If you had only one day - which one or a mix of both?

Also - what are y'all's Fav must do /can't miss for each park?

Thanks!

I didn't get to see as much of Canyonlands because the day we went it fogged in. But at Arches you have to do the Delicate Arch trail. It's something that almost everyone has seen pictures of but you have no idea just how huge it is until you turn the corner and it's right in front of you. At Canyonlands Mesa Arch was our favorite of what we were actually able to see.

Which to go to depends on you. Do you want to get away from the crowds? Canyonlands is massive and almost certainly going to be less crowded. Do you prefer short walks off the main road to all of the sights? Then Arches will be you preference. Also keep in mind Arches you must have a reservation from April through October unless you arrive before 7am. Arches is also a well known stargazing spot if that's something you're interested in

Just returned from a week in Moab. That's a tough question! I'd suggest a moonlight hike in Arches if possible. Simply awesome.

Both parks are great. You don't need a pass to get into Canyonlands. Perhaps go to Arches before 7 or after 5 when a pass is not needed. Spend the other time in Canyonlands.

If all you have time for is one then it's Arches hands down.

If you have time, drive at least a portion of the Shafer trail. Also the loop from Moab through the La Sal mountains and back to Moab is a great afternoon or morning drive.

Not a tough question for me at all - Arches hands down.
Make a trip to Dead Horse State park which is close as well.

Adding dead horse, thanks! What do you recommend at dead horse? Can do fairly quickly?

I would do a sunset at Deadhorse. Spend at hour or so there prior to that. The views are spectacular, Grand Canyon-esque.

Dead Horse is awesome. Agree with above post.

Do both. Agree with Delicate (Arches) and Mesa (Canyonlands) Arches. Double Arch in Arches is incredible also!

Aggiewes '87

Arches

If you can get a permit for the Fiery Furnace trail in Arches, I would HIGHLY recommend it.

Permits go in minutes so you have to be quick

One more vote for Arches.

But I will also say my parents just visited and they did both in one day. Now they are in their 70s/80s, so they are just driving and looking, so without any hikes or exploring, they were just driving and stopping at lookouts, but they got to see both and enjoyed them both in a day.

Canyonlands is actually divided into 3 sections, and the one most visit is "Islands in the Sky"... its a loop that's up on the top and has tons of scenic overllooks, and several options for short to medium hikes that will show you some great views, a couple of additional arches, etc. Needles and the Maze are back country and I think requires 4WD. Not feasible to combine with Arches or anything else. Canyonlands is massive.

Both are fantastic, though. I enjoyed them both more than the Grand Canyon.

Did you go with a park guide or on your own? This time of the year - they don't have guides. Just curious if it's fairly easy to navigate?

Finally going to get this trip in soon - If time permits - I'll add Capitol Reef - any suggestions for it?

Also - has anyone done moonscape overlook or Bentonite Hills? Thoughts?

aggies4life said:

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Did you go with a park guide or on your own? This time of the year - they don't have guides. Just curious if it's fairly easy to navigate?

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I could be wrong but I dont believe theyve done guides since pre-COVID.

There are tiny little arrow markers that you can use if you look carefully, that's how we've done it both times we've gotten permits.

But just know, you have to be ON IT when permits become available....they sell out in seconds

Did this trip a year ago and it was a blast! I didn't do the fiery furnace due to to time but did about 12-13 miles in two days. We also stayed in Moab and did a UTV ride which was incredible! The stop overlooking the CO river was really cool.

AgRyan04 said:

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aggies4life said:

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Did you go with a park guide or on your own? This time of the year - they don't have guides. Just curious if it's fairly easy to navigate?

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I could be wrong but I dont believe theyve done guides since pre-COVID.

There are tiny little arrow markers that you can use if you look carefully, that's how we've done it both times we've gotten permits.

But just know, you have to be ON IT when permits become available....they sell out in seconds

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1 week out?

Also, thinking about doing Capitol, Arches, and Canyonlands in late July. Thinking it will be hot, but not Texas hot? I see avg temps around 95 to upper 60s at night with about 10% humidity... doesn't sound too bad?

jpb1999 said:

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Also, thinking about doing Capitol, Arches, and Canyonlands in late July. Thinking it will be hot, but not Texas hot? I see avg temps around 95 to upper 60s at night with about 10% humidity... doesn't sound too bad?

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It'll be pretty dang hot… not a lot of shade out there with a very bright sun

jpb1999 said:

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AgRyan04 said:

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aggies4life said:

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Did you go with a park guide or on your own? This time of the year - they don't have guides. Just curious if it's fairly easy to navigate?

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I could be wrong but I dont believe theyve done guides since pre-COVID.

There are tiny little arrow markers that you can use if you look carefully, that's how we've done it both times we've gotten permits.

But just know, you have to be ON IT when permits become available....they sell out in seconds

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1 week out?

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Check the recreation.gov website for all the details....it changes so frequently that I'd hate to give you bad/outdated info

Just ran across this photo a couple of days ago from when we did Fiery Furnace in 2022

I had a "work trip" to Arches & Canyonlands in March. Everyone thought Canyonlands was better than Arches.

EMY92 said:

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I had a "work trip" to Arches & Canyonlands in March. Everyone thought Canyonlands was better than Arches.

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Where did yall go in Canyonlands and in Arches?

We heading there on July 5th. Have a 1/2 day 4x4 tour booked for us in Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands.

Going to try to get Fiery Furnace guided trip tickets and do at least Delicate Arch tour in Arches.

Also planning on doing Dead Horse Point at Sunset and a whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado.

Most of the ideas I found on this thread or others on Texags, so THANKS!

Anything big we are missing?

jpb1999 said:

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Anything big we are missing?

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Chesler Park in the Needles.

Thanks, I will look into that.

Also, anyone have opinions on these 3 routes? Only 40 minute difference between shortest and longest and we will likely have an hour or 2 to kill before we can check in at Telluride.

3 Options:

If you are driving thru Montrose and have time to kill, why not hit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park? It's 25 minutes outside Montrose.

Also, if you do Chesler Park, I suggest a guided 4x4 tour at that time of year. Otherwise, it's a long hike in the heat.

Also, also, if you're at Red Cliffs Lodge, spend an hour or two hiking around Fischer Towers, especially at sunset. We did some climbing out at Ancient Art this spring and it's a beautiful spot.

jpb1999 said:

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EMY92 said:

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I had a "work trip" to Arches & Canyonlands in March. Everyone thought Canyonlands was better than Arches.

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Where did yall go in Canyonlands and in Arches?

We heading there on July 5th. Have a 1/2 day 4x4 tour booked for us in Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands.

Going to try to get Fiery Furnace guided trip tickets and do at least Delicate Arch tour in Arches.

Also planning on doing Dead Horse Point at Sunset and a whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado.

Most of the ideas I found on this thread or others on Texags, so THANKS!

Anything big we are missing?

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Arches:
Balanced Rock Trail
Delicate Arch Trail
Skyline Arch Trail
Tower Arch Trail

Canyonlands:
View right across from the visitor center is incredible
Neck Spring Trail
Shafer Trail
Mesa Arch Trail
White Rim Overlook Trail
Grand View Trail
Upheaval Dome Trail

There was also much more to be seen right off of the road in Canyonlands.

On the way back to Moab we stopped at Dead Horse State Park.