Regional Guide: Desert Canyons of the Colorado Plateau

The Colorado Plateau is a slab of layered sandstone the size of New Mexico that got lifted a mile straight up. Rivers that were already on it kept cutting as it rose — and what you see today is the result: canyons instead of valleys.

Why they're canyons, not valleys

Rain is rare, so hillslopes don't wash back into gentle V-shapes. The walls stay near vertical because sandstone holds a cliff. A "valley" here is usually a slot with a dry wash at the bottom and desert varnish on the walls.

Entrenched meanders

The Colorado, Green, and San Juan rivers loop like lowland streams — but a thousand feet down. Those loops formed when the land was flat; the rivers kept their bends while the plateau rose. The Goosenecks of the San Juan and Deadhorse Point above Moab are the two most famous overlooks.

Moab as basecamp

Moab sits where Mill Creek joins the Colorado, with Arches to the north and Canyonlands to the west. The Moab road guide covers UT-128 along the Colorado and US-191 to the two parks.

When to go

March–May and September–November. Summer highs above 100°F are normal and flash floods close slot canyons on short notice. Winter is quiet, cold, and often the best light of the year.