Every tourist destination has its attractions. However, because every tourist is different, these attractions have greater or lesser value. In this series Gary gives his reasons for traveling to a particular place. Hopefully some of his thoughts will entice you to consider adding this particular location to your itinerary. The entire series is being categorized under the heading, “Spotlights.” However, you may find more about these locations in the archives of this website, under headings such as, “Great Places,” “Things to Do in,” “Best of,” “Top 10” and “Places of a Lifetime.” In addition, “Walking Tours” of many of these destinations may be available for purchase on the website for the low price of $1.49 each.

Canyonlands National Park (at least one of its three districts) is located very close to Arches National Park (see earlier post). However, it offers a considerably different type of landscape. Here the emphasis is on the spectacular erosive results of rivers cutting through the sandstone. Island in the Sky and the Needles District are the park’s most accessible and most popular sections. Excellent reasons for including Canyonlands in any national park itinerary are the following:

1. The Colorado and the Green Rivers slice lazily through this part of Utah creating deep and interesting canyons.

Canyons Galore

2. Rock formations known as “Needles” are common in the Needles District, in southeastern Utah.

Needles

3. My favorite rock formation in Canyonlands National Park is the appropriately-named “Wooden Shoe.”

Wooden Shoe