Canyonlands National Park is another great reason to go to Moab. This park is huge and has so much to do it can be overwhelming. The most accessible part of the park is Island in the Sky. The Needles area is past Moab towards Monticello and is just as beautiful but the hikes are much longer and take more time. If you are in a time-crunch I would recommend Island in the Sky, but if we have time to really explore, The Needles is the way to go.
I hadn't planned anything for spring break and it was still quite cold so camping was out of the question, but I wanted to get down to the desert. I had been to The Needles before in Canyonlands, but never Island in the Sky. We decided to take a day trip and get in some good hikes. The hikes we decided on were Murphy's Point and Mesa Arch. Mesa Arch is super easy and is worth the quick stop. It is the most photographed area in Canyonlands.
Murphy Point was an amazing hike and one I would do again in a heartbeat. The whole way you can lookout into the desert and see the vastness of it. The view at the end of the valley and the La Sal Mountain Range is stunning. It is a very easy hike not a lot of elevation gain, it is pretty flat the entire way. I don't believe you need sturdy hiking boots either. I hiked in my FiveTen Access approach shoes and felt very secure.
After we finished the hike we went into Moab to grab something to eat before we headed home. I always end up eating at the same places in Moab: Moab Brewery, Pasta Jay's, and The Spoke on Center. This time we wanted to try something new so we decided on Arches Thai. It was really good and fast service, which is good when you are starving after some good hikes. March is pretty early in the season for Moab so most places won't be too busy.
What You Want to Know
Take Me There!
Canyonlands Island in the Sky entrance is before Moab. Be on the lookout for signs directing you to turn onto Island in the Sky Road towards the visitor center. The Canyonlands Island in the Sky Visitor Center is where we started our journey, like most national parks. We always like to talk to the Park Rangers and have they confirm or offer suggestions based off of our prior research.
How long is the hike?
Mesa Arch is a 1/2 mile to the arch.
Murphy's Point is a 3.6 mile out and back hike.
Both of these hikes are rated as easy and can be done in a couple of hours.
What Do I Wear?!
If you are visiting Moab in March or October, it is a good idea to bring layers. You are never sure what the weather might do. I took a lighter jacket and had a tank top under in case it got too hot. I was able to do most of the hikes in my FiveTen Access shoes.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are only permitted on overlook areas and must be on a leash. They are not allowed in other parts of the park.
Comentários