Canyonlands National Park is a dramatic wilderness of canyons and buttes carved over millennia by the Colorado River. The colorful sandstone spires that form The Needles are among the park’s most famous landmarks.

Canyonlands may be explored on foot, horseback, mountain bike, or four-wheel drive. Horseshoe Canyon, located within a detached portion of the Park, was added specifically to protect the 8,000-year-old Barrier Canyon pictographs found on the canyon walls.

Canyonlands is a desert, and hydration is essential, even in the winter. Drink at least a gallon of water per day, and be aware that there are only a few water filling stations in the park. During the summer, expect high temperatures and intense sunlight. Apply sunscreen to exposed skin, and wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Canyonlands is isolated and primitive, and you may need to drive more than 50 miles to find food, gas, lodging, or medical services. Cellular services are not available in many areas of the park.