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Auto Touring Canyonlands National Park

This is the acess road into Elephant Hill. You can drive a passenger car to the trailhead. Beyond that you jeep extremely rough trails, or you hike. The main park roads are paved.

Many scenic features in Canyonlands National Park can be seen by auto touring, and by taking short strolls from turnouts along paved roads.

Island in the Sky District is the most conducive for auto touring. It offers majestic viewpoints along the paved scenic drive road. It is located near Moab and so it is the most convenient road that probes the park.

Grand View Point is the must-see attraction along the Island's scenic drive. It offers sweeping views out over much of the national park backcountry.

Dead Horse Point Utah State Park is also a must-see attraction, located just outside of the park boundaries as you approach the Island District.

If time permits, visit Buck or Shafer Canyon overlooks along the way to Grand View Point. Also consider taking the short, easy hike to the Upheaval Dome overlook.

The Needles District also offers rewarding viewpoints along roads that can be driven in a family car. Consider driving to the Big Spring Canyon Overlook and taking in the view. You can get a distant view of the district's trademark needle formations by driving the three mile unpaved Elephant Hill access road. For a closer look at the Needles, stroll out to the edge of Chesler Park.

Several hiking trails lead to impressive viewpoints in The Needles District.

The Maze District does not offer any opportunity for casual auto touring.

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