Canyonlands National Park, in southeastern Utah, is a vast wilderness of canyons, mesas and buttes carved by the Colorado River, and its wildlife is adapted to the dry climate. Larger mammals include mule deer, coyotes and the elusive mountain lion, and black-tailed jackrabbits, desert cottontails and many kinds of rodents live here too. Collared lizards, gopher snakes and side-blotched lizards are often seen basking on rocks.
Golden eagles, red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons soar overhead, while canyon wrens and white-throated swifts flit along the cliffs. The park’s scarce water sources are oases for many of these animals. Keep reading to see featured photos of Canyonlands wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Canyonlands National Park Wildlife Photographs
Have a National Park Wildlife photograph you’d like featured? Contact us today to learn more!
Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography in the US National Parks offers a unique and enriching experience, as these protected areas are havens for diverse species and pristine natural landscapes. Capturing wildlife in such settings requires preparation and respect for both the environment and its inhabitants. Photographers should familiarize themselves with the specific animals and ecosystems of the park they are visiting, as each park hosts different species and behaviors. Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the golden hours, provide the best light and increased wildlife activity. Different seasons also offer different wildlife viewing opportunities. Patience and stillness are key, as the best moments often come to those who wait quietly.
If wildlife does present itself, always make sure to maintain a safe distance. Using a telephoto lens allows for close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. If you already own or want to own a professional grade mirrored camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR, we recommend using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens zoom lens for wildlife photography. If you have or are interested in a newer mirrorless model like the Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, we recommend using a Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black for long distance shots.
Not quite ready to invest in traditional professional-grade camera equipment but want to enhance the quality of your cell phone photographs? Consider using a Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens II for improved reach, and use a Moment camera case with a lens mount to attach it to your phone. Since cell phones generally cannot provide the same reach as a dedicated telephoto camera lens, never compensate by moving dangerously close to wildlife. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while photographing wildlife.
Want to take your wildlife photos further? Featured photographer Vella Torvik shares her field-tested advice on gear, camera settings, light, composition and safely approaching wildlife in our Wildlife Photography 101: Insider Tips From the Field masterclass.
Canyonlands Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Canyonlands National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America: Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Western North America, Fifth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
- Peterson Field Guide To Western Reptiles & Amphibians, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Wildlife and Nature Identification)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Canyonlands National Park Species List
The wildlife at Canyonlands National Park is beautiful and diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish to view. Check out all the incredible species this park has to offer! Click on the links below to see the different animal species that inhabit Canyonlands National Park:
Species Spotlight
Photo posts of animals you’ll find in Canyonlands.
American BadgerMammal · Uncommon
Bighorn SheepMammal · Uncommon
CoyoteMammal · Uncommon
Mule DeerMammal · Uncommon
American RobinBird · Uncommon
Bald EagleBird · Uncommon
Steller’s JayBird · Uncommon
American Black BearMammal · Rare
BobcatMammal · Rare
Mountain LionMammal · Rare
Common LoonBird · Rare
Sandhill CraneBird · RareCanyonlands National Park Mammals
49 species
- Allen’s Big-eared Bat(Idionycteris phyllotis)
- American Badger Photo post(Taxidea taxus)
- American Beaver(Castor canadensis)
- American Black Bear Photo post(Ursus americanus)
- Big Brown Bat(Eptesicus fuscus)
- Big Free-tailed Bat(Nyctinomops macrotis)
- Bighorn Sheep Photo post(Ovis canadensis)
- Black-tailed Jackrabbit(Lepus californicus)
- Bobcat Photo post(Lynx rufus)
- Botta’s Pocket Gopher(Thomomys bottae)
- Brazilian Free-tailed Bat(Tadarida brasiliensis)
- Brush Mouse(Peromyscus boylii)
- Bushy-tailed Woodrat(Neotoma cinerea)
- California Myotis(Myotis californicus)
- Canyon Mouse(Peromyscus crinitus)
- Common Gray Fox(Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
- Common Muskrat(Ondatra zibethicus)
- Coyote Photo post(Canis latrans)
- Deer Mouse(Peromyscus maniculatus)
- Desert Cottontail(Sylvilagus audubonii)
- Desert Woodrat(Neotoma lepida)
- Elk Photo post(Cervus canadensis)
- Fringed Myotis(Myotis thysanodes)
- Great Basin Pocket Mouse(Perognathus parvus)
- Hoary Bat(Aeorestes cinereus)
- Hopi Chipmunk(Neotamias rufus)
- Long-eared Myotis(Myotis evotis)
- Long-legged Myotis(Myotis volans)
- Mexican Woodrat(Neotoma mexicana)
- Mountain Lion Photo post(Puma concolor)
- Mule Deer Photo post(Odocoileus hemionus)
- Northern Grasshopper Mouse(Onychomys leucogaster)
- Northern River Otter(Lontra canadensis)
- Ord’s Kangaroo Rat(Dipodomys ordii)
- Pallid Bat(Antrozous pallidus)
- Pinon Mouse(Peromyscus truei)
- Plains Pocket Mouse(Perognathus flavescens)
- Ringtail(Bassariscus astutus)
- Rock Squirrel(Otospermophilus variegatus)
- Silver-haired Bat(Lasionycteris noctivagans)
- Spotted Bat(Euderma maculatum)
- Striped Skunk(Mephitis mephitis)
- Townsend’s Big-eared Bat(Corynorhinus townsendii)
- Western Harvest Mouse(Reithrodontomys megalotis)
- Western Pipistrelle(Parastrellus hesperus)
- Western Spotted Skunk(Spilogale gracilis)
- Western White-throated Woodrat(Neotoma albigula)
- White-tailed Antelope Squirrel(Ammospermophilus leucurus)
- Yuma Myotis(Myotis yumanensis)
No mammals match.
Canyonlands National Park Birds
205 species
- American Avocet(Recurvirostra americana)
- American Coot(Fulica americana)
- American Crow(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
- American Dipper(Cinclus mexicanus)
- American Goldfinch(Spinus tristis)
- American Kestrel(Falco sparverius)
- American Pipit(Anthus rubescens)
- American Redstart(Setophaga ruticilla)
- American Robin Photo post(Turdus migratorius)
- American White Pelican(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
- American Wigeon(Mareca americana)
- Ash-throated Flycatcher(Myiarchus cinerascens)
- Bald Eagle Photo post(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Bank Swallow(Riparia riparia)
- Barn Swallow(Hirundo rustica)
- Barrow’s Goldeneye(Bucephala islandica)
- Belted Kingfisher(Megaceryle alcyon)
- Bewick’s Wren(Thryomanes bewickii)
- Black Phoebe(Sayornis nigricans)
- Black-billed Magpie(Pica hudsonia)
- Black-capped Chickadee(Poecile atricapillus)
- Black-chinned Hummingbird(Archilochus alexandri)
- Black-chinned Sparrow(Spizella atrogularis)
- Black-crowned Night-heron(Nycticorax nycticorax)
- Black-headed Grosbeak(Pheucticus melanocephalus)
- Black-necked Stilt(Himantopus mexicanus)
- Black-rosy Finch(Leucosticte atrata)
- Black-tailed Gnatcatcher(Polioptila melanura)
- Black-throated Gray Warbler(Setophaga nigrescens)
- Black-throated Sparrow(Amphispiza bilineata)
- Blue Grosbeak(Passerina caerulea)
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea)
- Blue-winged Teal(Spatula discors)
- Brewer’s Blackbird(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
- Brewer’s Sparrow(Spizella breweri)
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird(Selasphorus platycercus)
- Brown Creeper(Certhia americana)
- Brown Thrasher(Toxostoma rufum)
- Brown-headed Cowbird(Molothrus ater)
- Bufflehead(Bucephala albeola)
- Bullock’s Oriole(Icterus bullockii)
- Burrowing Owl(Athene cunicularia)
- Bushtit(Psaltriparus minimus)
- California Gull(Larus californicus)
- Canada Goose(Branta canadensis)
- Canyon Wren(Catherpes mexicanus)
- Cassin’s Finch(Haemorhous cassinii)
- Cassin’s Kingbird(Tyrannus vociferans)
- Cattle Egret(Bubulcus ibis)
- Cedar Waxwing(Bombycilla cedrorum)
- Chihuahuan Raven(Corvus cryptoleucus)
- Chipping Sparrow(Spizella passerina)
- Chukar(Alectoris chukar)
- Cinnamon Teal(Spatula cyanoptera)
- Clark’s Nutcracker(Nucifraga columbiana)
- Cliff Swallow(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
- Common Goldeneye(Bucephala clangula)
- Common Loon Photo post(Gavia immer)
- Common Merganser(Mergus merganser)
- Common Nighthawk(Chordeiles minor)
- Common Poorwill(Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)
- Common Raven(Corvus corax)
- Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas)
- Cooper’s Hawk(Accipiter cooperii)
- Cordilleran Flycatcher(Empidonax difficilis occidentalis)
- Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed)(Junco hyemalis caniceps)
- Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon)(Junco hyemalis oreganus)
- Dark-eyed Junco (Pink-sided)(Junco hyemalis mearnsi)
- Downy Woodpecker(Dryobates pubescens)
- Dusky Flycatcher(Empidonax oberholseri)
- Eared Grebe(Podiceps nigricollis)
- European Starling(Sturnus vulgaris)
- Evening Grosbeak(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
- Ferruginous Hawk(Buteo regalis)
- Flammulated Owl(Psiloscops flammeolus)
- Forster’s Tern(Sterna forsteri)
- Franklin’s Gull(Leucophaeus pipixcan)
- Gadwall(Mareca strepera)
- Gambel’s Quail(Callipepla gambelii)
- Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos)
- Golden-crowned Kinglet(Regulus satrapa)
- Grace’s Warbler(Setophaga graciae)
- Gray Catbird(Dumetella carolinensis)
- Gray Flycatcher(Empidonax wrightii)
- Gray Jay(Perisoreus canadensis)
- Gray Vireo(Vireo vicinior)
- Gray-crowned Rosy-finch(Leucosticte tephrocotis)
- Great Blue Heron(Ardea herodias)
- Great Horned Owl(Bubo virginianus)
- Greater Sage- Grouse(Centrocercus urophasianus)
- Greater Yellowlegs(Tringa melanoleuca)
- Green Heron(Butorides virescens)
- Green-tailed Towhee(Pipilo chlorurus)
- Green-winged Teal(Anas crecca)
- Hairy Woodpecker(Dryobates villosus)
- Hammond’s Flycatcher(Empidonax hammondii)
- Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus)
- Horned Grebe(Podiceps auritus)
- Horned Lark(Eremophila alpestris)
- House Finch(Haemorhous mexicanus)
- House Wren(Troglodytes aedon)
- Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea)
- Juniper Titmouse(Baeolophus ridgwayi)
- Killdeer(Charadrius vociferus)
- Lark Bunting(Calamospiza melanocorys)
- Lark Sparrow(Chondestes grammacus)
- Lazuli Bunting(Passerina amoena)
- Lesser Goldfinch(Spinus psaltria)
- Lesser Nighthawk(Chordeiles acutipennis)
- Lesser Scaup(Aythya affinis)
- Lewis’s Woodpecker(Melanerpes lewis)
- Lincoln’s Sparrow(Melospiza lincolnii)
- Loggerhead Shrike(Lanius ludovicianus)
- Long-billed Curlew(Numenius americanus)
- Long-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus scolopaceus)
- Long-eared Owl(Asio otus)
- Lucy’s Warbler(Leiothlypis luciae)
- MacGillivray’s Warbler(Geothlypis tolmiei)
- Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos)
- Marsh Wren(Cistothorus palustris)
- Merlin(Falco columbarius)
- Mexican Spotted Owl(Strix occidentalis lucida)
- Mountain Bluebird(Sialia currucoides)
- Mountain Chickadee(Poecile gambeli)
- Mourning Dove(Zenaida macroura)
- Nashville Warbler(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
- Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus)
- Northern Goshawk(Accipiter gentilis)
- Northern Harrier(Circus hudsonius)
- Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos)
- Northern Pintail(Anas acuta)
- Northern Pygmy-owl(Glaucidium gnoma)
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
- Northern Saw-whet Owl(Aegolius acadicus)
- Northern Shoveler(Spatula clypeata)
- Northern Shrike(Lanius borealis)
- Northern Waterthrush(Parkesia noveboracensis)
- Olive-sided Flycatcher(Contopus cooperi)
- Orange-crowned Warbler(Leiothlypis celata)
- Osprey(Pandion haliaetus)
- Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)
- Phainopepla(Phainopepla nitens)
- Pied-billed Grebe(Podilymbus podiceps)
- Pine Siskin(Spinus pinus)
- Pinyon Jay(Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus)
- Plumbeous Vireo(Vireo plumbeus)
- Prairie Falcon(Falco mexicanus)
- Purple Finch(Haemorhous purpureus)
- Red-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta canadensis)
- Red-naped Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus nuchalis)
- Red-tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis)
- Red-winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus)
- Ring-billed Gull(Larus delawarensis)
- Ring-necked Duck(Aythya collaris)
- Ring-necked Pheasant(Phasianus colchicus)
- Rock Pigeon(Columba livia)
- Rock Wren(Salpinctes obsoletus)
- Rough-legged Hawk(Buteo lagopus)
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet(Corthylio calendula)
- Rufous Hummingbird(Selasphorus rufus)
- Rufous-crowned Sparrow(Aimophila ruficeps)
- Sage Thrasher(Oreoscoptes montanus)
- Sagebrush Sparrow(Artemisiospiza nevadensis)
- Sandhill Crane Photo post(Antigone canadensis)
- Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis)
- Say’s Phoebe(Sayornis saya)
- Scott’s Oriole(Icterus parisorum)
- Sharp-shinned Hawk(Accipiter striatus)
- Snowy Egret(Egretta thula)
- Solitary Sandpiper(Tringa solitaria)
- Song Sparrow(Melospiza melodia)
- Sora(Porzana carolina)
- Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularius)
- Spotted Towhee(Pipilo maculatus)
- Steller’s Jay Photo post(Cyanocitta stelleri)
- Swainson’s Hawk(Buteo swainsoni)
- Townsend’s Solitaire(Myadestes townsendi)
- Townsend’s Warbler(Setophaga townsendi)
- Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor)
- Turkey Vulture(Cathartes aura)
- Vesper Sparrow(Pooecetes gramineus)
- Violet-green Swallow(Tachycineta thalassina)
- Virginia Rail(Rallus limicola)
- Virginia’s Warbler(Leiothlypis virginiae)
- Warbling Vireo(Vireo gilvus)
- Western Bluebird(Sialia mexicana)
- Western Grebe(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
- Western Kingbird(Tyrannus verticalis)
- Western Meadowlark(Sturnella neglecta)
- Western Screech-owl(Megascops kennicottii)
- Western Tanager(Piranga ludoviciana)
- Western Wood-pewee(Contopus sordidulus)
- White-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis)
- White-crowned Sparrow(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
- White-faced Ibis(Plegadis chihi)
- White-throated Swift(Aeronautes saxatalis)
- Willet(Tringa semipalmata)
- Williamson’s Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus thyroideus)
- Willow Flycatcher(Empidonax traillii)
- Wilson’s Warbler(Cardellina pusilla)
- Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay(Aphelocoma woodhouseii)
- Yellow Warbler(Setophaga petechia)
- Yellow-breasted Chat(Icteria virens)
- Yellow-headed Blackbird(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
- Yellow-rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata)
No birds match.
Canyonlands National Park Reptiles
18 species
- Black-necked Gartersnake(Thamnophis cyrtopsis)
- Common Sagebrush Lizard(Sceloporus graciosus)
- Desert Spiny Lizard(Sceloporus magister)
- Eastern Collared Lizard(Crotaphytus collaris)
- Eastern Racer(Coluber constrictor)
- Gophersnake(Pituophis catenifer)
- Great Basin Collared Lizard(Crotaphytus bicinctores)
- Greater Short-horned Lizard(Phrynosoma hernandesi)
- Long-nosed Leopard Lizard(Gambelia wislizenii)
- Midget Faded Rattlesnake(Crotalus oreganus concolor)
- Nightsnake(Hypsiglena torquata)
- Plateau Lizard(Sceloporus tristichus)
- Side-blotched Lizard(Uta stansburiana)
- Smith’s Black-headed Snake(Tantilla hobartsmithi)
- Striped Whipsnake(Masticophis taeniatus)
- Terrestrial Gartersnake(Thamnophis elegans)
- Tiger Whiptail(Aspidoscelis tigris)
- Tree Lizard(Urosaurus ornatus)
No reptiles match.
Canyonlands National Park Amphibians
6 species
- American Bullfrog(Lithobates catesbeianus)
- Great Basin Spadefoot(Spea intermontana)
- Northern Leopard Frog(Lithobates pipiens)
- Red-spotted Toad(Anaxyrus punctatus)
- Tiger Salamander(Ambystoma tigrinum)
- Woodhouse’s Toad(Anaxyrus woodhousii)
No amphibians match.
Canyonlands National Park Fish
32 species
- Black Bullhead(Ameiurus melas)
- Black Crappie(Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
- Bluegill(Lepomis macrochirus)
- Bluehead Sucker(Pantosteus discobolus)
- Bonytail(Gila elegans)
- Brassy Minnow(Hybognathus hankinsoni)
- Brown Trout(Salmo trutta)
- Channel Catfish(Ictalurus punctatus)
- Colorado Pikeminnow(Ptychocheilus lucius)
- Common Carp(Cyprinus carpio)
- Fathead Minnow(Pimephales promelas)
- Flannelmouth Sucker(Catostomus latipinnis)
- Green Sunfish(Lepomis cyanellus)
- Humpback Chub(Gila cypha)
- Kokanee Salmon(Oncorhynchus nerka)
- Largemouth Bass(Micropterus salmoides)
- Northern Pike(Esox lucius)
- Northern Plains Killifish(Fundulus kansae)
- Rainbow Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Razorback Sucker(Xyrauchen texanus)
- Red Shiner(Cyprinella lutrensis)
- Roundtail Chub(Gila robusta)
- Sand Shiner(Notropis stramineus)
- Smallmouth Bass(Micropterus dolomieu)
- Speckled Dace(Rhinichthys osculus)
- Striped Bass(Morone saxatilis)
- Threadfin Shad(Dorosoma petenense)
- Utah Chub(Gila atraria)
- Walleye(Sander vitreus)
- Western Mosquitofish(Gambusia affinis)
- White Sucker(Catostomus commersonii)
- Yellow Bullhead(Ameiurus natalis)
No fish match.
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Canyonlands National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
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