A harsh environment, this desert ecosystem fosters hot summers, cold winters, and less than 10 inches of rainfall per year.

I learned of the climate the hard way making the unfortunate mistake of having uncovered shoulders, in effort to work on my tan on a surprisingly long hike in Island in the Sky. The generous sun gave me what my vanity probably deserved: a dozen blisters, a lobster hue, searing pain and a bit of heat stroke.

In contrast, with the high elevation, ranging from 3,700 to 7,200 feet, and the bare foliage characteristic of the park, it gets startlingly cold at night. We visited in late spring, and I expected an early start to the summer heat so I brought few blankets and my light P.J.’s. By 3 or 4 in the morning, even in our sleeping bags we were shivering. Expect extreme temperatures in the park.

Home to a variety of plants and wildlife, deserts with extreme temperatures and deprivation from water allow for only the hardiest of species. For survival, the trees and shrubs are small and disperse themselves throughout the mesa tops, giving the park a very sparse, even lifeless, feel. But there is a different kind of beauty found at the park. The layers of rock in the canyon walls are easily observed, a paradise for the geologist or just those looking for great scenery.

I did not have a lot of knowledge of geology and cannot say that rocks have ever particularly intrigued me. But with the help from the park ranger and the information obtained from the visitors center, I learned how the rocks visually tell of millions of years of rich history with many characters, far before humans ever appeared on the earth, in vast sweeping layers and vibrant shades of reds, whites and browns. The beautiful result of this dynamic history is something anyone can appreciate.

Read about my experience at Canyonlands by clicking here. Read more on what to do at Canyonlands by clicking here .