2026-07-18 Canyonlands Redux

Canyonlands Redux
For Saturday, July 18, 2026
Michael MacKuen

Today we shall take some time to explore the dramatic scenery of Utah's Canyonlands region. (We somehow have obtained permission to fly below 2,000 feet in the National Park.) We start from Moab’s Canyonlands Field with a quick tour of the Arches National Park. And then fly through various sections of the Canyonlands National park. First the “Island in the Sky” and then the Confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers and the ensuing whitewaters of Cataract Canyon. Afterwards we engage in some “backcountry flying” while trying out five strips adjacent to the Park’s “Maze” district. Finally, we see several of the sights near the Green River before returning to Canyonlands Field.


Out of Dirty Devil Airstrip

We begin at Canyonlands Field Airport [KCNY]. We head east to get a quick look at Arches National Park. (The park has been improved by the MSFS 2024 National Parks update in 2026. Happily, several of the park highlights have been modeled – some better than others. However a few of the famous sights remain beyond the current technology.) We see in sequence Landscape Arch, Skyline Arch, Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, Double Arch (not there), and Turret Arch. We continue to catch a view of Moab the prosperous tourist/retirement town within a canyon. We turn to follow the Colorado River partway through the 17 mile steeply-lined river course, aptly nicknamed "Wall Street." Taking a shortcut, we fly over the Intrepid Potash mining operations and look at the brilliantly colored Potash Ponds, evaporation pools that separate the potash from the brine solution used to extract it from the ground. We land at Tangri-La [UT68] (or the Caveman Ranch), a small fly-in "cave" hotel and resort.

We depart west tracing an adventurous 4x4 road that eventually switchbacks its way up the sheer face of Shafer Canyon [see the Pilots Guide for a description and video]. Climbing up over the "Island in the Sky" plateau, we follow the paved Grand View Point Road to the circular visitor parking lot. This Grand View Point provides a spectacular view of the Canyonlands.

Descending, we land at Rustler Canyon [09UT] which is a backcountry strip with an awesome view from the canyon floor. Then we fly to the canyon-framed Confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers (the Green is the larger of the two) and follow the Colorado through the 46 mile long whitewater section called Cataract Canyon. Pilots may choose to fly low along the Colorado as it courses through the canyon walls – the views are especially impressive after the Cataract Canyon marker. (A possible emergency landing strip is marked.) At the Dark Canyon marker, we turn south, climb up through Lost Canyon, and proceed to land at Fry Canyon Field [UT74]. Then westward, up over the mesas and ridges, to intersect with the northern section of Lake Powell which we follow up to Hite [UT03]. To the east you can see the Hite Crossing Bridge (possible inspection). Local pilots suggest we land on Rwy 09 and depart on Rwy 27. (The current FS2024 terrain model makes the eastern half of the runway unusable.) Surrounded by steep terrain that requires a circling approach/departure, the narrow curved uphill runway poses a challenge. In the Summer, the high altitude and high temperatures combine with strong crosswinds and updrafts/downdrafts to make Hite one of America’s most dangerous asphalt airstrips.

Then up the Dirty Devil River for a bit of backcountry fun. First we land at the elevated dirt strip Below Buckacre [UTBE]. Recommended is Rwy 03 and avoiding the first section of the visible runway. Then around Buckacre Point, we land at the difficult and potentially fascinating Poison Spring [UTPZ]. Again, recommended is circling along the high ridge and turning into Rwy 29. Here skip the first mound. (Happily, we have a visual reference point. Another pilot has parked his yellow Cub near the threshold to Rwy 29.) Then we proceed northward to land at the Dirty Devil Airstrip [42DD], a narrow sand runway on a small mesa within a canyon. (You want to descend into the canyon to set up your approach. Land south-to-north and take off north-to south.) We continue to Happy Canyon [UT97]. Here, local pilots recommend to land on Rwy 09(10) and depart on Rwy 27(28). The cross-wind runway is in poor condition. They also suggest, due to a rough western end of the runway, that the unfamiliar pilot take a circuit in order to judge the appropriate touch down point. In the final strip for this segment, we climb up on top of the mesa to land at Simplot Funky [42SF]. This is a long runway which can be landed in either direction. It has a great view to the south and east of the Park’s Maze district. (For specific airstrip information, reports, and photographs, see the Utah Back Country Pilots Association. Below Buckacre, Poison Spring, Dirty Devil, Happy Canyon, and Simplot Funky.)

Then north to pass the remote Hans Flat Ranger Station and descend into Millard Canyon. Descending to the canyon floor will give the pilot a chance to appreciate this "movie set" canyon landscape. Then we ascend to see the challenging rock climbing face on Cleopatra's Chair on top of the next mesa. (This rock face is worth a close circling look.) We then descend into Anderson Bottom, a fertile lowland along the Green that was ranched before it became a formal part of the Canyonlands National Park. There is no formal strip here anymore, as landing in the National Park is prohibited. So we shall execute a low-pass or a touch-and-go over a flattish area indicated by the map markers. If this becomes an extended length touch-and-go, take care with your surfaces.

Climbing out, we circle over the Upheaval Dome, a strange geologic formation whose origins have puzzled scientists for years. Recent research indicates that it is most likely a 60 million-year-old meteorite impact crater that has eroded and shifted over time. We follow the bends in the Green River to land at Mineral Canyon Strip (UT75). The well-maintained dirt runway lies along the east side of the river just south of the Bowknot Bend. There is some vegetation here which can attract wildlife: local pilots suggest taking care that the airstrip is clear. (See the Utah Backcountry reports and photographs about Mineral Canyon.) Finally, we return to the comfort and repair shops of Canyonlands Field [KCNY].

This is a day for exploring the Canyonlands with plenty of takeoffs and landings. Aside from the departure/destination, the route includes only one paved runway (which is one of the country’s most dangerous asphalt airstrips). That said, it includes 10 interesting landings – and a couple of possible stops at unprepared surfaces. Backcountry flying fun.

Documentation
The flightplan and Pilots Guide can be found here.

Aircraft
This Saturday is designed for short airstrip and rough field landings. Good choices might include the Got Friends Cub Crafters MonsterNX (freeware) or the Got Friends Zlin Aviation Norden (MSFS 2024 default). Many other aircraft may be suitable for these backcountry airstrips. As ever, please fly what you like.

Scenery
Most of the airports are in the simulator. A few either are missing or could benefit from a little development. Recommended are the following. Thanks to the talented authors.

Utah Backcountry Airstrip Pack.  hkogge (From this 2020 package, you need only Dirty Devil Airstrip [42DD] and Simplot Funky [42SF]. Do NOT activate Rustler Canyon [42RC], Below Buckacre [42BB] or Poison Spring [42PS] because they duplicate better versions.)
Poison Spring and Below Buckacre, Utah. JampotJames (This package is designed for the 2024 elevation changes.)
Caveman Ranch [UT68]. Photosbykev (No longer available. You may already have this.)
Mineral Canyon – UT75.  PieFly 

You can get the freeware package here. The package also includes freeware creations that are difficult to find. (Please check for duplicates of previously installed packages.)

Time and Weather
For takeoff on Saturday, set the simulator at 8:00am local for July 18, 2026. We typically prefer real weather.

Multiplayer Particulars
Date and time: Saturday, July 18, 2026. 1800 UTC (2000CEST, 1400EDT, 1100PDT)
Where: RTWR Multiplayer Discord Channel
Microsoft Flight Simulator Multiplayer: South-East Asia server.

If you want to help others enjoy the multiplayer experience, don't forget to enter your aircraft details on the multiplayer spreadsheet (linked here). Your courtesy will save others a lot of time and effort. Thanks!