Special walks or programs may be arranged for large groups by contacting the districts directly:

Island in the Sky: (435) 259-4712
Needles: (435) 259-4711
Horseshoe Canyon: (435) 259-2652

Rangers offer evening astronomy programs at the Island in the Sky District during spring and fall. Ask at the visitor center for details.

Junior Ranger Program

Free Junior Ranger booklets are available at park visitor centers. Filled with fun activities, these books reveal the wonders of Canyonlands to kids and parents alike. By completing certain exercises, participants earn a Junior Ranger badge and signed certificate. Activities are designed for ages 6 to 12.

Canyon Country Outdoor Education

Canyon Country Outdoor Education (CCOE) is a cooperative venture between the National Park Service, local school districts and nonprofit organizations in southeast Utah. Field trips are conducted to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument and other areas.

The purpose of this program is:

• To support the mission of the National Park Service and the Parks as Classrooms® program, as well as Park management’s goals.
• To help students safely experience and understand natural and cultural resources of our national parks, surrounding areas and the earth as a whole.
• To enhance existing state approved science curricula.
• To expose students to a wide range of environmentally responsible activities in the outdoors so they can develop skills, judgment, confidence and sensitivity.
• To raise environmental awareness in the younger generation to prepare them for future roles as decision makers and voters.

Curriculum Materials

CCOE has published field trip plans suitable for grades one through six. While these trips were designed to be used in southeast Utah, many can be adapted to other sites, and some activities could work in completely different ecosystems. These plans are available in PDF format.

For More Information

To learn more about the program or obtain help in adapting lesson plans contact:

National Park Service
Canyon Country Outdoor Education
PO Box 907
Moab, UT 84532
435-719-2206 phone
435-587-2305 fax