Canyonlands

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Canyonlands National Park

Needles District Trails and Roads

Overlook/ High-clearance,
Paved road Rapids Ranger station Developed Campground Self-guiding trail
4-wheel-drive road
Locked gate At-large
Backpacking Zone Picnic area Backcountry Vehicle Camp T Backcountry Trailhead Parking
Unpaved Name of
2-wheel-drive road Hiking Trail Name Potable Water Designated Backpacking Site
Backpacking Zone

NOTE: White shading within Canyonlands National Park indicates areas with designated site camping only.

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River Overlook 7. Y
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The Slide
MAZE Needles North

Big Spring Canyon

Confluence Overlook Indian Creek
Overlook (BLM)
Confluence
4.0
1.0 T Slickrock
Visitor Needles Outpost
Center (Privately owned)
2.6

No Trail
YO N

Across River Pothole

Point 211
Wooden Shoe
CA N

New Bates
KE Wilson Arch Overlook Roadside Ruin
L OW E R RE D L A
Needles Visitor Center to 191
2.0
NE

6.4
Cave Spring
2.
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4.0 1.0 34mi

2

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3. 53km
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1.6

Brown Betty
2.0

Elephant Permit required

Rapids
2

1.5 Hill for vehicle entry

Squaw Flat
1.

1.0 Devils
CANYON

0.6 Kitchen
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CA

0.6
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0.6 Paul
1.0

1.5
0.2

Bunyans Tower
NG
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CP1 SQ1 Peekaboo

0.8

1.2 BS2 LC1 Potty Ruin 9 miles from 211

1.7
RI
0.4

2.4 to park boundary

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SP

EC2 SQ2 LC2

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EC3 0.9
0.5

CP5
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Horsehoof
2.0

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4.0
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Druid Salt/Horse
4.7 Arch
N
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CANYON

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NY
CA

Butler/West Side Canyons

Castle
Arch 0.4
Fortress 0.5 Road ends
1.

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VI
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15 miles from 211

SC4
to park boundary
5.

Angel Arch
0

Bobbys Hole
Frequently impassable for Upper Jump
4-wheel-drive vehicles
N

Davis/Lavender
O
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SC3
CA
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5.
0

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Permit required
for vehicle entry
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B E E F B A S I N

SC2 Cleft
Arch 3.0
SC1
Kirk Cabin

Cathedral Butte to 211

18mi
29km
3.5

Printed by
Canyonlands Natural History Association
06/11, 25m
T Cathedral Butte
Hiking Trails Over 60 miles of interconnecting trails present hikers with spectacular canyon scenery.
Some of the more common routes are described below. Trails traverse a mixture of slick-
rock benches and sandy washes, and some may require negotiating steep, rocky passes
with drop-offs, narrow areas and ladders. Water sources are unreliable; carry all that you
will need. Trails are marked with cairns (small rock piles) and signs at intersections.

Elephant Hill Trailhead Squaw Flat Loop A Trailhead

SHORT HIKES
Short on time? Four short, self-
guiding interpretive trails highlight
various aspects of the area's cultural
and natural history. Trail guides are
available in the visitor center and at
trailheads for a nominal fee.
Roadside Ruin
.3 mi/.5 km, 20 minutes
Easy trail. Leads to an ancestral
Puebloan granary.
Cave Spring
.6 mi/1 km, 45 minutes the upper end is steep with 1 ladder and some
Two ladders. Leads to historic cowboy
camp and prehistoric pictographs.
Pothole Point
. 6 mi/1 km, 45 minutes
Uneven surface. Leads to pothole
communities, views of the Needles.
Slickrock Trail
2.4 mi/4 km, 2 hours
Uneven surface. Several viewpoints
and sometimes bighorn sheep.
Chesler Park Viewpoint
6mi/10km, 3-4 hrs round trip
This popular trail leads across to a pass overlook-
ing a scenic expanse of desert grasses and shrubs
surrounded by sandstone spires.
Chesler Park Loop / Joint Trail
11 mi/18 km, 5-7 hrs round trip
This loop travels beyond the viewpoint described
above, providing great views of the Needles
formations. The southern portion, called the
Joint Trail, winds through deep, narrow fractures
in the rock. A short segment follows the four-
wheel-drive road.
Druid Arch
11 mi/18 km, 5-7 hrs round trip
This trail offers one of the most spectacular
views in the Needles. It follows the first part of
the Chesler Park trail, then branches off to travel
along the bottom of Elephant Canyon through
deep sand and loose rock. The last .25 mile at
scrambling.
Big Spring Canyon Trailhead
Confluence Overlook
10 mi/16.5 km, 5-6 hrs round trip
Unlike other Needles hikes, this trail traverses
dry, open country along the northern edge of
the geologic faults that shaped the Needles. Trail
ends at a cliff overlooking the junction of the
Green and Colorado rivers 1,000 feet below.
Big Spring Canyon to Squaw Canyon
7.5 mi/12 km, 3-4 hrs round trip
A great introduction to the landscape of the Needles,
connecting two canyons for a loop across varied
terrain. The route between the canyons climbs steep
grades that are dangerous when wet and may make
people with a fear of heights uncomfortable.
Big Spring Canyon to Elephant Canyon
10.8 mi/17 km, 4-6 hrs round trip
This loop features extended hiking on slickrock
benches and mesa tops overlooking canyons.
Excellent views of sheer cliff walls and other rock
formations. Two ladders must be climbed in the pass
between the canyons.
Squaw Canyon to Lost Canyon
8.7 mi/14 km, 4-6 hrs round trip
Another wonderful loop hike with some difficult
sections climbing between the two canyons.
Riparian areas in both canyons attract birds
and other wildlife. Route in Lost Canyon passes
through dense vegetation and may be very wet.
One ladder must be climbed.
Peekaboo
10 mi/16.5 km, 5-6 hrs round trip
Trail crosses both Squaw and Lost canyons on
its way to Salt Creek Canyon, passing along high
slickrock benches with spectacular views. Steep
slopes and nearby cliff edges make this a challeng-
ing route. Two ladders must be climbed. Prehis-
toric rock art panel may be seen at the end of the
trail near Peekaboo camp.

Four-Wheel-Drive Roads Over 50 miles of challenging backcountry roads access campsites, trailheads and park
attractions. All vehicles and bikes must remain on designated roads. All of these roads
require high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicles. Drive carefully: the risk of vehicle
damage is great and towing expenses typically exceed $1,000.

Elephant Hill Horse Canyon / Peekaboo

One of the most technical four-wheel-drive roads
in Utah, Elephant Hill presents drivers with steep
grades, loose rock, stair-step drops, tight turns
and backing. Over the hill, equally challenging
roads lead to various campsites and trailheads, as
well as to BLM lands south of the park. Challeng-
ing mountain biking.
Colorado Overlook
Moderate road, good for mountain bikes. There
Backcountry Reservations are large rocks and stair-step drops in the last
Canyonlands National Park 1.5 miles which visitors may avoid by parking on
Reservation Office the road (leave room for others!) and walking to
2282 S. West Resource Blvd. the overlook. Outstanding views of the Colorado
Moab, UT 84532
River Canyon. Unprotected overlook; use cau-
Phone: (435)259-4351
Fax: (435)259-4285 tion. No vehicle camping.
Permit required for day and overnight use. Roads
travel along canyon bottoms where deep sand,
deep water and quicksand are common. Too
sandy for mountain bikes. At Peekaboo, vehicle
campsites are available and prehistoric rock art
may be seen. Horse Canyon road leads to several
arches and Tower Ruin.
Lavender Canyon
Permit required for day use. Road follows a
canyon bottom where deep sand, deep water and
quicksand are common. Too sandy for mountain
bikes. There are two major creek crossings with
steep banks. Arches and ancestral Puebloan gra-
naries may be viewed from the road. No vehicle
camping inside the park.

Protect Your Park Protect Yourself

Pets are not allowed on hiking trails or on
four-wheel-drive roads, even in a vehicle.
Do not enter, alter, damage or deface archeo-
logical sites. Do not collect artifacts.
Vehicles and bikes must stay on roads.
ATVs and OHVs are not permitted.
For More Information
Canyonlands National Park
Protect cryptobiotic soil crusts by staying on
2282 S. West Resource Blvd. trails and roads.
Moab, UT 84532 Permits are required for all overnight
(435)719-2313 backcountry trips.
www.nps.gov/cany
Drink at least one gallon of water each day.
Always carry a topo map, adequate clothing,
and a flashlight.
Remain in one place if you become lost or
separated from a group.
Never cross a canyon that is flooding.
During lightning storms, avoid lone trees, cliff
edges and high ridges. Return to your vehicle
if possible.
Be careful near cliff edges, especially when
rock surfaces are wet or icy.

E X P E R I E N C E YO U R A M E R I C A