Canyonlands National Park is carved by the Colorado River, and is a very large park - a whopping 337,598 acres - with four different sections (that you can't all access from within the park). It reminds me so much of the Grand Canyon! I only spent time in the more common area, Island in the Sky, which is closest to the town of Moab, UT. The other areas include, the Needles, the Maze, and Horseshoe Canyon.
Here are some of my favorite/must do hikes in Canyonlands, Island in the Sky:
Grand View Point Trail (1.8 miles)
White Rim Overlook
Mesa Arch (.5 miles) - makes for an incredible sunrise!
Shafer Canyon Viewpoint
If you have some time, making a stop at Dead Horse Point State Park is worthwhile. Again, you'll need to pay a separate fee to get into a State Park.
Moab is the largest town that you'll stay in on the road trip and has a lot to offer!
Lodging:
There's another Wander Camp location near Moab. I'm a big fan of the glamping experience, but unfortunately wasn't able to stay here when I went through. Setting up glamping tents is weather dependent. My trip was on the early end of the season (March), and due to a late snow storm, they didn't have camp setup by the time I got there. Something to keep in mind if you're traveling/making reservations during early spring.
There are so many hotel/motel options in Moab - everything from popular chain hotels to smaller motels. I ended up staying at the Element Moab and really enjoyed it. Their pool/sauna area was lovely!
If you're traveling with a larger group and wanting to stay for at least a couple nights, there are a lot of cute Airbnb options in the area as well.
Food:
If your lodging doesn't provide breakfast, Jailhouse is a great way to start your day!
Antica Forma - this was one of my favorite meals on the whole trip! Wood-fired pizza and authentic Italian pasta.
Sweet Cravings Bakery + Bistro - I got a sandwich to go and took it into the park with me for a delicious picnic with a view! And as always, LEAVE NO TRACE!
After a long day of hiking, it can be nice to end the day with a cold beer and some hearty food; Moab Brewery makes the perfect spot for this! It can get pretty packed on weekends or during peak tourist season.
Other restaurant recommendations that I didn't get a chance to try (this time): Sultan Mediterranean Grill, Thai Bella, and Desert Bistro.
If you're wanting to visit the other National Parks in Utah,
make sure to check out my Ultimate "Mighty Five" Road Trip blog post.
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