Three Great Attractions in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands national park in southern Utah is well-known for its spectacular natural desert landscape shaped by the Colorado River and other mountain ranges. The park is also known for being the home of the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Development. Other notable places to visit are the giant rock pinnacles, immense mesas in the skies, the remote Indian cliff paintings in Horseshoe Canyon and the spectacular whitewater rapids flowing through Canyonlands. There are lots of things to see and do in Canyonlands National Park. It’s one place that will never be bored.

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities to participate in, which include rafting the famous river of the Grand Canyon, spotting wildlife, hiking, climbing, biking, skiing, horseback riding and trailing a number of native wildflowers found only in Canyonlands. There are some of the best hikes to do in Canyonlands National Park, including the infamous Sheeprock Falls, the flight of the eagle and the Temple of Heaven. Out of all the hiking trails, the best hikes are the trail that starts from the parking lot at the south rim of the Grand Canyon; these allow hiking all the way to the Mesa arch.

Besides the exciting best hikes, visitors to Canyonlands National Parks can indulge in scenic drives through the park. Visiting the various national parks is a must-do activity, but when you are visiting Utah, you can spend some time sightseeing while you drive. The National Park Service has maintained a few good guidebooks on various scenic drives in Utah, such as West Rim Highway Guide, Hurricane Ridge Loop Guide and Cedar Mesa Drive Guide. All these guides provide detailed information on various streets and roads you can take to view the amazing scenery in and around Canyonlands. Some of these roads include exits for scenic drives in both directions to the west rim of Grand Canyon National Park, while other roads lead to areas where you can camp, picnic or just relax by viewing the scenery.

Another highlight is the hot springs of Canyonlands National Parks. Hot springs, located in Three Forks, allow visitors to experience the unique beauty of deep volcanic soil. Although most of the hot spring area is dry, there are a few that remain wet at certain times of the year. In addition, visitors can find an endless array of stunning hotels, such as St. George, Mineral Creek or Mountain Home, just a short distance away from the popular hot springs. To add to the beauty of enjoying the serenity of hot springs in the Canyonlands, several camping options are available in and around the region.

Visitors also have the option of visiting nearby Zion National Park, one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the United States. At Zion, visitors can learn about Native American culture and history. The Great Salt Lake Valley, where the national parks are located, also offers scenic hiking opportunities. In addition, there are opportunities for white water rafting, camping in Bear Mountain National Park, driving through Indian Cave, or viewing the spectacular winter landscapes in the Grand Canyon. Some of the most popular winter attractions include skiing on the Sunshine Mountain and visiting Bridalveil, a historic mine town of Utah’s South Rim.

Visitors to Canyonlands National Park should not leave the area without taking in a bit of hiking in Shafer Park. The shaded landscape of Shafer Park gives visitors a feel for the old-growth forests of the canyon, and the trails are easy to follow along the cliffs. The trails also include views of the Wasatch Mountains and Cedar Breaks National Monument, which are also within the boundaries of the Park. In addition to the trails, visitors can take a stroll across the boardwalk at the Great Salt Lake.