In southern Utah, the Colorado and Green Rivers carve the high desert into a labyrinth of red-rock canyons and break Canyonlands into three distinct districts: Island in the Sky , The Needles and The Maze. These areas were only designated as a National Park in 1964. Recently a fourth area, called Horseshoe Canyon, just west of the Maze was added to the park.

Canyonlands is the largest national park in Utah. The 530 square miles of the park contain countless canyons, arches, spires, buttes and a myriad of other spectacular rock formations.

For over millions of years, the rivers and their small tributaries have carved the flat sandstone rock layers into many amazing forms with a great variety of colors.

One great way to visit and get a feel for the park is by walking the trails. There are good campgrounds and well developed trails in three sections: Needles, Island in the Sky and Horseshoe Canyon. Getting into the Maze is a challenging 4-wheel drive. Once in, the trails are well marked and worth walking--including a visit to the Harvest Scene Gallery.

Many people also tour the park by 4-wheel drive and bicycle. It is also possible to canoe or take a jet boat or raft tour on the Colorado upstream or downstream from Moab and down the Green River from the town of Green River.