Not many people have heard of Canyonlands National Park, it’s not near as popular as Arches National Park is. At arches you have these amazing arches all over the place and of course the world famous “Delicate Arch.” Also the fact that it is about a 5 minute drive from the town of Moab doesn’t hurt either.

But I want to talk about the other park that is near Moab, about 45 minutes away; Canyonlands National Park. Many people taking a southern Utah road trip may ask themselves, is it really worth it to visit Canyonlands? What is there to do or see there?

Well, by the time you finish this article, you can decide for yourself if you want to visit Canyonlands or not. Spoiler alert. You will!

Canyonlands National Park at a Glance

Time Needed: Half day to a full day, maybe even two days to do the Needle’s District as well

Best For: Hikers, couples, photographers, first-time visitors, and anyone looking to escape the crowds

Distance from Moab: About 45 minutes

Would I Visit Again? Absolutely.

What Surprised Me Most

The biggest surprise wasn’t one specific hike.

It was just how massive everything felt. And how unique the park was.

Pictures simply don’t prepare you for standing on the edge of these enormous canyons stretching for miles in every direction.

One of my favorite memories from the trip was sitting at Grand View Point with my feet dangling over the edge while looking out across the desert.

It was one of those moments where you need to just put your phone away for a minute and appreciate where you are and everything around you.

It’s still one of my favorite memories from visiting Utah.

What I Loved About Canyonlands National Park

1. The Lack of Crowds

This was probably my favorite part.

Compared to Arches National Park, Canyonlands felt incredibly peaceful.

We arrived around 8:00 AM, and parking was super easy.

Even while hiking, there were still very few people on the trails.

If you’re someone who enjoys quieter trails and fewer crowds, I think you’ll love Canyonlands.

2. The Incredible Views

I honestly didn’t know what to expect when visiting Canyonlands, what kind of views to see. We didn’t really do too much research or anything on the park before we went, we kind of winged it the day of.

That being said, Canyonlands has some of the best overlooks I’ve ever seen.

Every stop seemed better than the last.

The combination of massive canyons, mesas, cliffs, and winding dried out rivers, makes the landscape feel almost endless.

It’s hard to describe until you’re standing there yourself.

End of Grand View Point Trail in Utah — End of Grand View Point Trail

3. The Variety of Hiking

Even though we only spent one day in the park, every trail felt different.

Some led to scenic overlooks.

Others required scrambling over rocks.

Others offered panoramic canyon views.

It never felt repetitive.

Every hike was different. None of them were super long either. The Mesa Arch Trail was only about .5 mile round trip, Grand View Point was about 2 miles down and back, Aztec Butte was about 2-3 miles round trip, Murphy’s Point was about 3 miles round trip.

So if you’re not a big hiker, don’t worry, they were all pretty easy to do, but still lead to amazing views. The hikes were tons of fun to do.

My Favorite Hikes

We spent about six hours inside the park and completed four different hikes.

For a deeper dive into Canyonlands National park, check out my guide on best things to see and do in Canyonlands National Park

Grand View Point Trail

If you only have time for one hike, make it this one.

The trail is only about two miles round trip, but every step offers incredible views.

Walking along the edge of the canyon while looking out over miles of desert was easily the highlight of my visit.

If I went back tomorrow, this would be the very first hike I’d do again.

Canyonlands National Park, Grand Viewpoint trail — Grand view point trail

Aztec Butte

Aztec Butte completely surprised me.

Instead of simply walking to an overlook, you’re actually climbing and scrambling over large rock formations to reach the top.

It made the hike feel much more adventurous than I expected.

The views from the summit made the climb completely worth it.

Aztec Butte Trail — That is the rock you will climb up!

Mesa Arch

Mesa Arch is probably the most famous stop in the park.

The hike is short, easy, and perfect for almost everyone. It is also right at the entrance of the park. Makes for a nice and easy first stop to get a taste of what Canyonlands has to offer.

It’s a must-see if it’s your first visit.

Murphy Point

Murphy Point is another underrated hike with beautiful canyon views and very few people.

If you’re looking to get away from the crowds, I’d definitely recommend adding it to your itinerary.

What Makes Canyonlands Different Than Arches?

How to visit both Canyonlands and Arches in the same day

Even though both parks are close to Moab, they offer completely different experiences.

Arches National Park

How to spend one day at Arches National Park for first time visitors
Famous sandstone arches
More iconic landmarks
More visitors
Busier hiking trails
Better for shorter visits
Closer to Moab

Canyonlands and Arches Combo National Park Airplane Tour

Canyonlands National Park

Massive canyon overlooks
Much quieter
More peaceful hiking
Endless desert scenery
About 45 minutes from Moab
Better if you enjoy hiking and scenic viewpoints
Guided Tour: Canyonlands National Park Back Country Tour
Guided Tour: Canyonlands Needles District

Is Canyonlands Better Than Arches?

Honestly, it depends on what you’re looking for.

If you’ve never seen giant sandstone arches before, Arches is absolutely worth visiting.

But if you enjoy hiking, photography, scenic overlooks, and escaping the crowds…

I actually think Canyonlands is the better experience.

For me personally, Canyonlands exceeded my expectations while Arches met them.

That’s why Canyonlands ended up being my favorite of the two, however you should absolutely find time to see both

Who Should Visit Canyonlands?

I think Canyonlands is perfect for:

First-time visitors to Moab
Couples
Photographers
Nature lovers
Hikers
Families with older kids
Anyone looking for incredible scenery without huge crowds

Who Might Not Enjoy It?

Canyonlands might not be the best fit if:

You’re only interested in seeing natural arches.
You don’t want to hike at all.
You only have two or three hours available.
Don’t want to drive about 45 minutes from Moab.

I’d still recommend driving through the park and stopping at a few overlooks.

The scenery alone makes the trip worthwhile.

Things to Know Before You Visit

Here are a few things I wish I had known before visiting:

Arrive early for cooler temperatures and even fewer crowds.
Bring plenty of water because the desert air is incredibly dry and there is no water in the park other than at the visitor center
Wear sunscreen even if it doesn’t feel hot.
Cell service can be spotty once you’re outside of Moab.
Give yourself at least half a day to explore the park.

9 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Moab for the First Time

So… is it worth it?

Yes, absolutely it’s worth it. I truly didn’t know what to expect when we were going to Canyonlands National Park, and even though we only spent about 6-7 hours in the park, it was really incredible.

The views you get in Canyonlands are unlike anywhere else you will see in the United States. Sure, it’s not beautiful mountain ranges or dense trees, it’s something more unique. It’s incredible rock formations and canyons for miles and miles as far as the eye can see.

All from over hundreds of million years of tectonic plates uplift, water erosion and sediment deposition. What it left us was something truly remarkable.

If you find yourself in Moab or Southern Utah, do yourself a favor and come see Canyonlands National Park, even if it’s only for a few hours, you will not regret it.

Is Canyonlands National Park Worth Visiting? My Honest Review for First-Time Visitors