{"id":3781,"date":"2019-12-09T21:48:25","date_gmt":"2019-12-09T21:48:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/?p=3781"},"modified":"2021-07-24T05:12:05","modified_gmt":"2021-07-24T05:12:05","slug":"canyonlands-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/canyonlands-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore Canyonlands National Park with Kids (hiking, camping, arches, 4X4 roads)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NOTE*** The content on this page may contain affiliate links, we may make a commission. And, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0More information: disclosure page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ultimate Guide to Canyonlands National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As part of the series on visiting Moab, I wrote this complete guide to visiting Canyonlands National Park with kids. Why – because there is so much to do in Canyonlands it is worth the trip. After exploring the park with my own kids, I tell you how to plan your visit and things to do at Canyonlands National Park with kids. Plus, I’ll give you some insight into what activities to skip and ideas about where to stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: Our series on Moab includes 18 Things to do in Moab<\/a> and Fun Facts about Moab<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some areas are that are not particularly family-friendly are too remote or take technical backpacking experience. While other areas we explored are just right for families. Many hiking trails and sites in the Islands in the Sky and the Needles areas are especially kid-friendly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the National Park Service helps kids get the most out of their visit, through the Junior Ranger program available at two loacations<\/g> in the park. This educational program offers badges and certificates for completing certain tasks and activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About the Canyonlands National Park <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Canyonlands
Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky Entrance <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Although Canyonlands National Park is the largest national park in the United States, it is one of the more remotely located. But it is worth the trip for the vast canyons, scenic buttes, amazing arches, and Colorado River. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will find plenty of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, off-road driving, and camping. In addition, the park\u2019s rivers offer fun boating and rafting. You can discover dinosaur tracks and petroglyphs if that’s what you are interested in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canyonlands National Park is divided into districts by the rivers that flow through the park. The districts are Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. All have a desert atmosphere, but each has its own distinct features and visitor center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The park provides a downloadable set of maps of the districts, available at the National Park website here. <\/a> We reccomend<\/g> using these maps to plan your visit and to drive rahter<\/g> than GPS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Island in the Sky District<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Island in the Sky<\/a> <\/strong>district, which is most popular with families, is where our family has spent the most time. It is located at the northern end of the park and easily accessible from Moab or Arches Naitonal<\/g> Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The entrance is only 10 miles (16 km) north of Moab or 22 miles (35 km) south of I-70 on US 191. It is also withing a halof<\/g> hour from Arches National Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Family enjoying Musselman Arch Trail in Canyonlands National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Island in the Sky is situated on a mesa with sheer sandstone cliffs rising over 1,000 feet above the river valley. You can enjoy a scenic drive along the mesa while stopping at the overlooks to get spectacular views of the Colorado and Green River Valleys. It is home to the famous Mesa Arch and Grand Point View and other easy hikes for kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Needles District<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Needles district is located near the southeastern side of the park and is accessible but more remote than Island in the Sky. Named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone<\/a>. It is a good place for sightseeing, hiking or four-wheel driving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needles has short kid friendly hikes, prehistoric rock art and a cowboy camp that are exciting for families. The best hikes for kids include the Roadside Ruins (0.3 miles), Cave Spring (0.6 miles), Pothole Point (0.6 miles) and Slickrock Trail (2.4 miles). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Maze District<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The third district is the Maze, located on the western side of the park is th<\/g> least accessible. It is only reachable from the west following long unpaved roads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This district is the most challenging one in the park and requires a certain degree of self-sufficiency. It is therefore not recommended for families with children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Canyonlands Rivers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Views
Views of Canyonlands National Park – Credit Depositphotos oscity. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Colorado River and the Green River that flow through Canyonlands National Park are the fourth district. The rivers and their tributaries are responsible for carving the spectacular canyons posing layers of sandstone cliffs in the park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rivers provide for a different and cooler experience of the park. Paddling the calm waters of Green River through Stillwater Canyon comes highly rated thing to do in Canyonlands by families who have taken their kids on this adventure.  National Parks Traveler has an article about Running the Rivers<\/a> in Canyonlands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing to consider while planning your trip that the park covers 527 square miles, so planning in travel time is important! In fact, you will most likely not be able to see everything you want to see in one trip to Canyonlands, so think of what you\u2019d most like to see and do. And if traveling with kids, I recommend focusing on the Islands in the Sky and\/or the Needles Districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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History of the Canyonlands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Canyonlands National Park consists of 337,598 acres of desert wilderness in Northern Utah. Its many valleys and natural wonders were shaped over the centuries by the Colorado River, Green River and the tributaries (and other natural forces). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The area has been visited and inhabited by people for 10,000 years. Ancient nomadic people left rock art and structures throughout the park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was only in the twentieth century, though, that it became a protected natural area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The area was first established as a tourist site in 1936 with the designation of the Escalante National Monument by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Between the 1950s and 1960s, there was a public movement to make the whole area a national park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1964, President Lyndon D. Johnson signed a bill into law that established the Canyonlands National Park. Horseshoe Canyon area was added as a park district in 1971.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Plan Your Visit to Canyonlands <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Canyonlands National Park is vast and full of things to do with kids. If you are visiting the Moab Area<\/a>, I reccomend<\/g> you plan a visit to Canyonlands for at least one day and up to 3 days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Permits are required for daily and overnight visits to the park, and additional permits required for some activities like boating and camping. See the park website for further details<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scenic Drive Canyonlands National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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When to Visit <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although the Canyonlands National park is open in all seasons, it\u2019s important to take weather conditions into consideration when planning your visit. This area is the \u201chigh desert\u201d which means hot summers, cold winters, and rapid temperature shifts by as much as forty degrees Fahrenheit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wintertime can be nice to visit if you like less<\/g> crowds. Keep in mind, though, that there are also less<\/g> services (though always some park ranger presence). During winter, temperatures can be as high as 40-50 degrees F during the day and can drop well below freezing (20 to 0 degree F) at night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dress in layers, and be prepared for the weather. During our last Moab vacation at the end of November, we woke to 4 inches of snow! The snow and ice can make trails hazardous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the summer highs can range from the 80s to over 100 degree Fahrenheit. Summer visits therefore also require some special planning. Between the months of June and August, avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day when possible. And of course, always drink plenty of water. Late summer has thunderstorms and flash flooding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best time to visit<\/strong> Canyonlands National Park is spring or fall, when temperatures are relatively moderate, averaging 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. We have enjoyed our visits in November with warm sunny days and very few people in the parks. For current conditions, see NPS weather.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Getting to Canyonlands <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you travel to the Canyonlands National Park, expect to do a lot of driving. The Park can be reached by car from U.S. 191, which connects to I-70. <\/p>\n\n\n\n