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Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park covers a vast area of rock wilderness in
southeast Utah, centered around the confluence of the Green River and Colorado
rivers. Over millions of years, the rivers and their small tributaries have
carved the flat sandstone rock layers into many amazing forms with a wide range
of colors. The 530 square miles of the park contain countless canyons, arches,
spires, buttes, mesas and a myriad of other spectacular rock formations.. It
consists of canyons and plateaus carved by two mighty rivers - the Colorado and
the Green. The rivers divide the park into four districts: the Island in the
Sky, the Needles, the Maze and the rivers themselves. While these areas share a
primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers
different opportunities for exploration. The park offers some of the most
challenging 4X4 roads and whitewater rapids in the world. It also offers great
opportunities to hike, bike and engage in other recreational activities.
Highlights of Canyonlands National
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The Coloroado
River through Cataract Canyon: Cataract Canyon has some of the biggest and
most challenging whitewater in the United States. This is a thrill seeker's
dream, with stunningly powerful rapids. For those seeking "moderate"
excitement, trips in late summer feature rapids that are big fun rolling
waves.
Highlights:
- Classic Big Whitewater, including the Big Drops, North
Seas' and Mile Long
- Great Hikes: Dolls House, Indian Creek, and the Loop
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Island in the Sky District: Island in the
sky is a sheer-walled mesa that constitutes the northern part of Canyonlands
National Park. Amazing views out over the surrounding country, including rugged
canyons that have been carved by the Colorado and Green rivers. In many places
the surrounding country is 1,000 feet down, virtually straight down, from the
top of the mesa. Highlights:
- Grand View Point
- Mesa Arch
- Upheaval Dome
- Green River Overlook
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Needles District: The Needles District forms the
southeastern portion of Canyonlands National Park. Its signature features are
colorful sandstone spires - hundreds of them poking up from the desert
floor.
Highlights:
- Elephant Hill
- Big Spring Overlook
- Chesler Park
- Colorado River Overlook
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The Maze District: The Maze section of Canyonlands, west
of the rivers, is the wildest and remotest section of the national park, and
possibly of all Utah. The Maze itself is a jumble of six steep inhospitable
canyons plus countless smaller ravines, centered on a vast area of convoluted
fins and pinnacles known as Land of the Standing Rocks.
Highlights:
- Jasper Canyon
- Shot Canyon
- Water Canyon
- Horse Canyon
- Dolls House
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