White Rim Trail

The White Rim Trail/Road is a 100-mile 4WD track which runs around the entire White Rim, a plateau below the vast Island in the Sky formation at the heart of northern Canyonlands National Park. Below the White Rim (so-called because of the layer of hard pale rock at its top), the inner Colorado and Green River canyons fall in fantastical cliffs and formations.

While it is most popular with off-roaders, it is often beautiful and always interesting walking, as well. That said, the law of diminishing returns applies, so you can arguably spend valuable walking time better.

Breathtaking views across this harsh, deeply eroded landscape of broken red sandstone.

Not many people walk the entire trail. There are quite a few trails from the Island in the Sky down to meet the White Rim Trail, so it is very feasible to walk down to join the White Rim Trail and then to return up another trail to make a satisfying multi-day circuit. Issues of how to get back to your car!

Can be tough walking in hot dry desert. Come fully prepared, bringing enough water.

See our Canyonlands National Park page for more general and practical information and photos.