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    A different kind of grief. 📍Mount Fremont Fire A different kind of grief.

📍Mount Fremont Fire Lookout in Mount Rainier National Park
    I’m tired. 😭😂 Okayyyy so this all may be I’m tired.

😭😂

Okayyyy so this all may be true, but without Instagram, I never would have started my travel blog over at indigosahara.com, which has had over a MILLION readers.

And I am so thankful for that.

But yeahhh I’m tired. 💀

Follow @indigosahara for daily travel tips + destination guides!! 🤣
    I am girls. 🧺 I am girls. 🧺
    Those are happy tears btw. ✈️ Just booked a b Those are happy tears btw. ✈️

Just booked a business class lay-flat seat from the USA to Japan for $32.69. Yes, really. 🤯

How?

Easy.

First, I opened one new travel credit card with flexible points and responsibly earned the card’s opening bonus.

Then, after I got a @thriftytraveler email alert for Delta One award availability from the USA to Japan, I transferred those flexible points to an airline transfer partner (in this case, Flying Blue to book a Delta One flight through Air France).

Boom. 89,500 points (which is a bargain, by the way) + $32.69 out of pocket later…

I got myself a biz class flight worth $7000 for less than the cost of our Chipotle order. 💸

Want access to my free beginner guide to points and miles? Comment “Beginner” and I’ll send it over ASAP.
    Yesterday I saw a reel that said, “You hit your Yesterday I saw a reel that said, “You hit your mid 20s and you’re sorted into 1 of 4 houses: 

1. Marathon training.
2. Japan trip.
3. Fantasy books.
4. Cooking everything from scratch.”

Personally… My Japan hotels and flights are booked for November. Also, Kenny’s cooking everything from scratch, and I’m reaping the benefits. 😭😂

Hbu
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Half Day In Canyonlands National Park: How To See Everything In A Few Hours

By: Indigo Sahara, M.A. | Published: February 9, 2022 | Updated: February 4, 2024

As the name suggests, Canyonlands is home to thousands of marvelous Utah canyons. Even if you are only able to spend a half day in Canyonlands National Park, stopping here is essential on your Moab trip.

And, surprisingly, you don’t need a lot of time to explore the whole park.

Half Day In Canyonlands National Park
Half Day In Canyonlands National Park: How To See Everything In A Few Hours

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Can You Do Canyonlands In Half A Day?
  • How Much Time Do You Need At Canyonlands National Park?
  • What Can You Do In A Half Day In Canyonlands?
  • What To Bring For A Half Day In Canyonlands National Park
  • Can You Just Drive Through Canyonlands?
  • Is There A Scenic Drive In Canyonlands?
  • More Things To Do Near Canyonlands National Park
  • Save This Post For Later

Can You Do Canyonlands In Half A Day?

Yes, you can absolutely do Canyonlands in half a day and still fully experience the national park.

How Much Time Do You Need At Canyonlands National Park?

Two-three hours.

Although you could spend a couple whole days in Canyonlands National Park trekking the backcountry and canyon floors, you really only need 2-3 hours to see the most famous arches and canyons.

Similarly, Canyonlands National Park is one of the best U.S. national parks for non-hikers, as the majority of the best views don’t require any hiking time.

Canyonlands National Park Half Day Itinerary

What Can You Do In A Half Day In Canyonlands?

1. Hike To The Most Photographed Arch In Utah, Mesa Arch (Half Day In Canyonlands National Park)

Start your half day in Canyonlands National Park by hiking to the legendary Mesa Arch.

Mesa Arch requires a brief 0.7-mile hike to reach. Although the hike involves some uneven rocky terrain, people of any hiking level should be able to reach Mesa Arch with ease.

Expect to spend about one hour at Mesa Arch including hike time. You can find a map of the Mesa Arch trail here.

Canyonlands National Park one day

In addition, Mesa Arch is the most photographed arch in all of Utah. (This means you definitely will not want to skip this hike.)

In fact, travel photographers flock to Mesa Arch every morning in hopes of capturing the sunrise that peaks just under the arch, just beyond the canyon. If you’re up for a pre-sunrise hike, the photos will definitely be worthwhile — even though the arch will likely be crowded.

If you’re not a morning person, don’t worry! You can still take an incredible photo of Mesa Arch. Try finding a unique angle or striking a silly pose if you’re aiming for a less touristy photograph.

Or, put your camera/phone away and simply enjoy all the uniqueness that makes up Mesa Arch.

One Day In Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands half day tour
Half Day In Canyonlands National Park: How To See Everything In A Few Hours

2. See Shafer Canyon Overlook (Half Day In Canyonlands National Park)

The good news about Canyonlands National Park is that the majority of its attractions don’t require any hiking at all. In fact, all of the best views in Canyonlands besides Mesa Arch are parking-lot pull-offs.

Shafer Canyon Overlook is the first of these epic locations, boasting a viral view of a huge dirt-road-filled Shafer Trail canyon.

Expect to spend around 10 minutes here at Shafer Canyon Overlook to take in the magnificent landscape.

Canyonlands National Park half-day tour from Moab
Canyonlands National Park one day

3. Buck Canyon Overlook (Half Day In Canyonlands National Park)

Next, Buck Canyon Overlook (another parking-lot pull-off) consists of a vast distant canyon that quite literally looks like a crack in the earth.

While maroon colored canyons spread across the other overlooks as far as the eye can see, this overlook features a giant whiteish canyon, also known as Buck Canyon, that sticks out among the red saturation.

Moreover, Buck Canyon will have you fearlessly romanticizing an earthquake and picturing the ground quite literally cracking in half — in a matter of seconds. You will only need a few minutes here to enjoy the touristy overlook.

Half Day In Canyonlands National Park

4. Candlestick Tower Overlook (Half Day In Canyonlands National Park)

Lastly, Candlestick Tower Overlook is home to another seemingly unending canyon.

(Again, this overlook requires no hike, just a pull-off.)

The especially noteworthy part of this particular canyon that differentiates it from the others is the red-rock candlestick tower that steals the show in the distance.

Canyonlands National Park sunset

Candlestick Tower Overlook is the best spot in Canyonlands for sunset, as the sun sets just beyond the featured canyon.

So, if you are spending your half day in Canyonlands National Park in the afternoon/evening, you will probably want to pack a picnic dinner and allot at least 30 minutes to watch the sunset here.

Otherwise, plan to spend 5-10 minutes at this overlook.

Canyonlands National Park sunset

What To Bring For A Half Day In Canyonlands National Park

Luckily, because Canyonlands doesn’t solicit much hiking, you do not need a lot of gear or preparation to visit the park.

With that in mind, here are a few things you won’t want to forget.

  1. Your America the Beautiful annual park pass or $30 per vehicle for the Canyonlands entrance fee.
  2. Plenty of water.
  3. Snacks and/or a packed picnic.
  4. Sunscreen. The sun is harsh in the Moab desert!
  5. Hiking boots or comfortable walking shoes.

Pro tip: If you plan on visiting other Utah national parks on your Canyonlands trip, consider purchasing the Southeast Utah Parks Pass ($55 and valid for one month) or the America the Beautiful annual federal park pass ($80 and valid for one year) to save some cash.

You can find more information about the entrance fee to Canyonlands as well as the nearby national parks here.

Can You Just Drive Through Canyonlands?

Yes, you can just drive through Canyonlands National Park.

Because the park is mainly a series of scenic pull-offs and overlooks (as described in this article), it is very easy to drive through Canyonlands and see everything the park has to offer.

Is There A Scenic Drive In Canyonlands?

Yes, there’s a 34-mile scenic drive in Canyonlands called Island in the Sky. The Island in the Sky district consists of various pull-offs, overlooks (including those listed in this article), hiking trailhead and a visitor center.

In addition to Mesa Arch, Shafer Canyon Overlook, Buck Canyon Overlook and Candlestick Tower Overlook, the Island in the Sky scenic drive features other popular Canyonlands attractions like the Upheaval Dome and Grand View Point Overlook.

You can download the official PDF map of the scenic drive here, as recommended by the National Park Service, so you know your GPS won’t take you in the wrong direction.

Canyonlands Half Day Itinerary
Half Day In Canyonlands National Park: How To See Everything In A Few Hours

More Things To Do Near Canyonlands National Park

8 Underrated Free Things To Do In Moab, Utah
18 Moab Instagram Spots For Epic Photos (With Map)
Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Itinerary
Pink Lake Utah: Directions, Address & What To Know
12 Things To Do In Zion National Park Besides Hiking

Save This Post For Later

Tap any photo to save this post to Pinterest for later reference.

How To Spend A Half Day In Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park One Day Or Less
Canyonlands Half Day Itinerary

By: Indigo Sahara, M.A.

About Indigo Sahara, M.A.

Indigo Sahara, M.A., is the founder and CEO of the Indigo Sahara travel blog. Since earning her master's degree in global leadership, she has traveled to more than 20 countries. Now, her goal is to make travel accessible to all by teaching others how to travel on a budget. She writes world travel guides and travel hacking tips weekly.

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  1. 8 Underrated Free Things To Do In Moab, Utah - Indigo Sahara says:
    February 10, 2022 at 8:14 pm

    […] Moab’s national parks — Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park — typically have an entrance fee of at least $30, the National Park Service does offer […]

    Reply
  2. 18 Moab Instagram Spots For Epic Photos (With Map) - Indigo Sahara says:
    February 10, 2022 at 8:15 pm

    […] Moab Instagram Spots In Canyonlands National Park […]

    Reply
  3. Unique Things To Do In Utah - Indigo Sahara says:
    January 9, 2023 at 8:16 am

    […] rainbow mountains in Utah are scattered between Capitol Reef National Park and Canyonlands National Park, with the most colorful hills northeast of Capitol Reef and just west of Hanksville, Utah. You […]

    Reply

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I'm Indigo, a 27-year-old full-time travel blogger who's on a mission to make travel accessible to all through budget travel tips and bucket list destination guides.

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A different kind of grief. 📍Mount Fremont Fire A different kind of grief.

📍Mount Fremont Fire Lookout in Mount Rainier National Park
I’m tired. 😭😂 Okayyyy so this all may be I’m tired.

😭😂

Okayyyy so this all may be true, but without Instagram, I never would have started my travel blog over at indigosahara.com, which has had over a MILLION readers.

And I am so thankful for that.

But yeahhh I’m tired. 💀

Follow @indigosahara for daily travel tips + destination guides!! 🤣
I am girls. 🧺 I am girls. 🧺
Those are happy tears btw. ✈️ Just booked a b Those are happy tears btw. ✈️

Just booked a business class lay-flat seat from the USA to Japan for $32.69. Yes, really. 🤯

How?

Easy.

First, I opened one new travel credit card with flexible points and responsibly earned the card’s opening bonus.

Then, after I got a @thriftytraveler email alert for Delta One award availability from the USA to Japan, I transferred those flexible points to an airline transfer partner (in this case, Flying Blue to book a Delta One flight through Air France).

Boom. 89,500 points (which is a bargain, by the way) + $32.69 out of pocket later…

I got myself a biz class flight worth $7000 for less than the cost of our Chipotle order. 💸

Want access to my free beginner guide to points and miles? Comment “Beginner” and I’ll send it over ASAP.
Yesterday I saw a reel that said, “You hit your Yesterday I saw a reel that said, “You hit your mid 20s and you’re sorted into 1 of 4 houses: 

1. Marathon training.
2. Japan trip.
3. Fantasy books.
4. Cooking everything from scratch.”

Personally… My Japan hotels and flights are booked for November. Also, Kenny’s cooking everything from scratch, and I’m reaping the benefits. 😭😂

Hbu

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