---
id: "100006"
name: Island in the Sky Scenic Drive
distance: "48.9"
duration: Allow 1 hour to drive or 1 day to explore.
description: The Island in the Sky mesa rests on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet (304 m) above the surrounding terrain. Every overlook offers a different perspective on Canyonlands' spectacular landscape.
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organization:
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/islandinthesky.htm
    name: Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky
websites:
  - url: https://www.thearmchairexplorer.com/utah/canyonlands-national-park.php
    name: The Armchair Explorer
attractions:
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/alcove-spring-trail.htm
    name: Alcove Spring Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/aztec-butte-trail.htm
    name: Aztec Butte Granaries
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/aztec-butte-trail.htm
    name: Aztec Butte Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/buck-canyon-overlook.htm
    name: Buck Canyon Overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/candlestick-tower-overlook.htm
    name: Candlestick Tower Overlook
  - url: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/759280960
    name: Grand View Point
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/grand-view-point-grand-view-point-overlook.htm
    name: Grand View Point Overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/grand-view-point.htm
    name: Grand Viewpoint Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/green-river-overlook.htm
    name: Green River Overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/green-river-overlook.htm
    name: Green River Overlook Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/islandinthesky.htm
    name: Island in the Sky Visitor Center
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/lathrop-trail.htm
    name: Lathrop Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/mesa-arch.htm
    name: Mesa Arch
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/mesa-arch.htm
    name: Mesa Arch Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/murphy-point-trail.htm
    name: Murphy Point Overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/murphy-point-trail.htm
    name: Murphy Point Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/orange-cliffs-overlook.htm
    name: Orange Cliff Overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/shafer-canyon-overlook-dropping-into-the-canyons.htm
    name: Shafer Canyon Overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/shafer-canyon-overlook-dropping-into-the-canyons.htm
    name: Shafer Canyon Overlook Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/shafer-trail-viewpoint.htm
    name: Shafer Trail Viewpoint
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/experience-the-shafer-trail.htm
    name: Shaffer Trail Road 4WD
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/neck-spring-trail.htm
    name: The Neck
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/upheaval-dome-overlook-trails.htm
    name: Upheaval Dome first overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/upheaval-dome-overlook-trails.htm
    name: Upheaval Dome second overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/upheaval-dome.htm
    name: Upheaval Dome Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/whale-rock-trail.htm
    name: Whale Rock
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/whale-rock-trail.htm
    name: Whale Rock Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/white-rim-overlook-trail.htm
    name: White Rim Overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/white-rim-overlook-trail.htm
    name: White Rim Overlook Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/whiterimroad.htm
    name: White Rim Road 4WD
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/wilhite-trail.htm
    name: Wilhite Trail
designations:
  - Park Scenic Drive
states:
  - UT
ll:
  - -109.79251471827783
  - 38.55259944197567
bounds:
  - - -109.93374824523926
    - 38.30335406926102
  - - -109.79251471827783
    - 38.55259944197567

---

The Island in the Sky mesa rests on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet (304 m) above the surrounding terrain. Every overlook offers a different perspective on Canyonlands' spectacular landscape. Island in the Sky is the easiest area of Canyonlands to visit in a short period of time, offering many pullouts with spectacular views along the paved scenic drive. Hiking trails or four-wheel-drive roads can take you into the backcountry for a few hours or many days.

There are hundreds of miles of unpaved roads in Canyonlands, providing access to various campsites, trailheads, and viewpoints in the park's backcountry. Most roads require high-clearance, low range four-wheel-drive. Roads range in difficulty from intermediate to extremely technical. Research your route thoroughly before attempting these roads.