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Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah is one of the state’s five amazing national parks. It’s often overshadowed by the nearby Arches National Park. While Arches should definitely be visited, Canyonlands National Park hikes are just as spectacular. They are usually not as busy either!

Canyonlands is gigantic and feels more remote. It is divided into four regions: Island in the Sky, The Needles, the Maze, and the Rivers (Green River & Colorado River). All the regions have distinct features, but share similar red rock desert landscapes.

Island in the Sky Canyonlands sits atop a mesa and is the highest section of the park. It’s full of epic viewpoints to see the park from different angles and hikes down into the canyons. It is the easiest district to reach and about a 40 minute drive from Moab. Base yourself in Moab and visit both Canyonlands and Arches NP. This post includes the best Canyonlands National Park hikes, but read my full Arches and Canyonlands guide for more information about visiting the park.

There are a good variety of Island in the Sky hikes to do in one day that will show you the best of Island in the Sky Canyonlands from above the mesa and from the mesa top into the canyons. Be prepared with your hiking attire and what to bring hiking before setting out on these cool hikes in Canyonlands. Note that the trail stats below from the NPS include round-trip distances and elevations.

Island in the Sky Canyonlands National Park Hikes To Do in One Day

Grand View Point

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: 1.8 miles

Elevation Change: 73ft

Parking: About 33 paved parking spots and additional parking on the shoulder of the road near the trailhead.

Trailhead: Grand View Point

Restrooms: Pit toilets at the trailhead

Start your day in Island in the Sky Canyonlands with the Grand View Point hike. The hike begins with a short paved trail to an overlook. After the overlook the trail is no longer paved. It’s fairly flat the rest of the way, but does have some stone steps and rocky parts.

At 6,080ft the panoramic views are fantastic. The La Sal and the Abajo Mountains are visible as well as the Needles District in the distance. It’s worth it to reach the viewpoint, but the views along the entire trail are beautiful.

Grand View Point is a popular hike all day, but especially at sunset. Personally I enjoyed starting the day at this hike as it is the farthest in the park and gives the best overall views of Canyonlands.

Murphy Loop

Difficulty: Strenuous

Distance: 10.8 miles

Elevation Change: 1,448ft

Parking: Off the road dirt parking lot with unmarked parking spaces. There is space for around 15 cars, depending on how drivers park.

Trailhead: Murphy Trailhead

Restrooms: None – closest pit toilets at the White Rim Overlook and Mesa Arch Trailhead. On the loop there are pit toilets near the campgrounds on White Rim Road.

Once you’ve seen the canyon from above on the Grand View Point trail, you’ll be ready to hike down into the canyon. The Murphy Loop begins with an easy to follow flat, sandy trail. It’s very wide open and prairie-esque. The trail is pleasant enough, but you’ll want to hike a couple of miles and at least reach the Hogback switchbacks. If you are not able or don’t have the time to hike that far, there are plenty of other, better shorter viewpoint trails.

After about a half mile of hiking from the trailhead you’ll reach a junction. To the left is the Murphy Loop and to the right is Murphy Point which is 3.4 miles roundtrip and doesn’t connect to the loop after the trail junction. Continue on to the left towards Murphy Loop. You’ll reach a section with taller vegetation. Watch for cairns (rock piles) and footprints in the sand to stay on the trail.

The highlight and challenge of the trail is when it goes below the rim and opens up to the Murphy Hogback switchbacks. The trail is quite steep, narrow, rocky, and slick in parts. Hiking in sneakers is not recommended, you’ll want better traction. Once at the bottom continue around the loop counter-clockwise or turn around and head back to the start for a shorter hike without the full loop.

A ranger recommended this hike as it’s typically not too crowded. As usual NPS rangers always have the best suggestions. We only saw two or three other pairs of hikers on the entire hike. We passed them on the first part of the hike. Most likely they were hiking to or from Murphy Point. The entire switchback section we had to ourselves!

We did this hike mid-day as we were visiting in November. If you are hiking in hotter weather you will want to avoid the afternoon and the hottest part of the day. Also if you plan to do the entire 10.8 round-trip hike you may not have time to do all three of these Island in the Sky Canyonlands National Park hikes in one day.

Mesa Arch

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: .6 miles

Elevation Change: 56ft

Parking: About 30 paved parking spots.

Trailhead: Mesa Arch

Restrooms: Pit toilets at the trailhead

It’s not just Arches National Park where you can hike to arches. Island in the Sky Canyonlands is home to many natural arches too. One of the most popular hikes and most famous arches in the park is Mesa Arch.

The short .6 loop trail to Mesa Arch is perfect for hikers of all abilities. Don’t climb on the arch, but under and around the arch is perfect for photos. There are other areas to climb for great views too.

It’s one of the best hikes in Canyonlands National Park for sunrise. It’s very busy at this time of day. We saved this hike for our last hike of the day. It was an easy way to end the day and just as beautiful before sunset.

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