Canyonlands National Park

First thing's first: this park is massive. You’ll need to log some serious hours here to see it all. This park is divided into districts. Start out by choosing the one that fascinates you the most.

First timers should start with Island in the Sky, the easiest region to reach. It’s the first place you’ll likely drive through if you’re coming from Moab. It has tons of scenic overlooks that give you a great birds-eye view of the park—and these overlooks really give you a good sense of how massive this place is.

Backcountry enthusiasts should head to the Needles, where the hiking is top notch. If you really want to get away from it all, head over to the Maze. It’s remote. It’s raw. It’s downright gorgeous. If you’re adequately prepared, you’ll be good to go. 

Hiking isn’t the only activity on the agenda, either. You can take a whitewater trip on one of the rivers in Glen Canyon, and it’s a great way to see another side of the park. Canyonlands has two campgrounds. Island in the Sky Campground is first-come, first-served, while the Needles Outpost Campground is reservable. You can also venture out into the wild for some backcountry camping by foot, boat, or 4WD vehicle.