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CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK — Maybe it was simply the adrenaline of ascending Elephant Hill in a Jeep Wrangler that enticed me, but now I realize there was something more to the Needles District.
Initially, the sense of adventure and chance to be outdoors drew me on the trip with my family, but after spending a few days in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, I realized the jeeping and hiking adventures were only a piece of what the park has to offer.
The Needles District is a breathtaking destination.
The beauty of the Needles District is in its simplicity. It contains vast valleys of mint-colored sagebrush stretch for miles, and narrow red-rock canyons end in spires and obelisks that jut with penetrating fierceness into a cloudless sky.
The Needles District forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands National Park. Roughly 40 miles south of Moab off US Highway 191, a west turn onto Highway 211 leads directly into the district.
From there, it’s a matter of wit that determines which direction to go; there’s an entrance from the back of the park through Beef Basin, or there’s Elephant Hill.
- If you're planning to spend the night in the park, reservations are required. Reservations fill quickly, so be sure to plan your trip months in advance if possible.
- To make your reservation, go to www.nps.gov/cany/inde x.htm; stop at the Ranger's station to pick up your permit before entering the park.
- All of the campsites offer beautiful landscape, but I would highly recommend planning your trip early to book the Devil's Kitchen campsite.
- There are hikes all over the park ranging from short less-than-a-mile walks to intensive 15-mile hikes. Visit Canyonland's website at www.nps.gov/cany/inde x.htm for detailed descriptions and directions.
- Moab is the nearest place to rent a jeep. There are several rental companies in Moab. Jeep rentals start at $150/day.
Elephant Hill is one of the main attractions of the Needles District with its unforgiving pathway winding up a steep mountainside of jagged sandstone. As we crept skyward along the rocky pathway, I could hear the wheels grinding below us, fighting to grip the slippery rock.
We reached the top in a matter of minutes, with only a few scrapes to the protective panel lining the Jeep’s underbelly.
At one point as we descended down the other side of the hill, our four-door Jeep couldn’t make a tight turn, so, as instructed by a rusty sign-post along the road, we pulled forward and proceeded down the steep road in reverse.
Reaching the base of the hill, we were greeted by a smooth and sandy road that continued for miles ahead of us. The road was lined by bitter-smelling sagebrush dotting the desert sand in random patterns before running into the dauntingly high canyon walls.
We spent the next few hours exploring our way through the Needles District. The road constantly changed from a sandy luge to rocky hills requiring low gear and careful maneuvering.
Our campsite was the furthest away from Elephant Hill. As we pulled in to what would be our home for the next two nights, the first thing I noticed was the view.
Part of the magic of being in the Needles District is the feeling of solitude as you look into the night sky, and the only sound is the wind whistling through the cactus and sage brush.
Along with Jeeping, you can also explore the Needles District on foot. Our first stop was Chesler Park, where we crawled through a deep slot canyon that led to a spectacular panoramic view.
Our next destination was Devil’s Kitchen Campsite. The campsite is nestled underneath a massive overhanging rock formation. Behind the campground, multiple slot-canyons provide a natural playground for the campsite’s residents.
From Devil’s Kitchen, we followed the Elephant Hill Loop to the Confluence Overlook Trailhead, where there is a dramatic view of the Colorado and Green Rivers converging into one.
Sarah Romero is a journalism and photography student at Utah State University. Contact her at sarahromero524@gmail.com.
