Canyonlands National Park is a stunning and scenic high desert park that sits only several miles from the gateway town of Moab, Utah. It is surrounded by other favorite, public lands such as Arches National Park, Deadhorse Point State Park, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Out of such a vast park, we’ll share the best hikes in Canyonlands for kids!
Canyonlands National Park Districts
In order to begin your epoch hiking adventures at Canyonlands, you need to understand that it is separated into four, distinct districts: the Maze District, Island in They Sky, the Needles District, and Horseshoe Canyon.
Driving between these park districts can take many hours, and some may be inaccessible depending on the weather. In Canyonlands, perhaps even more urgently than most other national parks, it is essential that you stop at the visitor center and discuss your plans with a park ranger.
Canyonlands Visitor Center
Stop at the visitor center first. There are two visitor centers in Canyonlands National Park. The northern, Island in The Sky District is the most common entrance into the park due to its closest access to Moab.
If you will be hiking in The Needles District, there is a visitor center close to your park entrance location.
Neither The Maze nor Horseshoe Canyon offer visitor centers or paved roads.
Remember to make sure you discuss all roads and park conditions with a park ranger at the visitor center. You will also want to double check all of your supplies, such as food and water. Discuss your particular hiking destination with the ranger so that she may advise you on how much water you need to pack.
Finally, use the visitor center restrooms. They are pit toilets, so those of you with little girls may want to consider one of my favorite bathroom hacks discussed in THIS video.
Hikes in Island in the Sky District
If you are travelling with kids, we suggest you spend most of your hiking time and energy in this area. The dinosaur museum, aka Moab Giants, is halfway between the visitor center and Moab. It is a great stop for a snack or some entertainment after a morning hike. This district requires the least amount of time in the car which is usually helpful for keeping the little ones (and, apparently, my “tweens”) happy.
Here are our top four hikes for families in Island in the Sky:
1. Mesa Arch Hike
This should be your top priority hike for anyone visiting Island in The Sky. This roughly half-mile, round-trip hike takes you to the most iconic arch in Canyonlands National Park: Mesa Arch. This is the best sunrise hike in the park, and no matter what time of day you make it, you will want to snap some family photos in front of the arch.
This hike is so short, that if you have kids who don’t want to hike, you can just tell them it is a “scenic overlook.” We employ this strategy a lot!
2. White Rim Overlook Hike
White Rim Overlook is a lovely hike that takes you through a bit of red-rock, desert landscape before spitting you out onto the canyon’s edge. This easy, 1.8 mile round-trip hike is great for families of all ages. Just be sure to hold onto your kids near the dropoffs at the halfway point.
The are several rock outcroppings that offer stunning backdrops for family photos. This would be a great place for sunset due to the angles of your views!
There are pit toilets at the parking lot, and there are large, shaded picnic tables around the parking bend. It is a popular area to stop and eat, with the shades and the large spaces between tables offering some peace and quiet from your neighbors as you enjoy the views.
3. Whale Rock Hike
The Whale Rock Hike is what you make of it. You can hop out of the car and enjoy this massive, whale-shaped rock dome in the middle of the desert, or you can climb to the top, scream “I’m queen of the mountain!” and (carefully) slide down on your backside.
If you’re visiting the park during cool weather, you may even want to take a picnic lunch to eat on top of the whale!
This hike is just under a mile, round-trip, but if you climb to the top, it is a steep 140 feet ascent. For those of you from Texas, it is basically the Utah equivalent of Enchanted Rock.
Warning: if the weather and the rock is wet, this can become very slick and dangerous. We strongly advise that you skip this hike if these conditions are present.
4. Upheaval Dome Hike
This is one of my favorite hikes for kids!
First of all, this is another hike that I said was just a “scenic overlook.” In reality, it is 0.6 to 1.2 miles round-trip. The upheaval dome itself is fun to see; however, it offers an entire adventure for those who dig a little deeper into the mysteries of its formation!
Is this strange formation the result of a salt dome or a crater impact? You can talk to your kids (or your friends) about both theories and ask them to be the detectives, offering their best, geological opinion! Read more about it from the National Park Service.
Hikes in The Needles District
There are three great hikes in the Needles District that we suggest for families.
1. Cave Spring
This is a short, 0.6-mile hike that takes you to see an old cowboy camp and some petroglyphs. There are cave-like overhangs and two ladders climbing to the hike’s higher points. It is a great option for kids of all ages. If you have kids that cannot climb ladders, you can turn back at that point. Both the cowboy camp and the petroglyphs are before reaching the ladders.
2. Slickrock Trail
This is a short, interpretive trail. This loop is around 2.4 miles, and it is a great hiking option for kids of any age. It begins at the end of a paved, scenic road, but there are no pit toilets at the trailhead.
3. Chesler Park Viewpoint
This 5.8-mile hike is a big longer than many we suggest for kids; however, it is relatively flat and easy. If you have very young kids, you may consider a hiking backpack. You can bring a picnic to eat at the halfway point, or you can just encourage the kids along the route with trail snacks.
This is a beautiful hike that starts at the Elephand Hill Trailhead which does have pit toilets.
Hikes in The Maze District
There are no paved roads, visitor centers, or pit toilets in the Maze District. Generally speaking, this is not the most family-friendly area of Canyonlands National Park. The park service asks that those entering this district be prepared for emergencies and self-rescue.
Most roads require high clearance, 4×4 vehicles. We suggest that you carry a Garmin like THIS in addition to high-quality park maps.
The hiking trails are minimally maintained, steep, and unmarked. We are unable recommend a safe and enjoyable hike for families in this district.
The feature film “127 Hours” was about an accident in the Maze District.
Hikes in Horseshoe Canyon
Horseshoe Canyon is well known for two things. First, it is the home of the epoch and magnificent “Great Gallery.” For more on the history and story of these pictographs and petroglyphs, read our article.
Second, it is known as a place where unprepared hikers have perished.
Although it is still on my personal bucket list to take the 7-mile-round-trip hike to see The Great Gallery, park rangers have begged us not to attempt this with our children. Much of the hike is through sand, and most of it is exposed. There is little, if any water beneath the canyon’s edge.
Thus, upon the advice of the park ranger, we cannot recommend any good, family hikes in the Horseshoe Canyon District of Canyonlands Naitonal Park.
Final Notes on Hiking in Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is certainly one of the great hiking parks. It offers a diverse array of challenges for hikers of all skill levels. It is especially enjoyable for those looking for strenuous adventures.
Fortunately, its trails, views, artifacts, and mysteries make it a place of wonder and imagination for even our little hiking buddies. (Read more about necessary hiking gear for kids.)
As long as you arrive prepared for the challenges and the weather, you are sure to find a great adventure that your entire family will jofully recall for many years to come!
Read more about the best family-friendly accommodations near Moab!
