September 12th: The Day the Canyonlands Become a National Park

1964 was the year that the legendary Canyonlands were officially named a National Park of the USA. Located in the state of Utah, this extraordinary natural beauty spot attracts an average of 440, 039 visitors every year, with a multitude of activities available. The park includes the most accessible and popular Island in the Sky, the Colorado River and the Green River, which many visitors experience up close with activities in the wilderness, rocks or on the white waters. With a total area of 337,598 acres, the Canyonlands are definitely one of the most breathtaking, being both vast and beautiful.

The Canyonlands: A place like no other

   The most adventurous rapids in the Canyonlands is the Cataract Canyon which is one of the world's most actively filling canyons. The first successful journey down the Cataract Canyon to have been recorded was in 1869, but personally I don't want to know the details of the outcomes of those unsuccessful attempts! The Canyonlands can be an extremely dangerous place to be, despite their outstanding beauty. In 2003, visitor and adventurer Aron Ralston was trapped in a canyon near the Maze district, forcing him to cut off his own arm as his only chance of survival. 
   Another intriguing fact is that it has been discovered that humans have existed in the Canyonlands for some 4,000 years, as rock art drawings and pictographs have been found on the sandstone in the Horseshoe Canyon, which proved human habitation from an ancient era. A place rich with history and natural attraction is certainly worth the status of a National Park, and September 12th 1964 was the park's creation day. Have you ever been to visit the Canyonlands?