We only scheduled one day to visit Canyonlands National Park. We soon learned, this was a mistake. And with only one day to explore, we had to focus our energy on the Island in the Sky district. Even with that small slice of the park, it completely stole our hearts.
The drive in hinted that we were in for something extraordinary, but nothing could have prepared us for our first stop, Shafer Canyon Overlook. As we stepped out of the car, we were met with a view so vast, so rugged, and so dramatic that it took our breath away. Towering cliffs plunged into deep canyons, and the desert stretched endlessly in every direction.
Once I caught my breath, mom mode kicked in. The cliffs here are no joke, and while the boys were excited to explore, my thoughts were filled with a picture of someone slipping off the edge. We paused for a family safety moment… stay close, no running, and always keep a hand in ours when near the drop-offs. From that point forward, it became a hand-holding kind of day. And with that we saw the next overlook, Buck Canyon, and we were back at peace.
Our first hike was a gentle 1 mile roundtrip to Mesa Arch, perched right on the edge of a cliff. The arch itself was striking, but what made it spectacular was the view through it… a window to a canyon so vast and layered it looked like a painting come to life. We couldn’t believe how much beauty was packed into such a short trail.
Next up was the White Rim Overlook Trail, a two-mile hike that brought us to one of the most stunning views of our entire trip… Gooseberry Canyon. From the overlook, we were surrounded on all sides by deep chasms and winding ridges, the kind of scenery that stretches all the way to the horizon and beyond. I felt small and infinite at the same time. The boys, of course, were more focused on climbing the nearby rocks and spotting lizards sunbathing on the rock. The trail was peaceful, a perfect blend of beauty and serenity, and just challenging enough to keep things exciting.
We stopped for lunch at the Grand View Point Overlook, soaking in the sun and the view while the boys completed their Junior Ranger books to get their second badge for the trip. And we prepared for our final and most ambitious hike of the day… Upheaval Dome. At first glance, the 2-mile trail didn’t seem too tough. The first overlook gave us a glimpse of the massive crater at the center of the dome, its mysterious shape and bright colors hinting at an otherworldly origin. Scientists think it might’ve been caused by a meteor impact. We debated other crazy options as well, including alien ship wreck. The second overlook promised even better views, and we couldn’t resist. The climb was steep and rocky, but the reward was worth every step: a panoramic view of the entire mysterious crater.
By the end of the day, we were dusty, tired, and completely enchanted. We only scratched the surface of this enormous park, but Canyonlands quickly became our favorite of the Mighty Five. Something about the scale, the solitude, and the sense of ancient mystery left us in awe. We’ll definitely be back. There’s so much more to explore. But for now, we set our sights on our next stop… Capitol Reef National Park.
Until next time,
