As for France, the first tourist destination in the world, we invite you to discover all these places and natural spaces, more or less wild and visited, which, from one ocean to the other, make up the beauty and richness of the United States.
Today, venture into the American West with one of its most visited parks. Namely Canyonlands Park in Utah.
A landscape shaped by the Colorado River
Arid and barren landscapes shaped by erosion, between which appear numerous canyons, natural arches or these needles pointing to the sky, cliffs or even these famous “table mountains”, which are these mounds with flattened tops that we see in westerns: this is what Canyonlands look like. This vast park has more than 1000 km2 not far from the town of Moab, which remains one of the most visited in its region with nearly a million visitors a year.
But it must also be said that the place is also famous for its outdoor activities, be it hiking, mountain biking or off-roading, which also attract people.
Five places to enjoy Canyonlands National Park
Horseshoe Canyon
This horseshoe-shaped canyon (hence the name) is home to a large number of Indian petroglyphs that can be discovered after a few kilometers of hiking.
Please note that Horseshoe Canyon should not be confused with the “famous” and very photogenic Horseshoe Bend, which is the name of a meander of the Colorado River located 6 km south of Page, Arizona.
Island in the sky
This huge plateau near the town of Moab is the most accessible and most visited part of Canyonlands. We go there for hiking and mostly to appreciate the landscape of the canyons carved by the Colorado and Green River like from Shafer, Buck, Murphy Point or Grand Viewpoint Overlook.
Maze District
This is the wildest, least visited, but also the most spectacular part of the park with a labyrinth of narrow gorges. But the place is worth it because the treks can be difficult if not dangerous if you are not equipped or used to this kind of adventure.
Mesa Arch
This beautiful natural arch at the edge of Buck Canyon frames one of the most beautiful places in the park, if only because of the fantastic panorama we have in the section below the place. It is accessible by a small step.
Needles District
This part of the Canyonlands is a desert plain with tall, colorful rock formations like we see in some westerns emerging here and there. In addition to the scenery you can explore from places like the Anticline or Needles Overlook, people come here to hike in this wilder and less crowded environment than Island in the Sky.
Around Canyonlands National Park
Even if it means being in Canyonlands, take the opportunity to visit the region (or vice versa).
The advantage of staying in this corner of Utah is that it is not too far from other interesting places to explore. From Canyonlands, the gorges Dead Horse Point andArches National Park home to the highest density of natural arches in the world (2,000 listed) are actually barely an hour around the city Moab. And if you don’t mind a little drive, you can find other remarkable places in the west or south of Utah, such as Goblin Valleybasic Capitol ReefTHE Glen Canyon or a park Natural bridges famous for its beautiful landscape and especially for its three large natural bridges that gave it its name. Once again, nature and the American West in all its glory…