5 Canyonlands Solo Hikes That Will Make for a Great National Park Solo Trip
Canyonlands National Park is one of the least visited national parks in Utah. Despite it being less popular, Canyonlands has some of my favorite solo hikes in the entire state.
The park is a wilderness of countless canyons carved over thousands of years by the Colorado River. Solo traveling here feels like you are on another planet.
I took an unforgettable solo day trip to Canyonlands to compile this list of the best trails for solo hiking in Canyonlands.
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What You Need to Know About Hiking in Canyonlands National Park
Although Canyonlands is less popular than other parks in the state, it is getting more popular. You might struggle to find parking at popular hiking spots if you visit during midday.
One of the reasons for the increase in visitors is because of a new reservation system implemented at Arches National Park. In 2022, the park implemented a timed entry reservation system. From April 1 to October 31, 2023, visitors need to reserve a timed entry ticket before arriving.
Some tourists arrive at Arches without a reservation, and they are turned away. Instead of heading back to their hotel, some head 30 minutes to Canyonlands, where they do not need a reservation.
Noah’s take: Although more and more people are visiting Canyonlands, it is still a great place for solo hiking; just plan to arrive early. Keep reading to see my tips for avoiding crowds at Canyonlands so you can have the best solo hiking experience.
Read: 10 Ways to Avoid Crowds in National Parks for the Perfect Solo Trip
The Districts of Canyonlands
If you plan to solo hike in Canyonlands National Park, you will need to pick an area of the park to traverse. All the hikes I have listed below are located in the most accessible district, Island in the Sky.
Island in the Sky is best for a quick trip or if you want to save gas. If you are an experienced backpacker, you can head to The Needles district.
If you want to visit the most remote section of the park, take your four-wheel-drive vehicle to The Maze. If you are an avid kayaker, you can head to Colorado or Green Rivers that wind through the Canyonlands.
What Makes a Trail Best for Solo Hiking?
I first started solo traveling to national parks because the pandemic upended my plans to travel to Africa. Hiking in such beautiful places offered me a sense of wonder and accomplishment.
Likewise, many other travelers found enjoyment at the parks during the pandemic, and now, national park visitation numbers are skyrocketing.
Because of this, the most iconic and popular hikes are not ideal for solo hiking unless you go early in the morning. Trails that are longer and more difficult are best for escaping the crowds and feeling present in nature.
Is It Safe to Solo Hike in Canyonlands National Park?
Read: Is It Safe to Hike Alone? 10 Solo Hiking Tips
It is safe to hike in Canyonlands, especially the Island in the Sky district. Most trails in this district are short, and there are usually plenty of people out and about. However, you can easily become dehydrated here, especially if you hike during midday.
Make sure to bring at least a gallon of water. You can fill up your water bottle at the visitor’s center. However, it is always good practice to come into a national park with plenty of water. Sometimes, water is unavailable at national parks, especially if you are visiting during the off-season.
If you want extra peace of mind, download the All Trails maps I have linked in this article so you do not get lost while solo hiking.
What Are the Best Trails in Canyonlands National Park for Solo Hiking?
- If you are an experienced solo hiker and want a challenge, try the Gooseberry Trail and the Upheaval Dome.
- If you are a solo photographer and want unforgettable photos, hike Mesa Arch and Grand Point Trail.
- If you are a solo traveler looking for peace and reflection, stroll along Grand Point Trail and White Rim Overlook.
Visit Mesa Arch in the Early Morning Hours for a More Enjoyable Visit
- Distance: .7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 88 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
Hiking to the Mesa Arch is one of the most popular activities to do in the park. It is known for being a great spot to watch the sunrise. You can film the sun rising in between Mesa Arch’s gap.
Noah’s take: I hiked to Mesa Arch for sunrise, and to my surprise, there was a row of photographers gathered at the arch. I really couldn’t squeeze through all the people to get a good view of the arch.
If you want a reflective sunrise hike, this really isn’t a great option. However, It is one of the most iconic parts of the park, so it would be crazy not to visit it.
So, I recommend heading to Grand View Point for sunrise. Then, drive back on Grand View Point Road to Mesa Arch afterward. You will want to visit Mesa Arch in the morning before the parking lot fills up.
Sure, this is not the most economical plan in terms of gas usage, but overall, the park is fairly compact, so you won’t lose much time if you have to backtrack.
Take the Grand View Point Trail at Sunrise for a Transformative Experience
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 164 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
This trail is actually advertised as a great sunset hike. However, the most reflective way to hike the Grand View Point Trail is at sunrise. Grand View Point is located at the very end of the park, so fewer people drive all the way here in the early morning hours.
Noah’s take: I headed here after a brief sunrise hike at the busy Mesa Arch. To my surprise, I only encountered a few people on the trail. When I reached the end of the trail, I was alone and had plenty of space to photograph the grand vista.
Even if you can’t make it here during the early morning hours, you cannot miss this hike. Even at the very start of this trail, I was in awe of the views. It is really a five-star hike.
Dive Deep Into the Canyon on the Gooseberry Trail
- Distance: 4.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,548 feet
- Difficulty: Hard
If you are an experienced hiker, you should hike the Gooseberry Trail, one of the most difficult day hikes in Canyonlands. It is Island in the Sky’s steepest trail.
You will descend 1,400 feet to the White Rim Bench, one of my favorite features of the entire park.
Noah’s take: This is one of my favorite hikes I have ever done in a national park, so it is really worth the steep climb. I hiked this trail in the late morning, and a majority of my descent into the canyon was in the shade.
Once you make your way down the canyon, you can peer into the Monument Basin, a deep canyon that resembles Monument Valley. It is actually breathtaking. You might also see some cars driving along the 100-mile White Rim Road.
Noah’s take: The picture opportunities are great on this trail, but the best part of this hike is the feeling you have when you return. You will see the White Rim off in the distance and feel astonished that just a few hours ago, you were there.
Take an Easy Stroll to White Rim Overlook for Panoramic Views
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 160 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
This trail shares a parking lot with the Gooseberry Trail. Try to get to this parking lot before lunchtime because this parking lot fills up fast.
However, if you really want nice photos, it is best to visit this trail in the late afternoon due to the sun’s angle.
The White Rim Overlook Trail is less difficult than the Gooseberry Trail. Both offer expansive views of the White Rim. From this viewpoint, you can also see the Colorado River, Monument Basin, and La Sal Mountains.
Noah’s take: You will enjoy the nice panoramic view at the end of the trail, but unlike the Grand View Point Trail, there are less impressive views along the route.
Climb to the Unique Upheaval Dome for a Fun Solo Experience
- Distance: 1.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 226 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
The Upheaval Dome is not the most beautiful trail in the park, but it is one of the most mysterious. You can hike to a mile-wide crater that has debated origins. Some think the crater was formed from a meteorite, but there is no real consensus.
Noah’s take: This is a very interesting trail, and the terrain is unlike anything else in the park. However, it was not my favorite solo experience hiking here in the afternoon. There were a lot of people along the trail.
If you make the trip out to Upheaval Dome, make sure to also stop at the Green River Overlook, which is along the route to the dome. Although it is just an overlook, it is one of my favorite overlooks in the entire park.
Love solo hiking? Read more of my solo hiking guides.