Can you go to Canyonlands at night?

Learn about what to expect and check out a schedule of stargazing events at Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments. Even when formal programs are not offered, people are welcome to enjoy the parks after dark on their own.



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All Park Hours Canyonlands National Park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round. Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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It's especially popular for astrophotography because, on many summer nights, the Milky Way can be seen in all its glory hovering above the arch. Set on the edge of a breathtaking canyon, this incredible overlook provides a panoramic view of the night sky, offering a spectacular stargazing experience.

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Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are open year-round, 24-hours a day. The best times to visit weatherwise are April through May and September through October. For that reason, spring and fall also tend to be the busiest times to visit.

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Driving Canyonlands National Park in One Day The Island in the Sky District offers the wonderful opportunities for sightseeing by car and is the most accessible. The 34-mile round-trip scenic drive features awe-inspiring overlooks, from a 1,000 feet above, of the valleys below and the other districts of the park.

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Reservations. Timed entry reservations are not required to enter the park. You can make reservations for day-use, overnight, and river permits and for group campsites at The Needles.

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Island in the Sky is the most visited and accessible district, offering expansive views from many overlooks along the paved scenic drive. You can park and view a variety of scenic wonders from the vista points without hiking. The most popular site in the park is Mesa Arch.

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All Park Hours Canyonlands National Park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round.

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Half a Day: In addition to enjoying the scenic drive, hikers can explore the Slickrock Trail or walk to the edge of Chesler Park for a closer look at The Needles. Visitors with four-wheel-drive vehicles might consider driving to the Colorado River Overlook. Spend some time at the visitor center learning about the area.

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Over 330,000 acres are filled with arches, buttes, mesas, canyons, hiking trails, dirt roads, campgrounds, and overlooks. It would take days, weeks even, to fully explore all that Canyonlands has to offer. However, if you only have one day in Canyonlands, you have just enough time to visit the highlights.

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Arches National Park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round. Fees apply. The park is very busy between March and October.

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If you only want to see a few highlights in each park, then yes, one day in Arches and Canyonlands is enough time. For a better experience, add one more day to your itinerary, so you can spend one full day in Arches and one full day in Canyonlands.

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You can still visit the short (and gorgeous) hikes in Canyonlands if you don't have time or don't want to do a more difficult/longer day hike. We preferred Canyonlands due to the longer trails and much fewer people. But if you're looking for shorter trails and lots of arches, Arches might be your better bet.

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The Needles, though not as easy to access, also offers an incredible scenic drive that can be done in a day. Continuing 6.5 miles drive past the visitor center and ending at Big Spring Canyon Overlook, this stunning driver has several pullouts to short hiking trails, viewpoints and picnic areas.

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ISLAND IN THE SKY, CANYONLANDS: The Island in the Sky district is the most popular area of Canyonlands to visit.

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Arches National Park is generally open 24 hours a day, year-round. Fees apply. The park is very busy between March and October. To avoid traffic, we recommend entering the park before 8 am or after 3 pm.

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But if you're reading this and wondering “just where is Canyonlands National Park, anyway” know that that's a good thing. The fact that people don't know much about it keeps the crowds low. It's never as busy as its other Utah neighbors, and even plenty of national park fans couldn't point to it on a map.

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Indian Creek Falls (1.5 Miles) Hike leads to a 20-foot waterfall and some ancient granaries and rock art.

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Annual Entrance - Park Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments.

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Individual Entrance to Canyonlands: $15 (Good for 7 Days). Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.

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