Al Braden Photographer

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Canyonlands

5 galleries

Canyonlands National Park was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 to preserve the amazing lands at the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. These form the precious water supply of the American Southwest - and their deep canyons divide the park into three vastly different and separate zones - Island in the Sky, Needles and The Maze - that require separate plans to visit. There is no easy way to appreciate Canyonlands in one trip. A forth unit, Horseshoe Canyon, displays the most iconic Barrier Canyon style rock art found anywhere.

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  • Needles
    Needles
    8 galleries
    Canyonlands Needles District is both a hikers and 4WD driver's paradise. Glimpses of the Needles can be seen from a couple paved overlooks, but the real magic of the place requires serious planning and permits. Hiking and off road camp permits open the door to some geologic wonders in banded spires - and ancient artwork. For a video tour of Canyonlands Needles Off Road and Back Trails, see https://bit.ly/CanyonlandsTrails2023
  • Island In The Sky
    Island In The Sky
    14 images
    The astonishing mega views from the Island In The Sky District are what most people think of Canyonlands. The busses pull up here, people get out. Ohhhh. Ahhhhhhh. They are the first views I saw. Their imprint made me come back and find a way to see more. The Shaffer Trail switchbacks told me only crazy people would go down there. I'm glad now to be a 'crazy people,' because that's how you get to the White Rim Trail. It's actually a good road - if you don't look down. See video: https://bit.ly/WhiteRim2023
  • White Rim
    White Rim
    51 images
    One of the most epic drives in the West - Canyonlands White Rim Road traces the layer of hard white rock around countless canyons that lead down to the Colorado and Green Rives. Campsites are few and precious and must be gotten early. There are may more mountain bikers than drivers on this route and each finds it the trip of a lifetime. Some of the views are in my video: https://bit.ly/WhiteRim2023
  • Dead Horse Point S.P.
    Dead Horse Point S.P.
    12 images
    Just east of Canyonlands Island In The Sky is Dead Horse Point State Park. Don't miss it as the views of the meandering Colorado are out of this world. If you want to explore down below, the Shaffer Trail connects to the Potash Road and takes you around back to Moab without a need for a permit.
  • Newspaper Rock
    Newspaper Rock
    4 images
    The road into the Needles District passes Newspaper Rock where you can catch up with the latest news for the thousand years or so. It is an unimaginable tangle of stories covering ancient to recent times.