Island in the Sky Visitor Center, Canyonlands National Park

The visitor center on Canyonlands' Island in the Sky mesa, about 40 minutes from Moab via UT 313, has exhibits, a park orientation video, book and map sales, backcountry permits and rangers on duty. Rangers give geology talks at Grand View Point from spring through fall, and the paved scenic drive with its overlook pullouts starts here. Treat it as an introduction to the park rather than a full museum; the park entrance fee applies.