island in the sky

See my review for Canyonlands National Park. If you are looking for peace and raw beauty, don't miss this park!

We did not do the Needles side of the park but this side was breathtaking! There are several overlooks well worth the stop and very easy to walk to (a few hundred feet). The Grand View is worth the drive to the end of the road. The Aztec Buttes trail is fun and challenging on one butte and you get to see some Native American granaries built into the cliffs. The syncline loop trail was a lot of fun but just know you will have to climb over rocks and plan for a challenge! We went to the right first and were happy we did as it would have meant a LONG uphill at the end. We had a compact uphill which was hard but better to climb stairs. And alternative to the whole loop is to go to the overlooks and then take the left trail to the bottom and into the dome crater. It would still be difficult but the trail is better marked/defined. Have fun out there!

There is nothing else like Island in the Sky. Much as I enjoy wandering in the Maze District or the Needles District, I will always love the awe-inspiring views that are around every corner of Island in the Sky. It has a decent range of trails - from very easy jaunts that little kids and grandparents alike can wander along, to one that involves scrambling around the rim of a crater. This is truly one of the best parks to visit with a group of people, because everyone will find something they will enjoy. You will see things from your vantage points at this park that will never leave your mind, and you will love it.

GREEN RIVER OVERLOOK-ISLAND IN THE SKY CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK (UTAH’S HIDDEN BYWAYS XI) Much has been written about the Arches/Canyonlands National Park(s) region of Southeastern Utah. We, as easterners, first visited the region in 1973, when most of the facilities in Canyonlands National Park were non-existent, the roads were dirt/gravel, and the ranger station was a small trailer at the Gooseneck. Times and the man-made structures in the park have changed, but not Canyonlands. The park, which we have visited numerous times, is a magnet for both the casual tourist and the most accomplished explorer, because of its diverse nature. There is much to see in this monumental park. The NEEDLES AREA was covered in my submission to Tripadvisor entitled “Utah SR211 and the Needles (UTAH’s HIDDEN BYWAYS III)”. I will discuss an area of the ISLAND IN THE SKY section called the GREEN RIVER OVERLOOK, which is easy to get to, but un-crowded and quite beautiful. The other areas are the WHITE RIM TRAIL below the rim and the MAZE. The ISLAND IN THE SKY section of CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK is an extraordinary area of White Rim Sandstone benches overlooking Cedar Mesa Sandstone, which has been eroded by wind, ice, and water over geologic times. These fanciful Buttes and Mesas with unique names, as well as hoodoos of exceptional shapes and colors, give the traveler a short trip through geologic time. The colors and shadows emanating from these eroding structures and monoliths produce visual images that make this area highly photogenic. Furthermore, the ISLAND IN THE SKY area is not that difficult to drive to, and on, as long as simple precautions are observed. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRIP IF IT HAS RAINED WITHIN THE LAST 8 HOURS WITHOUT CHECKING AT THE VISITORS CENTER. THE PARK ROADS CAN GET VERY MUDDY AND QUITE SLICK. IN ADDITION, USING A VEHICLE WITH SOME HIGH CLEARANCE, SUCH AS AN SUV, IS PREFERABLE, BUT NOT MANDETORY. FURTHERMORE, BRING WATER, FOOD, AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND YOUESELF, EVEN THOUGH THE RANGERS PATROL THE PARK. A GOOD AREA MAP IS ESSENTIAL FOR ORIENTATION AND FORMATION IDENTIFICATION. Our usual starting point for a Canyonlands National Park visit is Moab, Utah. Moab is a delightful town servicing the tourists, with great shops, restaurants, accommodations, and outfitters for various trips, short and long. I would highly recommend getting your accommodation reservations set as early as possible if you plan to spend some time here. Space fills up fast during the tourist season (i.e. May through November). We start our trip by heading North on Utah SR191N, passing the beginning 0f Utah SR128N (see my TripAdvisor submission entitled UTAH 128 -UTAH’S HIDDEN BYWAYS II) on your right. You will now take the bridge over the Colorado River and proceed past the entrance to Arches National Park, which is also on your right. Proceed on SR191N for an additional 6-8 miles until you see a sign for Canyonlands National Park on your LEFT. You will make a Left onto Utah SR313 and proceed toward the park. After making the left, you will CAREFULLY cross railroad tracks and begin to gain altitude. The surrounding terrain is reminiscent of the formations found in nearby Arches National Park. As you climb up these switchbacks on this well maintained road, there is ample opportunity to pull off the road and enjoy your environment. If you look in the middle distance to your north, you can spot the rather large rock formations named the MONITOR AND THE MERIMACK (i.e. CSA Virginia). The road will now level out, as well as straighten out. You are passing through private property in this section, so you may encounter cattle, as well as oil drilling rigs. You will continue along, passing the turnoff for Dead Horse Point State Park (more later) on your left, until you reach the Canyonlands National Park entrance station (fee area). About a mile beyond the entrance station, you will encounter the areas Visitors Center/Ranger Station on your right. Park and take the opportunity to visit and ask any questions. There are souvenirs available, as well as rest room facilities outside. As you depart to your right, you will be traveling across a Gooseneck of land which connects this area to the Island in the Sky-White Rim Mesa. There are fantastic overlook across the road looking east. This area is best photographed, and viewed, in afternoon light. The road now travels across this neck and continues past some trailheads and parking areas. You will reach a junction going out to Grandview Point (straight), while the right turn will take you toward the Green River Overlook and Upheaval Dome. About a mile or two past this junction, you will make a LEFT turn onto the road going out to the Green River Overlook. Park the car in the Parking lot and go to the railed viewpoint. Your view in the middle distance will be the Green River meandering its way to the confluence with the Colorado River. Most of the visitors stop here. The more delightful section is off to the left of this viewpoint. Social trails and route picking through the Juniper Trees and rock outcrops lead to the more photogenic views of the area, especially in the morning light. DO NOT GET CLOSE TO THE RIM EDGE. IT IS A LONG WAY DOWN!!! THE RANGERS DO NOT WANT TO BRING YOU UP BY MULE (i.e. SOME LIKE IT HOT-1959). We have been known to spend a couple of hours in this tranquil spot, enjoying the play of light and shadow on the formations below us. The lack of crowds also enhances the enjoyment of the moment. Working your way back to the junction of the main road, a right will take you out to Grandview Point, while a left will take you to the trailhead of Mesa Arch (i.e. A short trail with a great pay-off) and back to the gooseneck. There are pullouts near the gooseneck, on your right, with magnificent views of the White Rim Trail snaking its way off the mesa and into the surrounding canyons. We have taken this as a day trip with a jeep and guide from Tag-a-Long Tours of Moab, Utah. If you have the time, and inclination, take this out to the area below Grandview Point known as Monument Basin. This area has some of the best views, looking east, in the park. There are also some short hiking trails that you can enjoy. This is a great area for afternoon photography, with the rugged terrain that is visible from the Island in the Sky section spread out below. DO NOT DEFACE THE ROCKS, TREES, OR THEIR SURROUNDINGS. YOU ARE ON FEDERAL PROPERTY, AND IT IS AGAINST THE LAW. LEAVE IT THE WAY NATURE INTENDED IT TO BE LEFT! You will be exiting the park using the same route that you entered it. A few miles past the Canyonlands National Park entrance station, you will approach a junction, on your right, sending you out to Dead Horse Point State Park. I would recommend this side trip, especially in the afternoon when the photographic lighting is better. After making the right turn at the junction, you will proceed a few miles to the DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK entrance station (fee area). A short distance later will put you in some picnic areas with fire-pits. There are a few turn-outs giving views of the surrounding area. Continue to the main parking area, which you may be sharing with buses and the bus peloton (i.e. Crowds). Proceed to the viewpoints for some amazing scenery. Dead Horse Point sits above an Oxbow of the Colorado River, with the La Sal Mountains in the distance. There is a Potash Plant barely in sight on the far left. The view here is excellent, with wide sections of this basin visible and, on a clear day, unlimited visibility. Spend some time here and enjoy this unique show of nature. Rest rooms are available near the parking lot, if needed. Retrace your steps back to the junction with Utah SR313, make a right turn and drift down the switchbacks to the junction with Utah SR191. A quick RIGHT will take you back to Moab, Utah. A left at the junction will take you to the junction with Interstate 70 (W and E). Enjoy the trip and be safe. ALASKASEEKER (B.I.N.)

To really explore this park you need quite a bit of time and an probably an all-terrain vehicle, but even just stopping at the top of the canyon is absolutely worth it. The formation of the canyon and the three plateaus that form the different regions of the park is incredibly interesting and beautiful.

It's so amazing place with stunning view of canyon. The only things that I didn't prepare enough time to stay. I will certainly spend a week in here down into canyon, and not just stay on top.

This is a lovely drive. There are so many stops along the way. A definite place to visit if you are near Moab. Don't miss Mesa Arch.

While I was in Moab, I went to Arches National Park, Corona Arch, Canyonlands-Needles District, Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands-Island in the Sky. This was my absolute favourite place. So many great lookouts, the trails were fun hiking and every second step is another spectacular view that will take your breath away. Grand View Point trail is a MUST. If you can scramble up the rocks to the mesa tip, it's such a beautiful place to sit and have lunch and contemplate the wonder of the world we live in. The spot that stole my heart, though, was Upheaval Dome - I've never seen anything like it, and I love the mystery around how it came to be. I do recommend stopping in at the Visitor Centre on your way in. Staff there were super informative and helped me narrow down exactly which hikes and viewpoints to visit, based on what I was looking for.

The Park is entered on top of a Mesa, the Island in the Sky. A unique perspective on the canyon, shifting with every bend in the road. For those with limited mobility it is the best way to enjoy the parl

A park that sits atop a mesa, and has absolutely beautiful views. Canyonlands National Park has two distinct sections which are not connected within the park. The entrance to this section is north of Moab and enters from the northeastern side of the park on Hwy 313. This part of the park has more road accessibility than The Needles section with 20 miles of paved, scenic road, and you can hike out from various viewpoints along the way. Get out of your car and check out the signs - they give you all the info about that particular natural attraction. Trails range from .5 to 5.8 miles round trip. Access to backcountry areas is also available. Gorgeous, gorgeous!!

With lots of overlooks and several trails to explore this offers great views of the Green and Colorado Rivers and the canyons. The size of the canyons is amazing. Well worth a visit.

Arches, canyons, frozen dunes, rock formations. We did Aztec Butte, Mesa Arch, Taylor Canyon - Alcove Spring Trail and Upheaval Dome. Taylor Canyon - Alcove Spring Trail was our favorite and very much an unsung hero. The trail was hard to follow due to the lack of travel. We never saw another person our whole time in the canyon. The trail doesn't even make the park website and is physically strenuous, but is spectacular. We didn't see any sheep but there were some prints.

This has is all... Arch, views, scenery and it's all easily accessible. Grand view is the most impressive, Mesa arch is often busy (go early or late) and all the trails are suitable for all.

Only about 30 miles from Moab and a great place to spend a day driving to different overlooks and hikes. Stop by the visitor center. They have a 15 minute video and lots of ranger help to plan your day. Definitely ask about any ranger lead talk and walks. They have then every day I believe.Number one favorite for us was the Grand View Point Trail: It is about a mile in so 2.0 miles round trip. Relatively easy. We did it was a ranger lead talk/walk and it was EXCELLENT. The talk walk out was 1.5 hours with lots of stops and very interesting topics. He will also answer any questions. This was the highlight of the trip.The Mesa Arch was also excellent. Very different than the Arches NP Arches. It looks more like an arch made of a fallen tree from afar. It is at the edge of the trail looking off into the canyons. Some good pictures here.Also good was the Green River overlook and Upheaval Dome Trails. On thing is we and others had trouble finding the second Upheaval Dome overlook. We found a number of good overlooks but were never sure we got to the end. The trail seemed to just keep going and we though (using pedometer) we had gone past the mileage quotes. So we just turned around when we thought we had seen the crater and enjoyed enjoy of the trail.With the ranger talk and lunch we were there for about 6 hours. A good day.

-How cool was it to see Mesa Arch? Pretty cool! :) But don’t just take a picture through the Arch opening, check out what’s on the other side too by walking around arch itself to the cliff side.-Grand View, once you check out the overlook and drive a short way to the parking lot, there is an overlook from there to that looks like a gigantic dinosaur footstep, the best way to describe it, no need to walk the one mile hike. Grand view is great when the sun is up higher in the sky.