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Canyons in Mesa County, Colorado

4 canyons in Mesa County. Every location page has sunrise and sunset azimuths, a monthly golden hour table, Milky Way windows and nearby spots.

Top canyons

Rattlesnake CanyonCanyon
Rattlesnake CanyonMesa County
Mee CanyonCanyon
Mee CanyonMesa County
Canyon Rim Trail (Colorado National Monument)Canyon
Canyon Rim Trail (Colorado National Monument)Mesa County
Canyon
De Beque CanyonMesa County

Map

How to photograph canyons

Canyons need light from above: rims glow at sunrise and sunset, while deep or narrow sections are brightest near midday when reflected light bounces off the walls.

  • From the rim, sunrise and sunset side-light reveals layers; a telephoto picks out buttes and shadows.
  • In narrow canyons, reflected light creates orange and purple glows; avoid including bright sky in the frame.
  • Check flash flood forecasts before entering slot or narrow canyons — rain miles away can flood them.
  • Dust and sand are hard on gear; change lenses in a bag or with your back to the wind.
  • A long lens on a tripod handles the low light inside canyons better than raising ISO.

Season: Spring and autumn are comfortable; summer monsoon storms bring dramatic skies but higher flood risk in the Southwest.