River Overlook
If you can time one overlook for sunset, I’d make it Green River Overlook. The colors can look a little washed out in the middle of the day, but once the sun starts getting lower, the canyons pick up a lot more depth and color.
The view here is honestly hard to describe because I've personally never seen anything else like it out west. You’re looking out over the Green River, huge stretches of canyon, and on a clear day you can even see features of The Maze, which is the most remote district of Canyonlands.
If you do end up here in the middle of the day instead of sunset, I’d spend a little time trying to pick out The Maze in the distance. It’s pretty cool knowing you’re looking toward a part of the park that most visitors will never actually get to explore.
Buck Canyon Overlook
I wouldn’t plan my whole day around Buck Canyon Overlook, but I also wouldn’t drive past it. It’s right off the scenic drive, and the walk from the parking area only takes a couple of minutes.
This is definitely more of a quick stop than somewhere I’d spend a ton of time, but I still think it’s worth pulling over for the view across Buck Canyon toward the Colorado River canyon. The overlook is paved and really easy to reach, so there’s not much reason to skip it if you’re already driving this part of the park.
Grand View Point
Grand View Point sits at the very end of the Island in the Sky Scenic Drive, so once you’ve made it this far, I’d just keep going all the way to the overlook. You don’t need much time here either, the main viewpoint is only a short paved walk from the parking lot.
From the overlook, you can pick out the White Rim below and look toward parts of The Needles and The Maze farther out in Canyonlands. It’s a good place to stop for a few minutes before turning around and heading back through the park.
If you want to stay longer, there’s also a 1.8-mile round-trip trail that continues along the rim to another viewpoint. I wouldn’t say you need to hike it just to experience Grand View Point though. The main overlook is still worth driving out to on its own.
2026 Update: Through October 1, Grand View Point is closed from Monday at 6 a.m. through Thursday at 4 p.m. each week for an ongoing construction project. If you’re visiting during this period, check the current NPS conditions before heading out.
The Best Hikes in Island in the Sky
You don’t need to hike every trail in Island in the Sky to get a feel for the park, but these are the ones I’d make time for first.
Mesa Arch
We do the Mesa Arch Trail pretty much every single time we visit Island in the Sky. It’s only about 0.6 miles round trip, so even though we’ve already hiked it before, it’s hard to justify skipping when it takes so little time.
Mesa Arch is especially famous at sunrise, when the bottom of the arch can glow orange as the sun comes up behind it. That also means photographers start claiming their spots well before sunrise. If getting that exact photo isn’t important to you though, I wouldn’t plan your entire morning around being here that early. We’ve visited at other times of day and still think it’s 100% worth stopping.
The trail itself is short and pretty easy, although it isn’t paved and there are some uneven rocks and steps along the way. Once you reach the arch, you can look through it toward the canyon and the La Sal Mountains in the distance.
Aztec Butte Trail
Aztec Butte is a much more adventurous hike than Mesa Arch. It’s only about 1.4 miles round trip, but there’s some slickrock scrambling involved, so I wouldn’t let the short distance make you think it’s just an easy walk. I’d give yourself around an hour and a half for this one.
The trail splits partway through, with one route climbing up Aztec Butte and another leading toward ancestral Puebloan granaries tucked beneath the rock. The granaries are one of the coolest reasons to add this hike, but they’re extremely fragile, so make sure to admire them without touching or entering them.
I’d pick Aztec Butte if you want something a little more adventurous than the shorter viewpoint trails around Island in the Sky.
Upheaval Dome
Upheaval Dome is probably the strangest hike on this list because no one knows for sure exactly how it formed. The two main theories are that it was created by a massive salt dome or by a meteorite impact, and while newer research leans toward the meteorite theory, there are still unanswered questions.
The hike to the first overlook is only about 0.6 miles round trip, but it’s steeper and rockier than the distance makes it sound. If you want to keep going, there’s a second overlook that brings the hike to about 1.2 miles round trip and gives you another angle over Upheaval Dome and Upheaval Canyon.
And definitely wear proper hiking shoes on this one. Logan twisted his ankle pretty badly here after once again deciding that the proper hiking shoes were apparently Hey Dudes.... I promise the trail isn’t anything crazy, but there are enough uneven rocks that I’d definitely wear shoes with good grip and ankle support.
White Rim Overlook
White Rim Overlook is about 1.8 miles round trip and takes you out to a viewpoint above Monument Basin and the White Rim, with the La Sal Mountains in the distance. It’s longer than something like Mesa Arch, but still short enough that you can easily add it into a day of exploring Island in the Sky.
I’d do this one if you have time for another hike and want something more than another quick roadside overlook. Just know that parking at the trailhead is really limited, so if all the spots are taken, I’d keep going and try again later.
A Few More Hikes to Consider
Whale Rock: This is a short 0.8-mile round-trip hike that climbs up the side of a sandstone dome. There’s some slickrock scrambling near the top, so I’d pick this one if you want something short but a little more hands-on than Mesa Arch.
Murphy Point: At 3.4 miles round trip, Murphy Point gives you a longer hike without a ton of elevation change. The trail passes an old ranching corral before ending with views toward the Green River, White Rim Road, and Candlestick Tower.
Neck Spring Trail: This 5.6-mile loop is a good option if you want something that feels different from the overlooks and slickrock hikes. It passes two natural springs and remnants from the area’s ranching days, and I’d plan around 3–4 hours for it.
Syncline Loop: I’d save this one for experienced hikers looking for a much bigger day. The loop is about 8.1 miles, involves scrambling through boulder fields and steep switchbacks, and most park rescues actually happen on this trail, so make sure you come prepared.
Gooseberry Trail: If you want something steep, this is about as serious as the day hikes get in Island in the Sky. The trail is 4.6 miles round trip but drops roughly 1,400 feet from the mesa down toward the White Rim bench, which means you have to climb all of that back out. I’d only add this one if you’re specifically looking for a strenuous hike.
Where to Stay Near Island in the Sky
For a trip to Island in the Sky, Moab is the best place to stay. There aren’t any hotels inside this part of Canyonlands, and staying in town still puts you close enough to get into the park early while giving you plenty of restaurants and hotel options at the end of the day. Moab also makes it easy to split your trip between Canyonlands and Arches National Park, which I’d give its own day if you have the time.
We’ve stayed in Moab quite a few times now, and WorldMark Moab and Wolfe’s Hotel are still two of our favorites. WorldMark is a great option if you want more space, while Wolfe’s feels a little more like a boutique stay.
If Canyonlands is the main reason for your trip, I’d look at hotels toward the north side of Moab since you’ll already be heading that direction to reach UT-313. If you care more about walking to restaurants and shops at night, staying closer to downtown makes more sense.
Moab hotel prices can sometimes jump pretty quickly during spring and fall, so make sure not to wait to book until the last minute.
Camping in Island in the Sky
If you’d rather stay inside Canyonlands, Willow Flat Campground is the only developed campground in Island in the Sky. There are just 12 campsites, and every site is first come, first served, so I wouldn’t show up late in the day and assume you’ll get one. The campground is open year-round and currently costs $15 per night.
Willow Flat is also right near Green River Overlook, which would be pretty convenient if you want to catch sunset there and not have to drive all the way back to Moab afterward. The campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, but there’s no water, showers, electrical hookups, or dump station, so come prepared before heading into the park.
I’d personally have a backup plan around Moab just in case Willow Flat is already full. With only 12 sites and no reservations, it’s definitely not a campground I’d want to build my entire trip around without another option.
Things to Know Before Visiting Island in the Sky
Island in the Sky is pretty straightforward to explore, but there are a few things I’d make sure you know before leaving Moab for the day:
You don’t need a timed-entry reservation. Canyonlands currently does not require timed entry, so you can enter whenever you want during the day. The standard entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, and an America the Beautiful pass also works here.
Fill up on gas and grab food before you leave Moab. There are no restaurants, gas stations, or lodging inside Canyonlands, so I’d bring everything you think you’ll need for the day with you.
Bring plenty of water. You can get drinking water at the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, but there isn’t potable water along the hiking trails or at Willow Flat Campground. I’d still bring most of what you need with you instead of depending on filling up once you arrive.
Pets are really limited inside Canyonlands. Dogs aren’t allowed on the hiking trails, at overlooks, or in the backcountry, so this isn’t a national park where I’d plan on bringing your dog along for the day unless you already know exactly where they’re allowed.
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Did you find these tips helpful? Let us know your Canyonlands National Park plans in the comments! :)
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