Viewpoints of the Colorado River: Salt Creek, Canyonlands National Park

The distant Colorado River can be glimpsed from a few viewpoints in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, but it is much nearer to the Needles section, 137 miles away by road. The first opportunity to see the river close up is by walking down Big Springs Canyon and then the lower end of the larger drainage of Salt Creek; an off-trail hike but one without any great difficulties, leading after 5 miles to a bench 500 feet above the water, where two miles of the river are in view.

Big Spring Canyon and Salt Creek - full description