Canyonlands Natural History Association

06/04/2026

Find inspiration at Hovenweep this June!

Community Artist in the Parks Chrissy Noel Kisnlow will be spending several days creating art throughout Hovenweep National Monument, and you're invited to join her!

Watch as Chrissy transforms the landscapes and cultural heritage of Hovenweep into art, or bring your own sketchbook, paints, pencils, or creative tools and work alongside her in a shared artistic experience.

No registration required, just bring water, sun protection, and your imagination.

📍 Hovenweep National Monument

Friday, June 12
Square Tower Group
9 am–12 pm & 1 pm–4 pm

Saturday, June 13
Cajon Site
9 am–12 pm & 1 pm–4 pm

Saturday, June 20
Horseshoe/Hackberry Site
9 am–12 pm & 1 pm–4 pm

Sunday, June 21
Little Ruin Canyon Overlook
9 am–12 pm & 1 pm–4 pm

06/03/2026

Every now and then, on a quiet afternoon, nature decides to put on a show for anyone who happens to be passing by. A lizard crossing the path at Hovenweep took a quick detour to catch and devour a black widow spider right in front of visitors. It was a real treat for those who hadn't seen something like that before! And a good reminder of the role lizards play in the big picture and why we love our lizards at Hovenweep.

NPS/N. Barber

06/02/2026

June is here! Whether you're hiking, camping, road-tripping, or discovering a new trail, we're excited to help fuel your adventures across the Colorado Plateau.

What's on your public lands bucket list this summer?

📷️ Kait Thomas (NPS) via Canyonlands NP Flickr

06/02/2026

Will we see you at Astrofest this weekend?!

Telescopes, constellations, astronomy…OH MY!
What do you hope to see when you watch the night sky?

The 5th Annual Southeast Utah Astro Fest this coming weekend has something for everyone to enjoy. Join rangers from all over Southeast Utah for talks, telescope viewing, constellation tours and more!

Important things to know before you go:
🌌 All outdoor programs are weather dependent. Check the forecast leading up to these events!
🌌 Event parking will be limited so carpooling is recommended. Traffic control will be in place during the hour(s) before the program begins. Larger vehicles, like RVs and campers, may have extra difficulty.
🌌 Those attending should be ready to spend a couple of hours outside in the dark. Please bring a red light, chairs, and extra layers.
🌌 Be mindful of your group’s needs. Younger children with established nighttime routines may find this program challenging.
🌌 Pets are discouraged. Please find suitable care for furry friends, as leaving pets inside vehicles for the duration of the event is not recommended.
🌌 For information on specific event locations and times, check the calendars on park websites or on the NPS app.

https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/annual-southeast-utah-astrofest.htm


NPS/Kat Connelly

Alt Text: A multicolored illustration of the milky way, a ranger silhouette, and sandstone monoliths promotes the fifth Annual Southeast Utah Astrofest 2026.

05/30/2026

Kick off the fifth annual Southeast Utah Astrofest by joining Dark Sky Ranger Kale Wernsing for an exploration of why darkness matters to everyone and everything, from people to plants.

June 4 at 6pm | Night Skies and National Parks: Shedding Light on the Dark by Kale Wernsing

With a focus on both academic research and industry implications, Ranger Kale will explore the role the National Park Service has played in the push for dark sky preservation, and how the Southeast Utah Group is particularly involved in this effort.

📍 Moab Information Center | Free & open to the public

05/26/2026

We’re excited to share CNHA’s first-ever Lookbook!

This new lookbook reflects on the past five years of supporting public lands across the Colorado Plateau through education, research, interpretation, stewardship, and community partnerships.

From national parks and monuments to forests and canyons, these pages highlight the people, projects, and partnerships that help connect visitors to the landscapes we all love.

As we approach nearly 60 years of partnership and over $30 million contributed to public land education and research efforts, we’re proud to celebrate how far we’ve come — and excited for what’s ahead.

Take a look: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/4b21141dfb.html

05/22/2026

Adventure starts here 🏕️☀️

From park tees and adventure badges to trail guides, kids books, mugs, stickers, and road trip essentials — gear up for your next national park adventure while supporting public lands.

🧡 20% off storewide
📅 Memorial Day Weekend only
🏷️ Use code: SUMMER26

Shop now at shop.cnha.org

05/21/2026

One of the coolest parts of what we do at CNHA is helping support educational opportunities that connect local students with public lands and future career paths 🌿🏜️

This spring, CNHA helped support the return of the Natural Resources Competition at Sand Island Campground after the event was unexpectedly canceled last fall due to the government shutdown.

High school students from Monticello, Blanding, Montezuma Creek, and Navajo Mountain spent the day participating in hands-on activities focused on range and recreation management, archaeology, and paleontology while learning directly from professionals with the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service.

The event gave students a chance to explore how public lands are managed while highlighting career opportunities available right here in their own communities. Teams earning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will receive scholarship awards at their end-of-year assemblies.

We’re proud to help support programs like this that inspire curiosity, education, stewardship, and the next generation of public lands professionals across the Colorado Plateau 💛

📷️ BLM

05/19/2026

The Moki Dugway was built in the 1950s by Texas Zinc Minerals as a route for ore trucks hauling uranium and vanadium from Cedar Mesa to the processing mill by Mexican Hat.

From the top of the dugway, you can see Sleeping Ute Mountain, Shiprock, the Carrizo Mountains, and Monument Valley.

Most vehicles can travel the route safely, but caution is advised for motor homes or vehicles pulling trailers.

Remember to be safe and always do your own research on the places you see on social media before you travel to them. 🥰

05/17/2026

What stories are hiding in the sand beneath your feet?⁠

May 21 at 6pm | Wildlife Tracking: Unraveling the Mysteries Around Us by Jonathan Jessop⁠
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Join Canyonlands National Park Ranger Jonathan Jessop as he explores the art and science of wildlife tracking. Discover how tracking can deepen your awareness and connection to the natural world, while learning the fundamentals through examples of local species that help guide and inform our understanding.⁠
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📍 Moab Information Center | Free & open to the public