Monticello, Utah

After leaving Moab, turn off Highway 191 on to 211. The drive will wind over the mesa tops and down into red rock canyon country. Enjoy the changing seasons whether the red cliffs are covered in snow or spring desert flowers are blooming.Watch for cattle as this is open range country. Also watch ...

The Needles District of Canyonlands receives 6 times as many backpackers as its more popular neighbor across the Colorado River, Island in the Sky. The Needles has an excellent trail network that is incredibly diverse, featuring amazing rock features as well as grassy meadows and savannahs.  Whil...

To get to Wilson Arch, drive south of Moab on US-191 S for about 25 miles. The arch is right off US-191S and there is parking on either side of the highway. Keep an eye out after you pass the LaSal Junction - the arch is visible from the road.From the parking lot there is a a very short (~0.5 mil...

Wilson Arch is a common stop for people visiting the local national parks and Moab, but with some general climbing knowledge and gear you can make this into a longer outing.  If coming from Moab, the arch is obvious on your left about 25 miles south.  There is ample parking on both sides of the r...

Getting there:From Moab, follow Highway 191 south for about 23 miles until you get to Looking Glass Road/Co. Rd. 131. Take a right and follow the road for about 2 miles and then turn left into the parking lot.It is only about 0.10 miles from the parking lot to the arch itself, but there is a ~150...

Hamburger Rock is a small BLM campground with 10 sites based around an interesting rock outcropping. Each site can accommodate around 6 campers, 2 tents, and 2 cars. The bathrooms here are very basic, open-top pits, and no other services are offered. Camping fees are only $6/night.

A large part of the grandeur of Canyonlands National Park is the vast barren vista at Island in the Sky, but no visit to Canyonlands would be complete without the intimate and immersive desert experience that the Needles District offers. Drive two hours southwest of Moab away from cell phone rece...

Squaw Flat campground is an easily-accessed area full of picturesque campsites in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. It is located in the Needles District, which is well known for its colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that cover the region. Campsite reservations must be made in advance at rec...

The first draw of this adventure is the roadtrip to the trailhead itself. Set out pre-dawn from Moab, UT and head 77 miles south and west to the Needles District Visitors Centre on Utah 211. En route you'll pass Newspaper Rock, a treasured collection of pictographs well worth the detour if you're...

Important Note: Druid Arch is located on the eastern side of Canyonlands National Park in the Needles District. It is not located at the main entrance to the park. Stop by the Needles Visitor Center and pick up a map. Your starting point, Elephant Hill Trailhead is then located 6.3 miles west of ...

This world class hiking route circumnavigates Chesler Park by way of open meadows, slots, subterranean alcoves, stairways and slick rock.Begin at the Elephant Hill Trailhead and head south following signage for the Joint Trail / Chesler Park along the way. Once you arrive at Chesler Park turn lef...

About 1.5 hours from Moab on BLM land, Needles Overlook sits on a peninsula of rock 1600 ft. above southern Canyonlands NP. The views from here are just as commanding as Island in the Sky in Canyonlands, but with a lot fewer people due to its isolated location; there's a good chance you'll have ...

This overlook is at the end of the scenic drive in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Once you step away from your vehicle the world sort of drops out below you into Big Spring Canyon. Just a short walk from the car takes you to some fantastic formations. Visitors can begin the hi...

From the parking area at La Sal Pass, follow a well defined but unmapped trail though meadow, brief forest, and then switchbacks up the prominent ridge just east of the summit ridge of Mt Tuk. Once on the ridge bear west (climbers left) along the ridge as it narrows. Depending on conditions the r...

One of the many wonderful hidden gems in Utah (so just tell you close friends about it).Kane Gulch is located four miles south of the Highway 95/Highway 261 junction. At the Kane Gulch ranger station you will be able to use restrooms, overnight park your vehicle, pick up permits, and purchase are...

Natural Bridges National Monument is one of Utah's many geologic wonders. While this monument is primarily known for its bridges, it also has an impressive collection of cliff dwellings known as Horse Collar Ruin. The dwellings have passed the test of time after being abandoned by native people m...