Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park
The best months to visit Canyonlands National Park are February, March and November — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. May is the crowd peak (121,964 monthly visits); January is quietest at 9% of peak.
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- Trip-planning tips for 2026 (Information)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Canyonlands month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Shoulder | 11,501 | 9% | 42°F / 17°F | 0.4″ | 9.8h |
| February | Best window | 17,354 | 14% | 49°F / 23°F | 0.6″ | 10.8h |
| March | Best window | 77,847 | 64% | 59°F / 30°F | 0.6″ | 11.9h |
| April | Peak crowds | 106,825 | 88% | 67°F / 36°F | 0.7″ | 13.2h |
| May | Peak crowds | 121,964 | 100% | 77°F / 46°F | 0.7″ | 14.2h |
| June | Peak crowds | 93,121 | 76% | 89°F / 56°F | 0.3″ | 14.8h |
| July | Shoulder | 71,855 | 59% | 95°F / 63°F | 0.9″ | 14.6h |
| August | Shoulder | 64,013 | 52% | 92°F / 61°F | 1.0″ | 13.7h |
| September | Peak crowds | 98,545 | 81% | 84°F / 51°F | 0.8″ | 12.5h |
| October | Peak crowds | 96,016 | 79% | 70°F / 38°F | 1.1″ | 11.3h |
| November | Best window | 42,203 | 35% | 55°F / 26°F | 0.6″ | 10.1h |
| December | Shoulder | 19,880 | 16% | 42°F / 18°F | 0.6″ | 9.5h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CANYONLANDS-THE NEEDLES, UT US (0 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Canyonlands each year
Canyonlands National Park had 796,057 recreation visits in 2025, 3% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2021, with 911,594. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 821,124 visits a year, which makes it the 29th most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 796,057 | −3% |
| 2024 | 818,492 | +2% |
| 2023 | 800,322 | +3% |
| 2022 | 779,147 | −15% |
| 2021 | 911,594 | +85% |
| 2020 | 493,914 | −33% |
| 2019 | 733,996 | −1% |
| 2018 | 739,449 | 0% |
| 2017 | 742,271 | −4% |
| 2016 | 776,218 | +22% |
| 2015 | 634,607 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Canyonlands in February
Computed from February's weather normals — Canyonlands's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 23°F, below freezing
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Canyonlands?
February, March and November rank best for Canyonlands on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Canyonlands?
May: an average of 121,964 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is January, at 9% of the May peak.
When is Canyonlands least crowded with decent conditions?
January. It is the park's quietest month (9% of the May peak, 11,501 average visits) without harsh-season weather.
How many people visit Canyonlands per year?
Canyonlands National Park had 796,057 recreation visits in 2025, 3% fewer than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2021, with 911,594. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 821,124 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Canyonlands through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 95°F. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 17°F. The wettest month is October, with 1.1″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, CANYONLANDS-THE NEEDLES, UT US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Canyonlands ranks against all 63 parks in February, March and November.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks