Welcome to our National Park series, where each week I will be highlighting a national park that my family and I have visited in 2020/2021. This year my son is in 4th grade which meant that he qualified for the Every Kid Outdoor Pass. The Every Kid Outdoor Pass is a free pass for 4th graders that gives 4th graders and their families free access to hundreds of parks, lands, and waters for an entire year! This includes our National Parks and many other government agencies. This year was our year of National Park vacations and since September we have visited over 10 parks with plans to visit more this summer! If you are also interested in visiting some of our national treasures, I hope that my experience can help you to prepare and have a great family trip.
Canyonlands National Park is only about 30 miles from Arches, so you can either visit in the same day, or in the same trip. Canyonlands is an interesting park in that most of it requires off road or 4x4 vehicles to visit. The only easily accessible part of Canyonlands is the Islands in the Sky District. By only being able to really go to one part of the park, you can easily tour this area in a few hours. Here are three ways to find your family fun while you visit Canyonlands National Park.
1. Take a drive - Canyonlands National Park is divided into four districts; Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. The Islands in the Sky District is the only district with a paved drive. So unless you want to/are able to do some 4x4ing, this is where you will be taking your scenic drive. Don't forget your GyPSy Guide for this beautiful drive!
2. Take a Hike - There are two great, family friendly hikes at Islands in the Sky. The Gaze from Grand View Point is a great viewpoint of the canyons and nearby mountains. I do have to mention that if you take this walk, I would keep a hand on any small children. It did make a few of us nervous. The second hike is a must do in my opinion. The hike to Mesa Arch, is a popular hike with a great view at the end, Mesa Arch.
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3. Become a Junior Ranger - Pick up your free Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor's center or download it here. Or borrow an Explorer Pack from the visitor's center, these packs contain binoculars, a hand lens, a naturalist guide, and more.
Tips -
- There is no food, lodging, or gas available in Canyonlands National Park
- The Mesa Arch is best viewed at sunrise or sunset.
- Unless you plan on going off-roading, you should be able to get through the park in 2-3 hours.
Have a great time at Canyonlands National Park!
