Canyonlands is enormous and rugged, but the good news is that you don’t have to hike miles of slickrock to see its best views. The Island in the Sky district (the most accessible section near Moab) is packed with overlooks and short, easy walks that give you sweeping views of canyons, mesas, and rivers. If you’d rather skip the long trails but still want the full wow-factor, these are the stops to make.

Visitor Center Overlook

• Distance from Car: A few steps

• Difficulty: Easy

• Best Time: Morning

The first overlook is right across the road from the visitor center. It’s a great place to start your day and get oriented. From here, you’ll see the Shafer Basin with the La Sal Mountains rising in the distance—a preview of the landscapes ahead.

Mesa Arch

• Trail Length: 0.7 miles round trip

• Difficulty: Medium

• Elevation Gain: About 100 ft

• Estimated Time: 30 minutes

• Best Time: Sunrise

This is the most famous stop in Canyonlands, and for good reason. The short trail is very doable, and at sunrise the underside of the arch glows bright orange as the sun rises over the canyons. When I went, it was rainy, so the glow wasn’t there—but the moody sky made the scene dramatic in its own way. Even if you can’t do longer trails, Mesa Arch is non-negotiable.

Green River Overlook

• Trail Length: 0.2 miles round trip

• Difficulty: Easy

• Estimated Time: 10 minutes

• Best Time: Afternoon for golden light

One of the easiest and most rewarding stops in the park. From here, the Green River snakes through the desert, carving dramatic canyons. On a clear day, you can see White Rim Road and the Orange Cliffs stretching into the distance. When I visited, the rain softened the view, but it gave the landscape a moody, almost painted look.

Grand View Point Overlook

• Trail Length: 0.25 miles paved to the main viewpoint (optional 2-mile rim walk if you’re up for it)

• Difficulty: Easy

• Estimated Time: 20 minutes for the viewpoint

• Best Time: Sunset

If you only do one stop in Canyonlands, make it this one. The paved path to the main overlook is easy and accessible, and the view is breathtaking: Monument Basin, the Colorado River Canyon, the Needles, and spires that look like stone skyscrapers. At sunset, the entire basin glows.

Buck Canyon Overlook

• Trail Length: 0.1 miles round trip

• Difficulty: Easy

• Estimated Time: 5 minutes

This one is practically right off the road, but the view is massive. You’ll look out over layers of cliffs plunging into Buck Canyon, a quick stop that packs in a big “wow” factor.

Dead Horse Point State Park (Bonus Stop)

• Fee: $20 per vehicle (not covered by the National Park Pass)

• Trail Length: 0.5 miles round trip to the overlook

• Difficulty: Easy

• Estimated Time: 30 minutes

• Best Time: Late afternoon or sunset

Just 15 minutes from Canyonlands’ entrance, Dead Horse Point offers one of the most dramatic views in Utah. The Colorado River makes a giant U-turn 2,000 feet below, and you can see for miles across glowing cliffs. If you don’t want to hike, the overlook itself is all you need.

Final Thoughts

Canyonlands may be vast, but you don’t have to trek miles of rugged trail to experience its grandeur. With easy stops like Mesa Arch, Green River Overlook, and Grand View Point, you’ll still get the unforgettable canyon views that make this park so special. Add Dead Horse Point for a bonus finale, and you’ll leave with memories (and photos) that rival any big hike.

Even if hiking isn’t on your agenda, Canyonlands is proof that sometimes the best views are just a few steps from the car.