Shafer Canyon Overlook

With minor changes in elevation, a couple easy scrambles and the opportunity to find your route by cairns, the Neck Spring Trail is the perfect way to get acquainted with Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands National Park.Starting at the Shafer Canyon Overlook parking lot, the Neck Spring trail crosses Grand View Point Road then leads to the top of a mesa. From there, a dirt path will lead dow...

The best way to ride the Shafer Trail is to bring a support vehicle (one with 4WD and decently high clearance). If you're into a sufferfest, by all means climb your way out of there. You can also include it on a much, much longer ride like the White Rim Trail. But if you just want to experience the epic ride down, you can start at the Shafer Trail and wind down to Shafer Campground on Potash Ro...

This trip can be done with an outfit or independently. The outfit Escape Adventures is highly recommended. They send two guides - one drives a pickup behind with all the camping gear. If you don't have the money or interest, however, it is possible to simply use panniers or a backpack to carry everything and go without the truck.This description follows the White Rim Trail, but you are definite...

Access to this trailhead is a few miles south of the Islands in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park. An easy drive from Moab or Interstate 70. Remember to get permits and check in with the rangers if camping. If just doing a day hike then no permits are needed. REMINDER: There is no water along this trail so bring plenty of water if camping or even day hiking. Water spicket is l...

Dead Horse Point State Park sits next to Canyonlands National Park with expansive views of the canyons carved by the Colorado River. The park can be accessed year-round and the best views are within feet of the parking lot. To capture the warm light of sunrise on the red rocks, head for the western rim and look for interesting trees to include in your foreground. Most of the area does not ha...

This is an easy 0.6 mile loop. The hike takes you out to Mesa Arch, which is one of the most famous structures of Canyonlands National Park. If you're out with your camera, you can get amazing shots of the arch with the rugged canyon as your backdrop. Some of the best photos of the arch are at sunrise. If you're lucky enough, you snagged a campsite Devil's Garden, making it easy for you to ke...