Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is located in the southeastern corner of Utah.  The national park covers an area of 527 square miles (1,364.9 sq km).  Canyonlands combines with Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park to highlight the natural beauty of the state.

The park is renowned for its abundant canyons, buttes, mesas, and spectacular desert landscapes.  The Colorado River and the Green River along with their tributaries have carved through the Colorado Plateau creating these endless breathtaking landscapes.

The national park is separated into four regions.  These regions or districts include the Island in the Sky, the Maze, the Needles, and the two rivers.  Although each features its own ecological aspects, there is a common denominator of arid desert characteristics amongst them all.

A scenic road, known as White Rim Road, cut across the park in between the river region and the Island in the Sky.  This road is popular among cyclists and four-wheelers.

Cataract Canyon was created by the Colorado River and serves as part of the boundary to the Island in the Sky district.  This district provides scenic vistas viewing the White Rim and the rivers below.

Most of the arches are remote and require extensive hikes or four-wheel-drive excursions to experience them.  Horseshoe Canyon is part of the Maze district and it features historical rock paintings that add intrigue and cultural history to the natural beauty of the park.

The plant life is abundant as well but reflective of arid desert zones.  The desert atmosphere features 11 different cactus species with several other wildflowers and shrubs.  The Utah juniper and pinyon pine are some of the common trees found across the park.

The park is home to over 270 species of birds with a good number of predator species gracing the skies.  Both the powerful golden eagle and majestic bald eagles are found in Canyonlands.  The popular wildlife of the park includes badger, bats, black bears, bobcat, cougar, coyote, elk, mule deer, ring-tailed cat, and skunk.