Outside the park: Canyonlands National Park

Outside of Canyonlands National Park lie the towns of Monticello, Green River, and Moab, which is where you'll find most of your lodging, shopping, and dining options. Nearby parks include Arches National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Green River is basically a pit stop on I-70, and Monticello is a staunch Mormon farming town, although it's guarded by the little-trammeled Abajo Mountains and is also a gateway to the incredible Dark Canyon Primitive Area. Most people spend more time in Moab, and for good reason. Moab is a destination unto itself, boasting world-class rock climbing and mountain biking, and being no slouch in the river rafting and kayaking department either, what with the Colorado River running right through town. Visit the sister companies of The Moab Adventure Center and Red Rock Outfitters to get a handle on your outdoor activities. Quench your thirst at the Moab Brewery or Eddie McStiff's. Stroll through downtown and take in the Southwest-themed bookstores, gorgeous local artisan crafts, and a decent variety of restaurants, including sushi, vegetarian, Mexican, and good old American diner food. Arches National Park is also accessed directly from Moab via a winding road that transports you up through the stunning sandstone vistas, sometimes even offering a glimpse of a shy bighorn sheep defying gravity on some minuscule rocky perch. Most visitors combine their parks and visit both Cnayonlands and Arches. © NileGuide