Canyonlands National Park is a wilderness of countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Rivers divide the park into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. The park preserves the natural beauty and human history throughout its four districts. While they share a primitive desert atmosphere, each offers different opportunities for wildness and solitude. Though they appear close on a map, there are no roads that directly link the districts. Traveling between them requires two to eight hours by car as there are no locations in the park to cross the river without a boat. The rugged backcountry four-wheel drive roads of the park offer a unique opportunity to experience the park by four-wheel drive vehicle, motorcycle, and mountain bike. These roads embody the wild character of the park’s backcountry. A high-clearance, low-range four-wheel drive vehicle is required along with experience driving rough roads, and proper planning. Due to the remoteness, towing costs will exceed $1,000. Island in the Sky: White Rim Road The 100-mile four-wheel drive White Rim Road loops around and below the Island in the Sky mesa top and provides expansive views of the surrounding area. The steep, exposed sections of the Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon Road, Murphy Hogback, Hardscrabble Hill, and the Mineral Bottom switchbacks make the White Rim loop a challenging adventure for both vehicles and mountain bikes. Extreme caution is advised during periods of inclement weather. During high water conditions on the Green River (May-June), sections of road on the west side can flood, making a complete loop impossible. Day trips along the full loop can take over 12 hours whether driving or riding, whereas an out and back trip can be of any length. Mountain biking the full loop in one day is only recommended for the very well prepared and fit. Needles The Needles offers around 50 miles of challenging backcountry roads. All of these roads require experienced four-wheel driving skills. Inexperienced drivers or motorcyclists should not attempt these roads. There is a high risk of vehicle damage.