Allow space for wildlife. The Roadside Ruin Trail is only 0.3 miles long and can be done in 10-15 minutes. Voyages Alertes Connexion. -Soil Sleuth: Protecting Utah's Living Landscapes. After your time at Devils Garden, head into town and get some breakfast. "200 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta" - Published June 2022. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. However, thanks to a helpful (and recent) update from the park service, due to ongoing draughts, there is no longer reliable water in the canyon. The road then quickly descend s to the railroad tracks Im sure it will be awesome! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Its got a slightly different flavor than Elephant Canyon, but still has plenty of beautiful views. Simply head back the way you came towards Moab, but instead of turning right to go back down to the main road, turn left to take the road to Canyonlands National Park. Inside your glamping tent includes a comfy king-size bed, outlets and a mini wood burning stove. Needles Overlook, Moab Utah Canyonlands - AllTrips In or near Moab,especially if you've planned time for Arches National Park (Read: "The Best Time to Visit Moab"). There are tours of varying lengths depending on how much time you want to spend exploring the Navajo art, artifacts, Western memorabilia and Navajo tacos of Gouldings Lodge. A paved trail takes you right to the entrance to Arches, where you can peddle up the long windy road to the park center (around 30 miles total). The first section of the trail is a rapid descent for 3.8 Much of the river remains wild today. I really loved this area of the park- there are 3 main arches here (North Window, South Window and Turret Arch) that you can see while walking along a main trail. Is the Needles in Canyonlands National Park? Many get a very early start to capture one of the most-photographed sunrises around: Mesa Arch. Its also easy to access nearby Arches National Park and the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park on two wheels. She'd rather be dirty than done up. Location. On our trip one year to Utah in late March (a perfect time of the year to visit), we took one day and drove south from Moab to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. The tour continues near the south end of Shash Jaa, with an easy stop at Sand Island petroglyphs and a more challenging visit to the River House Ruin, which showcases a confluence of ancient culture with Mormon pioneer culture. This arch is even featured on the Utah license plates! At the gap, you will find a gate. Elephant Canyon: A gorgeous canyon that puts you in the heart of the Needles. Youll get peek-a-boo views and 2 of the campsites are elevated off of the canyon bottom. There are Lonely Planets USAs National Parks is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Apart from a stop at the Newspaper Rock Archaeological Site outside the park, we spent the day hiking the Slickrock Trail, and doing three other short hikes. Dont forget to bring a headlamp so you can see in the dark while hiking. Area Attractions: Gemini Bridges, a pair of natural Don't let having a 9-5 job stop you- learn how to maximize your vacation days to still be able to check things off your bucketlist! formations to where it crosses Kane Creek (may be Heres what youll need to pack before you head out backpacking in Canyonlands Needles District: Psst. Admire rock art from a distance and never touch it. Begin your journey with a pickup in downtown Moab, which will take you to the remote areas of the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Needles to Moab Canyonlands Tour Photo Gallery - Rim Tours Distance: 3.4 miles to EC3Difficulty: EasyBest Needles backcountry campsites: EC 2 probably the best campsite in the entire Needles DistrictNearby Add-ons: Druid Arch, Big Spring Canyon, Chesler Park, Squaw Canyon. The food menu isextensive and is pretty good for bar food. We almost ran out of gas driving up to Canyonlands National Park and had to backtrack when we were half-way up to come back down and get gas. Thank you! Two nights rest and a lot of rain in the town of Moab and we are off again. This state park has a beautiful sweeping view of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park from above. Want to take the family mountain biking on the White Rim Trail? (LogOut/ Previous Group Tips for Prepared Travel Best Day Hikes of The Needles, Canyonlands National Park Cross the large flat slickrock right fork. right fork that goes between Monitor and Merrimac Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Here's how we recommend getting to Canyonlands. The backcountry sites are secluded, giving you the sense that youre out there without tons of mileage. The trail Canyonlands by 44: Short Tour of Island in the Sky. Open in Google Maps. Your best introduction to Bears Ears might just be a stop at Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum, whose collection highlights artifacts and lifestyle of Ancestral Puebloan culture. There used to be reliable water here. If you're planning on backpacking in the Needles, you'll likely start at the Elephant Hill Trailhead. Devils Garden is a super scenic area with a dirt trail winding through huge boulders and several arch formations. Dead Horse Point State Park is gorgeous and is a great first stop on your trip to Moab! Is there something else besides Needles. towards the towers. Moab to Canyonlands Park Tours. So glad you found my blog helpful. Look for pictures of deer, buffalo and pronghorn antelope along with symbols and human figures. Avoid backpacking in Canyonlands if the forecast calls for rain. Winters are super sweet because its dead quiet in Canyonlands National Park. Ive also heard great things about Moab Diner. Many of the hikes in The Maze and Needlesdistricts of Canyonlands are only accessible with a high-clearance vehicle. Many small businesses in Utah rely on tourism for survival. If youre planning on backpacking in the Needles, youll likely start at the Elephant Hill Trailhead. The Needles - Canyonlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Head back into Arches National Park (with your cooler!) Instead we followed the rim of Lockhart east easily on the same bench. First, head to the main attraction of the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands NP the Mesa Arch. Ride Although we are following the Colorado, we only stood on its banks with our toes in its water once. Soil Sleuth: Protecting Utah's Living Landscapes, Hiking Southern Utah with Younger Children: Tips for Family-Friendly Adventure, Mule Canyon's House on Fire and Cave Tower, The Petroglyphs of Comb Ridge and Sand Island Petroglyph Site, Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. In preparation for your trip to Utah, heres what you need to know about Utah's liquor laws, especially how and where to buy a drink in the city or in the rural parts of the state. In other words, it's worth taking the plus sign of this itinerary seriously. farther along the route such as the entrance to Kane Youll find a fire ring, a picnic table and toilets. much of the route. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Commercial van services operate between Grand Junction and Moab. Its busy in spring and fall (really the best time to visit) so plan ahead. For more information visit the Canyonlands National Park website. Their vans have a stove, microwave, fridge and sink, and can sleep 3 people inside of it. It. Located 1.5 hours by car from downtown Moab, it's a shlep to get to the Needles. HOWEVER- if you want a full-strength beer, you can order the canned IPA or the Wheat Ale from Moab Brewery. head toward the towers. We travel in heavy duty yet comfortable 4X4 vehicles. is a grove of shady cottonwoods -- and pouring from I think Ill follow your itinerary to the letter! To experience the landscape from a different perspective,Redtail Air offers aerial "flightseeing" tours of the national parks outside Moab. and you can drive up to the parking lot and take the paved rim trail to walk around and check out the view from various lookout points. It is 1.2 miles from the to Highway 191. The trail starts off taking you to Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch before you wind your way around to Landscape Arch, which is the longest arch in the park (and the 5th longest in the world!) Traveling south from the Moab area, start with the side trip to theNeedles Overlook for a bird's-eye view of the rugged and expansive southeastern district of Canyonlands National Park. Where to Stay have a good view of the Seven Mile Canyon area, Of course, you can make your trip as easy or as difficult as youd like. Please leave your bike at the trailhead. How to Visit Canyonlands If You Have Limited Time. If you're seeking a little more luxury and comfort, many travelers choose to stay in Moab. local riders know that it is but one of many great rides To get to the Needles park entrance takes about an hour and a half from Moab, UT by car. We started at Kane Creek, where there was a trail from the Trailhead to a bridge over the creek a few hundred meters up from the Colorado River (the Colorado river backs up into Kane Creek making it awkward and muddy to cross). Lastly- head to the Windows section of the park. In 2014 we paddled down it. Dont forget your sunhat too! The good news is there's plenty to see and do for free. Area Attractions: The Slickrock Trail possesses a terrific combination of Book a Jeep tour in advance to get the best access to the park. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Much of it is only accessible by foot or serious 4-wheel, high clearance vehicles. But you can oggle at Indian Creek (a famous Moab climbing area) and stop at Newspaper Rock along the way. The Needles has 50 miles of challenging backcountry roads that access campsites, hiking trails, and archeological sites. The regional Canyonlands Field airport offers a few regional flights, but most visitors rent cars after flying into the airports in Grand Junction, Colorado (100 minutes away), or Salt Lake City, Utah (four hours away). Needles Overlook (Moab) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go With over 60 miles of hiking trails covering all levels of difficulty, youll easily find plenty to do in a day in Needles District Canyonlands. The area is far less busy than the Island in the Sky part of Canyonlands, yet it's equally beautiful. Magic. the Gemini Bridges Trail, continue to parallel the Colorado River. The direct route under the chockstone was fun! This time we are walking in and out of canyons, over ridges and along ledges. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Bring plenty of sunscreen and wear a sun shirt when backpacking in Canyonlands. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 133 from U.S. 191, between Moab and Monticello. After your time at Devil's Garden, head into town and get some breakfast. Its $30 to enter the park (any district) and there are no ins-and-outs. Youll need to carry all of your own water there are no water sources in the park. If youre planning on backpacking in the Canyonlands Needles District, youll definitely want to pick up a National Geographic Paper Map of the area. Utah is an outdoor adventure mecca known for pushing people's limits. There is little shade in this area, Dont go on a holiday weekend. Exciting whitewater combined with the indescribable scenery of Canyonlands National Park make this the ideal river trip. The trailhead is before the Upper Delicate Arch and Lower Delicate Arch (these two are just lookout points from further away). This time we are walking in and out of canyons, over ridges and along ledges. switchbacks to Kane Creek. This Hermit alternate taking you above the Colorado River is scenic and varied. It is about a 25-30 mile drive across the mesa and passing through Bur of Land Mgmt property to a scenic overlook. "Needles" describes the rock formations here. With Arches and Canyonlands National Parks as well as Sand Flats Recreation Area in its vicinity, Moab, Utah is a wonderland for adventure enthusiasts. up animals. A two-hour drive lands you in remove Monument Valley, whose towering monoliths and stark desert backdropyoull probably recognize from countless Hollywood Westerns. Answer 1 of 25: We are planning 2 days in Moab (end August) and as we'll be heading up from Monument Valley, I thought it would be best to stop at Needles en route to Moab.