Hiking in Utah's Canyonlands National Park
Hiking and Backpacking in the Island in the Sky District near Moab
Feb 1, 2009
Canyonlands National Park is Utah’s largest park and is divided into 3 districts by the remarkably carved canyons of the Green and Colorado Rivers. The Island in the Sky district of the park is the most easily accessible of the three districts and offers incredible panoramic views and several easy to moderate trail systems. This district sits atop sheer vertical cliffs rising over 1000 feet above the river floor and literally looks like an island in the sky
Hiking in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands
Several short, day hikes are available in the Island. These hikes tend to offer little shade, no reliable water sources, and are extremely hot (100+ degree) in the summer months. These hikes are ideal in fall and spring or in early morning during the summer months. No matter what time of year – make sure to bring sufficient water supplies and plenty of sunscreen.
- Grand View Trail: The Grand View trail is a fairly easy and flat hike that walks out to the end of the Island View Mesa. The trail is 2 miles out and back and offers incredible panoramic views of thousands of square miles of rugged wilderness below. Hike the trail at sunset for especially stunning and continually changing views of the dramatic panorama.
- Aztec Butte Trail: The Aztec Butte Trail leads to ruins of ancestral Puebloan granaries. The 2-mile roundtrip trail requires a steep ascent up slickrock to get views of the granaries and of nearby Taylor Canyon.
- Mesa Arch Trail: This easy one-mile roundtrip hike through pinon, juniper trees and cactus leads to the Mesa Arch, a sandstone arch hanging perilously on the cliff edge.
Backpacking in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands
The backpacking terrain in the Island is for experienced backpackers only. Most overnight trips involve a descent off 1000 feet or more from the mesa top through a variety of talus fields and steep slopes. All backpackers must secure a backcountry permit for all over night trips. There are very few reliable water sources so inquire at the backcountry office about water conditions before heading out.
- Syncline Loop Trail: The Syncline Loop trail is the least strenuous of the backpacking trails. There is one designated campsite along the trail and it must be reserved in advance from the backcountry reservations office. The trail follows the washes on both sides of the Upheaval Dome, a giant crater that has thought to be caused by a meteorite crash some 60 million years a go. The entire loop requires a descent of 1200 feet but could also be done and an out-and-back hike to the campsite.
- Taylor Canyon Trail: This 20-mile roundtrip trail descends steep switchbacks from the mesa top to a wide, deep-walled canyon. A four-wheel drive road leads to the Green River and incredible views of the dizzingly steep cliffs above. No specific campsites are available and four-at-large camping permits are available each night.
Getting to the Island in the Sky District from Moab
Take US 191 north of Moab (approximately 22 miles) to Utah 313 and then take the highway 22 miles to the entrance of the park.
For hiking and backpacking information in the other districts of Canyonlands National Park, please see Hiking and Backpacking in the Needles District and Hiking and Backpacking in the Maze District.
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