Talk about underrated, this least popular park of the Utah five is definitely a hidden gem! We didn’t know what to expect, but figured at the very least it would be more laid back with less crowds than the other parks. This park has so much to offer with three entirely unique districts that are practically parks unto themselves: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and the Maze, all divided by the Colorado and Green River.
Island in the Sky
The Island in the Sky district is the closest to Moab, UT at only about 30min from downtown. This district actually looks like an island bordered by the Green and Colorado River and rising 2,200 feet above the other districts of the park. While in this district we enjoyed climbing around on Whale Rock, which looks like the back of a whale above the water. We also drove to the southernmost point called Grand View Point, and the views from this two-mile hike sure lived up to the name.
We also saw Mesa Arch, which was a very short 0.7 mile hike. It was kind of cool, but if you’ve already been to Arches National Park you’ve seen the best arches and this could be a little underwhelming. You can’t stand under or climb around this one, it is literally alongside a cliff, approach cautiously with children.
The Needles
The drive into the Needles district of the park was long but remarkable. The terrain as you approach from Newspaper Rock is like no other. We visited this part of the park on our drive from Moab to Mesa Verde National Park, otherwise it would have been about three hours round trip from Moab. The Needles is most definitely worth the drive! It was a unique experience compared to Island in the Sky. We were glad that we visited Island in the Sky first to truly appreciate the prominence of Grand View Point from below. The 2.4 mile Slickrock Trail was a favorite, there are lookouts from which you can admire the unique formations of each of the three districts. Our boys loved navigating from cairn to cairn which mark the trail. This is in full sun throughout the hike and could be miserable in the summer heat, make it an early morning adventure if you’re there during the summer season.
Probably the most unique trail was the Cave Spring Trail. It was super short at only 0.6 miles, but packed a lot of variety in that short distance. Our boys loved climbing the ladders, exploring the caves, and navigating the top of the slick rock. The caves offer some reprieve from the sun on a hot day, we enjoyed a picnic under one of the cave ledges. These caves are historic dwellings with handprints of the ancestral Puebloans who lived there so be sure to be respectful and “leave no trace”!
The Maze
We did not venture over to this remote region of Canyonlands. There are no paved roads, no Visitor Centers, no restrooms, and no water available in The Maze district. This area is a totally different animal, possibly even one of the most remote areas in the country. This would take a lot of advance planning, and is definitely not just a day trip. The Hans Flat Ranger Station just outside the park is about 3.5 hours from Moab. From the ranger station the sights inside The Maze are another 3-6 hours by high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle, with preparations for primitive camping.
Best time to visit:
Similar to many of the southern Utah parks, the best time to visit would be Spring or Fall, as Summer temperatures can be pretty brutal. The trails are mostly exposed rock with very little shade, pack hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water any time of year.
Where we stayed:
We enjoyed our stay at this Moab airbnb condo. The location was prefect for access to Arches, Canyonlands, and Moab. We loved being on the first floor, quick to the pool and easy for loading and unloading.
Other things to do:
Dead Horse Point State Park is right in Moab about 30min from downtown. Definitely on our list when we go back for the awesome views of the bends in the Colorado River. This park is literally on your way to Island in the Sky.
Don’t miss Arches National Park for its amazing natural arches throughout the park.
Capitol Reef National Park is about 2.5 hours from Moab.
Goblin Valley State Park is on the same route as Capitol Reef, but only 1.5 hours. It has hoodoo rock formations and looks so fun!
OK Utah, you win, we have run out of words to describe you! We drove from the Grand Canyon to Moab, UT. If you ever take this route, ignore your GPS’ suggestions, and take the route through Monument Valley. Apparently, Apple and Google do not account for landscape as part of their algorithms!
