St. George to Canyonlands National Park
Part of Utah's Mighty 5, Canyonlands is a vast wilderness of canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. From the towering Island in the Sky mesa to the remote Needles rock spires, this is Utah at its most raw and expansive.
I-15 N to I-70 E to US-191 S (Moab)
310 miles
Distance
4 hr 30 min
Drive Time
northeast
Direction
March-May, September-November
Best Time
3,700-6,987 feet elevation
Driving from St. George to Canyonlands National Park
Route: I-15 N to I-70 E to US-191 S (Moab)
Head north on I-15 through Cedar City and Scipio to I-70 East. Follow I-70 through the stunning San Rafael Swell to Crescent Junction (Exit 182), then take US-191 South for 28 miles to Moab. From Moab, the Island in the Sky visitor center is 32 miles northwest via UT-313. The Needles district is accessed from UT-211, 40 miles south of Moab on US-191.
About Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is the largest national park in Utah, encompassing 337,598 acres of dramatic desert canyon terrain carved over millions of years by the Colorado and Green Rivers. The park is divided into four distinct districts — Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves — each offering a vastly different experience. Unlike its compact neighbor Arches, Canyonlands is defined by vastness: endless overlooks dropping 1,000 feet to the canyon floor, remote backcountry roads requiring high-clearance 4WD, and a sense of solitude that has largely vanished from America's more popular parks.
The drive from St. George takes approximately four and a half hours, following I-15 North and I-70 East through the San Rafael Swell before dropping south on US-191 to Moab. The Island in the Sky district — the most accessible and visited — sits atop a massive mesa between the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. From Grand View Point, you can see 100 miles in every direction across a landscape of layered rock, standing pinnacles, and winding river canyons. Mesa Arch, a modest-sized arch perched on the canyon rim, frames a sunrise view that has become one of the most photographed scenes in the American West.
The Needles district, accessed from a separate entrance 75 miles from Moab, offers a completely different experience. Here, colorful sandstone spires, arches, and grabens (collapsed rock valleys) create an intricate landscape best explored on foot. Trails wind through narrow slot canyons and across open meadows between towering formations. For the truly adventurous, The Maze district on the west side of the rivers is one of the most remote and inaccessible areas in the continental United States, requiring multiple days and expert navigation skills. The rivers themselves provide unforgettable rafting experiences through Cataract Canyon's Class III-V rapids below the confluence.
Gas Stops Along the Way
- Cedar City — 52 miles / 55 min (full services)
- Salina — 170 miles / 2 hr 15 min (CRITICAL — last full services before Green River)
- Green River — 280 miles / 3 hr 30 min (gas, food — no services for 110 miles on I-70 before here)
Weather & Climate
Canyonlands has an arid desert climate with dramatic temperature swings between day and night. Summer highs reach 100-110°F with relentless sun and no shade on most trails. Winter lows can drop below 20°F with occasional snow. Spring and fall are ideal at 55-80°F with clear skies. July through September brings afternoon monsoon thunderstorms that can cause flash flooding in narrow canyons. The exposed mesa tops are always windier than canyon bottoms.
Best Time to Visit
March-May, September-November
Spring and fall offer the best hiking conditions with daytime highs of 55-80°F and cool nights. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F with virtually no shade on trails, making midday hiking dangerous. Winter brings cold temperatures (20-45°F) and occasional snow that dusts the red rock landscapes for stunning photography. Spring wildflowers bloom in April along canyon bottoms.
Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park
From outdoor adventures to dining, here is everything worth experiencing when you visit Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
Island in the Sky
Mesa Arch
$30/vehicle park entryA short 0.5-mile round-trip hike to one of the most photographed arches in Utah. Perched on the edge of a 500-foot cliff, Mesa Arch frames a stunning sunrise view of the canyon below with the La Sal Mountains in the background. Arrive 30 minutes before sunrise for the best position.
Grand View Point
Included with entryThe signature overlook of Island in the Sky, offering 100-mile panoramic views across the canyonlands. A 2-mile round-trip trail follows the mesa rim past multiple viewpoints. The sheer drop and infinite horizon create one of the most awe-inspiring vistas in the national park system.
Upheaval Dome
Included with entryA mysterious 3-mile-wide crater that scientists debate is either a collapsed salt dome or a meteorite impact site. Two overlooks are accessible via a 1.8-mile round-trip trail. The colorful exposed rock layers and unusual geology make it unlike anything else in the park.
White Rim Road
Permit requiredA legendary 100-mile 4WD loop road that follows a sandstone bench 1,200 feet below Island in the Sky and 1,000 feet above the river. Typically driven as a 2-3 day trip with backcountry camping permits. Mountain biking the White Rim is a bucket-list adventure.
Permits required — reserve well in advance at recreation.gov
The Needles
Chesler Park Loop
$30/vehicle park entryA stunning 11-mile loop trail through the heart of the Needles district. The trail passes through narrow slot canyons, across open grassland meadows ringed by colorful sandstone spires, and over slickrock passes with expansive views. One of the best day hikes in Utah.
Elephant Hill 4WD Trail
Included with entryOne of Utah's most challenging and famous 4WD routes. The trail climbs, drops, and twists through tight rock passages and steep slickrock switchbacks. Provides access to remote arches, ruins, and overlooks in the southern Needles. High-clearance 4WD required.
Cave Spring Trail
Included with entryA short 0.6-mile loop trail visiting a historic cowboy camp and Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs beneath a rock alcove. Two short ladder climbs add adventure, and the trail crosses slickrock with canyon views. Great for families.
Druid Arch
Included with entryA strenuous 10.8-mile round-trip hike through Elephant Canyon to one of the most dramatic arches in Utah. The massive Druid Arch resembles a Stonehenge-like structure perched above a sandstone amphitheater. A final ladder and scramble section leads to the viewpoint.
Rivers & Rafting
Colorado River Scenic Float
$75-$150/personHalf-day and full-day flatwater float trips on the Colorado River above the confluence. Glide through towering red rock canyon walls with opportunities to spot wildlife, ancient rock art, and side canyon hikes. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
Cataract Canyon Whitewater
$800-$1,500/personBelow the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers, Cataract Canyon delivers 14 miles of Class III-V rapids through the heart of Canyonlands. Multi-day trips (3-4 days) combine flatwater floating with adrenaline-pumping whitewater and backcountry camping.
Green River Canoe Trip
$50-$100/day rentalA mellow multi-day canoe or kayak trip on the Green River through Stillwater Canyon, ending at the confluence with the Colorado. Calm water, stunning scenery, and designated beach campsites make this an accessible backcountry river experience.
Practical Info & Camping
Willow Flat Campground (Island in the Sky)
$15/nightA small 12-site first-come, first-served campground on Island in the Sky mesa. No water, no hookups — bring everything you need. Sites are spread among juniper trees with partial shade. Fills up early during peak season.
Squaw Flat Campground (Needles)
$20/nightThe Needles district campground with 26 sites nestled among sandstone formations. Some sites are reservable, others are first-come. Vault toilets and potable water available during season. Beautiful setting surrounded by rock spires.
Dead Horse Point State Park Campground
$35-$110/nightLocated near the Island in the Sky entrance, Dead Horse Point offers 21 sites with electric hookups plus a yurt village. Water and restrooms available. A good base camp for exploring both Canyonlands and Arches.
Backcountry Permits
$30-$50All overnight backcountry camping, the White Rim Road, and the Maze district require advance permits from the NPS. Permits are competitive for popular routes — apply months ahead. Day-use permits are also required for some Needles 4WD roads.
Apply early at recreation.gov — popular permits fill fast
Travel Tips for the St. George to Canyonlands National Park Drive
Island in the Sky is the most accessible district — if you only have one day, go here for Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, and Green River Overlook
The Needles district is 75 miles from Moab via a separate entrance — plan a separate day if you want to explore both districts
Bring all water and food — there are no services inside the park beyond the visitor centers
White Rim Road permits and backcountry camping spots sell out months in advance during spring and fall
Cell service is nonexistent in most of the park — download offline maps before your trip
If visiting in spring or fall, combine with Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point for a complete 3-4 day Moab trip
Frequently Asked Questions: St. George to Canyonlands National Park
How far is Canyonlands National Park from St. George?
Canyonlands National Park is approximately 310 miles (4 hours 30 minutes) from St. George. Take I-15 North to I-70 East, then US-191 South to Moab. The Island in the Sky district entrance is 32 miles northwest of Moab via UT-313. The Needles district entrance is about 75 miles from Moab via US-191 South and UT-211.
What is the difference between Island in the Sky and the Needles?
Island in the Sky sits atop a massive mesa with dramatic overlooks and is the most accessible district — great for a half-day or full-day visit with short walks to viewpoints. The Needles is a more intimate, hands-on experience with longer hiking trails winding through colorful sandstone spires, slot canyons, and hidden meadows. Island in the Sky is about grand vistas; the Needles is about immersive exploration.
Do I need a permit for Canyonlands?
A standard $30 vehicle entry fee covers day-use access to Island in the Sky and the Needles. However, permits are required for all overnight backcountry camping, the White Rim Road (4WD), and the Maze district. Day-use permits are also needed for some Needles 4WD roads. Reserve permits well in advance through recreation.gov during spring and fall.
Can I visit both Arches and Canyonlands in one day?
It is possible but rushed. A common strategy is to visit Mesa Arch for sunrise and Grand View Point in Canyonlands' Island in the Sky district in the morning, then drive to Arches for the afternoon and hike Delicate Arch at sunset. This gives you highlights of both parks but is a very full day. Ideally, plan two separate days.
Nearby Destinations from Canyonlands National Park
Moab
The adventure capital of Utah, home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, legendary mountain biking, world-class rock climbing, and Colorado River rafting. Moab delivers adrenaline-pumping outdoor experiences in a jaw-dropping desert landscape.
Arches National Park
Home to over 2,000 natural stone arches including the iconic Delicate Arch, Arches National Park offers one of the most concentrated collections of natural arches in the world. Red rock fins, towers, and balanced rocks create an otherworldly landscape.
Dead Horse Point
One of the most spectacular overlooks in the American West — a 2,000-foot sheer drop to the Colorado River's dramatic gooseneck bend below. This Utah state park rivals any national park viewpoint and was the filming location for the final scene of Thelma & Louise.
Goblin Valley State Park
An otherworldly landscape of thousands of mushroom-shaped rock formations called "goblins" rising from the desert floor. One of Utah's most unique and kid-friendly state parks, plus a certified International Dark Sky Park for world-class stargazing.
Complete Guide: Driving from St. George to Canyonlands National Park
St. George to Canyonlands National Park — 310 miles, 4 hr 30 min Drive
Canyonlands National Park is the largest national park in Utah, encompassing 337,598 acres of dramatic desert canyon terrain carved over millions of years by the Colorado and Green Rivers. The park is divided into four distinct districts — Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves — each offering a vastly different experience. Unlike its compact neighbor Arches, Canyonlands is defined by vastness: endless overlooks dropping 1,000 feet to the canyon floor, remote backcountry roads requiring high-clearance 4WD, and a sense of solitude that has largely vanished from America's more popular parks.
The route from St. George, Utah to Canyonlands National Park, Utah covers 310 miles and takes approximately 4 hr 30 min via I-15 N to I-70 E to US-191 S (Moab). Head north on I-15 through Cedar City and Scipio to I-70 East. Follow I-70 through the stunning San Rafael Swell to Crescent Junction (Exit 182), then take US-191 South for 28 miles to Moab. From Moab, the Island in the Sky visitor center is 32 miles northwest via UT-313. The Needles district is accessed from UT-211, 40 miles south of Moab on US-191.
Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park
Island in the Sky: Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, Upheaval Dome. The Needles: Chesler Park Loop, Elephant Hill 4WD Trail, Cave Spring Trail. Rivers & Rafting: Colorado River Scenic Float, Cataract Canyon Whitewater, Green River Canoe Trip. Practical Info & Camping: Willow Flat Campground (Island in the Sky), Squaw Flat Campground (Needles), Dead Horse Point State Park Campground.
Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park
Spring and fall offer the best hiking conditions with daytime highs of 55-80°F and cool nights. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F with virtually no shade on trails, making midday hiking dangerous. Winter brings cold temperatures (20-45°F) and occasional snow that dusts the red rock landscapes for stunning photography. Spring wildflowers bloom in April along canyon bottoms.
Travel Tips
Island in the Sky is the most accessible district — if you only have one day, go here for Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, and Green River Overlook. The Needles district is 75 miles from Moab via a separate entrance — plan a separate day if you want to explore both districts. Bring all water and food — there are no services inside the park beyond the visitor centers. White Rim Road permits and backcountry camping spots sell out months in advance during spring and fall.
For more things to do near St. George, explore our Things to Do guide, browse the Events Calendar, or discover local businesses in the St. George Business Directory. Check out all road trip destinations from St. George including Moab, Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point.