# Must Do Day Hikes in Canyonlands National Park

- URL: https://meemish.com/must-do-day-hikes-in-canyonlands-national-park/
- Published: June 16, 2020 (2020-06-16)
- Author: meemish
- Categories: List
- Tags: family hikes in utah, get out stay out, Hiking, hiking in utah, National Parks, utah hike, Utah National Parks, utah road trips

> Canyonlands National Park contains three districts; Island in the Sky, The Needles and The Maze. The Maze district is more rugged and contains multi-day…

Canyonlands National Park contains three districts; Island in the Sky, The Needles and The Maze. The Maze district is more rugged and contains multi-day excursions. Each district has separate entrances, so for day hiking, plan your trip for either Island in the Sky or The Needles.

## Island In The Sky

### 1. Whale Rock: 1 mile

![Whale Rock](https://meemish.com/_astro/img_1613.FCENyQ2M_ZOIUNy.webp)

If you like to scramble up slick rock, then this is the hike for you. Whale rock somewhat looks a whale, but what it lacks in resemblance it makes up for in unique hiking and grand views.

### 2. Mesa Arch: .5 miles

![Whale Rock Sign](https://meemish.com/_astro/img_1604.CceJIQ2p_ZdKR3K.webp)

This is a hike for all ages. It is a short hike to a beautiful arch, framing spectacular views.

### 3. Upheaval Dome: 1st overlook .8 miles, second overlook 1.8 miles

![Upheaval Dome](https://meemish.com/_astro/extra_large_f5a76e37b95d60fe68880a0f158e4a33.BcRyc_gj_Z22JkI8.webp)

A short but steep hike to view the mysterious crater lined with jagged spires.

### 4. Aztec Butte: 2 miles

![Aztec Butte](https://meemish.com/_astro/aztec_butte.BPiQCuB0_Z17RJSJ.webp)

Meander through a sandy wash until you come to a fork in the trail. The eastern fork leads to spectacular views, the western fork leads to 800 year old Puebloan granaries. Both forks contain scrambling over slickrock and ledges.

### 5. Grandview Point: 2 miles

![Grandview Point](https://meemish.com/_astro/grandview_point.BROSzQpK_Z1B7CXF.webp)

Plan to start this hike an hour before sunset and enjoy the last light of the day saying goodnight to the spectacular panoramic view of the land. Make sure you have a flashlight for the hike back.

### 6. Murphy Point: 3.6 miles

![Murphy Point](https://meemish.com/_astro/murphy_point.D-59F1Wq_Z1tztdm.webp)

This longer hike leads to unforgettable views of Candlestick Tower, Green River and White Rim Road.

## Needles

### 1. Roadside Ruins: .3 miles

![Roadside Ruins](https://meemish.com/_astro/roadside_ruins.xiCKSlNk_1Efvht.webp)

A short trail educating about how the Indians used the native plants. The trail ends with an ancient Puebloan granary, where their bounty was stored.

### 2. Cave Spring: .6 miles

![Cave Spring](https://meemish.com/_astro/cave_spring.BBBI28OS_ZfXMpo.webp)

This short loop includes a historic cowboy camp, prehistoric rock paintings, a rare year-round spring, and two ladders to climb.

### 3. Pothole Point Trail: .6 miles

![Pothole Point Trail](https://meemish.com/_astro/pothole_point.DENgqaOR_1cUcEN.webp)

Potholes along this slickrock trail, fill with rainwater and creates a perfect environment for microlife such as horsehair worms, snails, tadpoles and fairy shrimp. Who doesn't want to see fairy shrimp?

### 4. Slickrock Trail: 2.4 miles

![Slickrock Trail](https://meemish.com/_astro/slickrock_trail.BYjXKP7f_Z2hiEo3.webp)

360 degree views of the park, need I say more?

Now, Go. See. Do.

~meemish