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Moab, Canyonlands, Arches: Sights & Places of Interest |
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Leah
has put together some suggested itineraries for you. |
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Canyonlands ~ Arches ~ Moab ~ Other ~ Multiple Destination Tour |
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Remember,
You are in the Desert! |
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Canyonlands |
Canyonlands
National Park preserves a colorful landscape of sedimentary sandstones
eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River
and its tributaries. Located in southeast Utah, the park sits in the
heart of a vast basin bordered by sheer cliffs of Wingate Sandstone. The
Colorado and Green rivers divide the park into four districts: the
Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves.
While the districts share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains
its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration and
the study of natural and cultural history. Hours: Visitor centers are open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 pm, with extended hours spring through fall. Visitor centers are closed December 25th and January 1st. Many roads and trails are impassable during winter months. Admission: $10.00 for a Vehicle Pass (1 vehicle and all passengers) valid for 7 days. Or for $25 Get a Local Passport valid for 1 year. It provides entrance into Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monument. For more information about Canyonlands National Park visit: http://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm |
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Tour Of Canyonlands:
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The Island in the Sky mesa rests on sheer sandstone
cliffs over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Every overlook
offers a different perspective on Canyonlands’ spectacular landscape.
The Island is the easiest district to visit in a short period of time,
offering many pullouts with spectacular views along the paved scenic
drive. Hiking trails and four-wheel-drive roads access backcountry areas
for day or overnight trips. Location: To reach the Island, take US Highway 191 to Utah Highway 313 (10 mi/16 km north of Moab, or 22 mi/35 km south of I-70) and then drive southwest 22 mi/35 km. Driving time to the visitor center from Moab is roughly 40 minutes. Visitor Center: The visitor center is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (except some winter holidays), with extended hours spring through fall. Exhibits, publications and information are available, and a park orientation video may be viewed. Bottled water is available for sale at the visitor center. No water is available elsewhere; bring all that you will need. Interpretive Programs: Overlook talks and guided walks are led by rangers April through October. Check at the visitor center for times and locations. Campgrounds: Willow Flat Campground is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. There are twelve sites with tables, fire grills and vault toilets. The 1 mi/1.6 km access road is unpaved. Firewood and water are not available. Maximum group size is ten people, with a limit of two vehicles per group. Sites are $5 per night. 1 hour: Drive to Grand View Point and enjoy a broad view of the entire park. If time permits, visit Buck or Shafer Canyon overlooks along the way. 2 hours: Visit Grand View Point, Upheaval Dome (1 mile hike to rim and back) and Green River overlooks. Hike the .5-mile loop nature trail to Mesa Arch. Half day: Visit all of the above and enjoy many of the other short, mesa top nature trails to features like Whale Rock or Aztec Butte. Attend a ranger-led program at Grand View Point (overlook talks are usually given twice daily). Visitors with four-wheel-drive may consider returning to Moab via the Shafer Trail and Potash roads. Full day: Hike several of the mesa top trails or one of the longer trails like Syncline or Murphy loops. With four-wheel-drive, explore the White Rim Road as far as Musselman Arch or travel to the Colorado River via Lathrop. Many days: Use the Willow Flat Campground as a base camp and explore the district on foot or in a vehicle. Backpack into Taylor Canyon for a night, or to the Colorado River via Lathrop Canyon. Consider a multi-day, four-wheel-drive or mountain bike trip along the White Rim Road (reservations recommended). |
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The
Needles District forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands and was named
for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area.
The district’s extensive trail system provides many opportunities for
long day hikes and overnight trips. Foot trails and four-wheel-drive
roads lead to such features as Tower Ruin, Confluence Overlook, Elephant
Hill, the Joint Trail, and Chesler Park. Location: On US Highway 191, drive 40 miles (60 km) south of Moab or 14 miles (22 km) north of Monticello, then take Utah Highway 211 roughly 35 miles (56 km) west. Highway 211 ends in the Needles, and is the only paved road leading in and out of the district. Visitor Center: Visitor center is open year-round from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except some winter holidays), with extended hours March through October. Exhibits, information and publications are available. Interpretive Programs: Interpretive programs are offered from March through October with evening programs presented most nights in the Squaw Flat Campground. Check at the visitor center and on bulletin boards for subjects and times. Other programs are offered throughout the season. Campgrounds: Squaw Flat Campground is an ideal base camp for day hikes to popular destinations like Chesler Park, Druid Arch and the Joint Trail. There are 26 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bathrooms, fire grates, picnic tables, tent pads and water are available year-round. Group size limit is 10 people and 2 vehicles. Maximum RV length is 28 feet. Fee is $10 per night. Squaw Flat typically fills every day from late March through June and again from early September to mid-October. The Needles District also offers three campsites for groups of 11 or more people which may be reserved in advance. The Squaw Flat Group Site can hold up to 50 people and 10 vehicles. The Wooden Shoe Group Site can hold up to 25 people and 5 vehicles. The Split Top Group Site can hold up to 15 people and 3 vehicles. Nightly fees are $3 per person. 1 hour: Hike any one of the short interpretive trails. Also, drive to the Big Spring Canyon Overlook and enjoy the view. 2 hours: Drive the three mile unpaved Elephant Hill access road for a distant view of the Needles. Hike one or two of the short interpretive trails. Half day: In addition to enjoying the scenic drive, hikers can explore the Slickrock Trail or walk to the edge of Chesler Park for a closer look at the Needles. Visitors with four-wheel-drive vehicles might consider driving to the Colorado River Overlook. Spend some time at the visitor center learning about the area. Full day: Hike one of the longer backcountry trails, or spend time exploring the four-wheel-drive roads, traveling up Horse Canyon to see the arches, or over Elephant Hill to the Confluence Overlook. Many days: Use the Squaw Flat Campground as a base camp and explore some of the hiking trails. Backpackers could spend a night in Chesler Park or Lost Canyon. Visitors with four-wheel-drive could move their base camp into the backcountry, stay at Devils Kitchen or Peekaboo, and explore the area around those locations. |
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The
Maze is the least accessible district of Canyonlands. Due to the
district’s remoteness and the difficulty of roads and trails, travel
to the Maze requires more time, as well as a greater degree of
self-sufficiency. Rarely do visitors spend less than three days in the
Maze, and the area can easily absorb a week-long trip.
The
Orange Cliffs Unit of
Glen Canyon
National Recreation Area shares Canyonlands' western boundary and is
administered under the same backcountry management plan and
permit/reservation system. While some regulations differ, the
information here should assist Orange Cliffs visitors in planning trips. Location: The Hans Flat Ranger Station is two and one-half hours from Green River, Utah. From I-70, take Utah Highway 24 south for 24 miles. A left hand turn just beyond the turnoff to Goblin Valley State Park will take you along a two-wheel-drive dirt road 46 miles (76 km) southeast to the ranger station. From the ranger station, the canyons of the Maze are another 3 to 6 hours by high-clearance, 4WD (more if traveling by foot). Another four-wheel-drive road leads into the Maze north from Highway 95 near Hite Marina (driving time is 3+ hours to the park boundary). Ranger Station: The Hans Flat Ranger Station is open year-round from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is a small sales area with books and maps. There are no amenities like food or gas, no entrance fees and no potable water sources in the Maze District. FWD Roads: Four-wheel-drive roads in the Maze are extremely difficult, present considerable risk of vehicle damage, and should not be attempted by inexperienced drivers. A high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle is required for all Maze backcountry roads. Hiking and Backpacking: Trails in the Maze are primitive and lead into canyons and to various viewpoints. Due to the nature and depth of Maze canyons, access to them is limited. Routes into the canyons are cairned from mesa top to canyon bottom, but routes through washes are often unmarked. Many of the canyons look alike and are difficult to identify without a topographic map. The Maze Overlook Trail and other routes in the district require basic climbing maneuvers in order to negotiate sections of steep slickrock and pour-offs. A 25-foot length of rope is often essential for raising or lowering packs in difficult spots. Many routes may make hikers with a fear of heights uncomfortable. |
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Tour Of Canyonlands:
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The
Colorado and Green rivers wind through the heart of Canyonlands, cutting
through layered sandstone to form two deep canyons. Both rivers are calm
upstream of the Confluence, ideal for canoes, kayaks and other shallow
water craft. Below the Confluence, the combined flow of both rivers
spills down Cataract Canyon with remarkable speed and power, creating a
world-class stretch of white water.
River
flows are dependent upon snowmelt and rainfall. The character of the
rivers changes dramatically depending on the season. High water
generally stretches from early May to late June. Recorded river flows
are available from the
US
Geological Survey's Web site, or by calling (801) 539-1311. Launch/Take Out Options: On both rivers, all launch ramps are outside Canyonlands. Launch locations on the Green River typically include Green River State Park, Ruby Ranch or Mineral Bottom. On the Colorado, boaters typically use the Potash or Moab ramps. There is no vehicle access to the rivers near the Confluence or in Cataract Canyon. While hiking trails lead to the rivers from each of the districts, these trails are too long and rugged to be seriously considered for shuttles, even for inflatables and other lightweight boats. Groups wishing to avoid the white water must arrange upstream travel back to Moab. Cataract Canyon trips take-out at Hite Marina on Lake Powell, which involves crossing roughly 30 miles of lake with frequent up-canyon winds. Non-motorized trips must plan enough time to row out under these conditions or arrange a boat rental or tow from Hite Marina at (435) 684-2278. |
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Arches National Park Tip: |
Arches
National Park preserves over two thousand natural sandstone arches,
including the world-famous Delicate Arch, in addition to a variety of
unique geological resources and formations. In some areas, faulting has
exposed millions of years of geologic history. The extraordinary
features of the park, including balanced rocks, fins and pinnacles, are
highlighted by a striking environment of contrasting colors, landforms
and textures. Hours: The park is open year round, 24 hours a day. Peak visitor season runs from mid-March through October. The cooler weather months, when snow occasionally blankets the red rocks, is a particularly beautiful time to visit. Admission: $10.00 for a Vehicle Pass (1 vehicle and all passengers) valid for 7 days. Or for $25 Get a Local Passport valid for 1 year. It provides entrance into Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monument. For more information about Arches National Park visit: http://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm |
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Plan
on spending at least a few hours in the park, exploring the scenic drive
and several of the viewpoints and short trails. If time permits, longer
hikes lead to many spectacular rock formations, including Delicate Arch,
and the Devils Garden Campground provides an excellent base camp for
multi-day trips. Also, consider attending an interpretive program.
Guided walks, short talks and campfire programs are offered daily March
through October. |
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The
road system in Arches passes many outstanding natural features. As
Arches' popularity has increased, people have begun to park in areas
that damage plants and sometimes endanger other visitors. Please park in
established lots only. Generally, parking spaces are easier to find
before 9 a.m. and after 7 p.m. 1.5 hours: Drive to the Windows Section and see some of the park's largest arches. (Add one-half hour to stroll beneath either North Window or Double Arch). OR Drive to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint and see the world's most famous arch, a mile distant. Stop at Wolfe Ranch on your way back and imagine what it would have been like to homestead this relatively barren area in the late 1800s. 3 hours: Do both of the 1.5 hour tours. 4.5 hours: Drive all of the paved park roads, spending ten minutes at each viewpoint, and be sure to visit the Windows Section, Wolfe Ranch and the Delicate Arch Viewpoint. |
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Arches contains a wealth of hiking trails. Ranging in length and difficulty, these trails provide access to outstanding viewpoints and many of the park's famous features, including Balanced Rock and Delicate Arch. In many cases, trails travel under arches, affording quite a different perspective than what is visible from a car. Balanced
Rock Broken
Arch Delicate
Arch Viewpoint Desert
Nature Trail Double
Arch Landscape
Arch Sand
Dune Arch Skyline
Arch The
Windows |
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Tour Of Arches: Hiking Tours Moderate Trails |
Park
Avenue Tower
Arch |
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Tour Of Arches: Hiking Tours Long Trails |
Delicate
Arch Devils
Garden Primitive Loop Double
O Arch Fiery Furnace |
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Moab: |
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The
largest town in southeastern Utah, Moab is the only town located on the
Colorado River. Moab serves as the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands
National Parks, Dead Horse Point State Park, and the famous Slickrock
Bike Trail.
Established in the 1800s by ranchers and farmers, Moab was a quiet community until it caught the excitement created by oil exploration in the 1920s. In 1952, the uranium boom tripled Moab's population and prospectors swarmed the canyons. By the 1970s the surge of uranium production was over and Moab again became a quiet community. Today, Moab is a visitor destination, drawing many outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, artists, moviemakers, and extreme travelers to the incredible canyons, mesas and mountains surrounding it. |
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Moab: Galleries |
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Moab: Shopping |
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Moab: Dining |
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Moab: |
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Moab: Jeeping, Biking & Hiking |
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Tip: |
Dead
Horse Point is perhaps Utah's most spectacular state park. Towering
2,000 feet directly above the Colorado River, Dead Horse Point provides
a breathtaking panorama of Canyonlands' sculptured pinnacles and buttes.
Dead Horse Point is on State Route 313, 18 miles off Highway 191 near
Moab. The visitor center, interpretive museum, modern rest rooms,
21-unit campground, sewage disposal station, group camping area,
pavilion and large overlook shelter make Dead Horse Point comfortable
and informative as well as spectacular. Hours: Visitor Center - Winter Months: 9 am to 5 pm. Rest of the Year: 8 am to 6 pm. Admission: $7.00 Day use fee Or $14 Camping Fee (reservations available 3/1-10/31, call: (435) 259-2614) For more information about Dead Horse Point State Park visit: http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/ |
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The
La Sal Mountains are to the South east of Moab. The second highest range
in Utah, these alpine mountains offer excellent opportunities for
hiking, camping, cycling, mountain climbing, cross country and
hut-to-hut skiing, fishing, ATV riding and are a perfect place to escape
the summer heat. The La Sals also serve at the beautiful backdrop for
Arches and Canyonlands. Campsites are available at Oowah Lake and Warner
Lake on a first cone, first serve basis. Hours: For more information about the La Sal National Forrest visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/mantilasal/general/mlrecd2.htm |
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The
world famous Slickrock trail is a 10.3 mile long challenge for even a
more experienced rider. If you have less experience, try the 1.7
practice loop - still a good ride. The Slickrock trail is physically and
technically challenging, but the giant vistas and the trill of the ride
are worth the effort. The BLM publishes a trail guide and administers
the land. Hours: For more information about the Slickrock Bike Trail visit: http://www.slickrocktrail.com OR http://www.utah.com/bike/trails/slickrock.htm |
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The Colorado
River is located 2 miles north of the town of Moab. The river cuts
through the red rock gorge with sights incomparable to others. The
sienna colored river meanders along in some sections and rushes boldly
in others. Whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing and jet boat tours
abound. The drives along the river; Scenic Byway 128 and Scenic Byway
279, offer incredible views, glimpses of petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks,
arches, famous movie locations, redrock spires and rock towers that loom
1500 feet above the valley floor. For more information about the Colorado Scenic byways including directions, visit: http://www.discovermoab.com/byways.htm |
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Natural
Bridges National Monument Accessible via Utah Highways 95 and 275 |
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| Las
Vegas to Moab, Utah (6 Days) 5 National Parks 8 Day Circle Tour Starting and Ending in Moab (5 National Parks, History of Utah and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon) 6 Day Circle Tour Loop Starting in Grand Junction, CO (3 national parks, 2 State parks, 2 monuments, Indian Villages, Prehistoric sites, and more!) Denver to Phoenix (7 Days) Includes National Parks, State Parks, National Monuments, and more! |
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Moab FAQs, Insider Tips and Links Great Travel Tips Our Favorite Travel Links |
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If you have any questions, comments or if you have any full or half day trips you would like to add, we would be very happy to share them with the world! Send all the details to leah@destinationcoupons.com |
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