Visit Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky)

Itinerary tips

• 1Plan for at least four to six hours to drive the scenic loop and visit the primary overlooks like Grand View Point and Mesa Arch.
• 2Pack a high-clearance vehicle if you intend to explore the Shafer Trail, but a standard sedan is perfectly fine for all paved viewpoints.
• 3Bring at least two liters of water per person as there are no refill stations or food services beyond the Visitor Center.
• 4Arrive at the Mesa Arch trailhead 30 minutes before sunrise to capture the iconic orange glow beneath the arch.
• 5Purchase a digital Southeast Utah Parks pass in advance to expedite your entry through the ranger station during peak hours.
• 6Download offline maps for the area because cellular service is almost non-existent once you leave the Moab town limits.