Joel's Journeys #21 - Canyonlands & Dead Horse National Parks, Utah

Submitted by Bubbling Sprin… on

Our last blog (#20) finished up in Capitol Reef National Park where I said you could continue on Highway 24 northeast to Interstate 70 (map here). From I-70 continue east for 40 miles to the junction with Highway 191 south which is the way to Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. Drive south on Highway 191 for about 35 miles to Highway 313 and go west about 25 miles to Canyonlands. In this national park, both the Green River and Colorado River cut through and create, via erosion, some beautiful canyons before the Green River joins the Colorado. Just north of here John Wesley Powell began his journey on the Green River in 1873 and went all the way south through the Grand Canyon by boat on the Colorado.

Highway 313 goes through the park in the Island in the Sky section, where there are many spectacular views down into the canyon.  A must visit is the half-mile trail to Mesa Arch, famous for the photos from sunrise but you will have to fight the crowds. On the way back to Highway 191, Dead Horse State Park should also be visited for more shots looking down to the Colorado. This state park was the setting for scenes from Mission Impossible 2 and the ending of Thelma and Louise. 

 

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