The Three Districts of Canyonlands

Canyonlands is divided into three major districts, each separated by the Colorado and Green Rivers. While they share common geological origins, they each have unique characteristics.

1. Island in the Sky

• Island in the Sky is a high mesa that rises over 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape offering expansive views of the Colorado and Green River canyons.

•  The district’s elevation provides panoramic perspectives of the park’s layered rock formations and steep cliffs, with the White Rim Sandstone forming a distinctive shelf below the mesa. 

• Island in the Sky highlights the erosional forces at work, showcasing deep canyons and dramatic geological contrasts. 

2. The Needles

• Named for the towering, colorful sandstone spires that dominate the landscape, The Needles district offers a labyrinth of rock pinnacles, arches, and canyons. 

• The Needles district features formations created by erosion along natural rock joints. 

• The vertical cracks in Cedar Mesa Sandstone allowed weathering to carve the rock into tall, needle-like formations, showcasing bands of red and white rock. 

3. The Maze

• The Maze is the most remote and least accessible district in Canyonlands. 

• Famous for its complex system of twisting, narrow canyons, known for confusing early explorers, hence the name. Isolated by the Colorado and Green Rivers, The Maze has remained largely untouched by human activity, preserving its complex rock formations shaped by erosional processes. 

This video will take you through a virtual tour of Canyonlands National Park and how it was created.

Unique Features of Canyonlands National Park