Ill be talking more about getting to Chesler Park in an upcoming blog post! There are 13 primitive roadside campsites located along the Glenn Springs Road complex. View campground details for Site: Rock Canyon, Loop: Primitive Camping at Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico. Weird and wacky sandstone spires pierce the sky in the unique Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. We stayed at Devils Pocket and Chesler Park, but below is a quick summary of six of the backcountry campsites in the Needles. Funnily enough, youre actually walking along and toward Elephant Hill. To make a reservation, visit Recreation.gov, or call 877-444-6777, 877-833-6777 (TDD), or +1 518-885-3639 (International). Thanks so much for your words and insight! Leave camp to get back on the trail, and continue through the meadow. Be sure to keep your eyes to the right (west) for views of more spires and cliffs. This part of the trail is very narrow at points, so if youre traveling with wide bag, you might have to rearrange. 3 campsites available. Mountain View. WebAdvance reservations can be made up to 4 months out and are recommended during peak season. Wolf Dens (1 & 2) Rental Types. View Elephant Canyon Image Gallery - 31 Images. The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park looks like a beautiful wasteland. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure. From your campsite, get back on the Chesler Park Trail. Past the ladder the trail curves to the east and soon starts a very steep climb/scramble up a boulder choked ravine beneath massive sandstone walls. The divide between Squaw Canyon and Salt Creek (2 different passes) provides plenty of challenges for the adventurous backpacker. The most popular backpacking loop is the Chesler Park Loop, though we decided to add on some trails to extend our trip. You should plan to pack in ALL the water youll need for your backpacking trip or be prepared to cache some in advance. Next to Heaven Coming Soon. 
Lucky you. Squirrels Nest. Dont forget your sunhat too! (5,138ft. Wow! Fllow the signs to Elephant Hill which is located approximately 3 miles from the Squaw Flat campground area. All Rights Reserved. The angular arch, with its two narrow, elongated openings, looks more like a formation from Stonehenge then the typical Canyonlands arch, characterized by oval or half-moon shaped openings beneath a crescent shaped span. I watched a few jeeps trying to ascend the hill the road climbs right next to the parking area, and its nothing Id want to try! Permits are released online at midnight MST four months in advance. At-large sites must be at least 1 mile away from any road and 300' from any archeological site, historical site or water source. Devils Pocket: A super-private campsite near the 4WD-accessed Devils Kitchen. The trail continues to be scenic as it drops into Elephant Canyon. Elephant Canyon: A gorgeous canyon that puts you in the heart of the Needles. I recommend getting there before 9am to secure your parking place. Pine Creek Valley. The weather is pleasant (we didnt even pack our tent rain fly) and you dont have to pack the water required for a summer journey. For one, you will be carrying ALL of your water. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. Whitetail Hideaway. Our hike started and finished at Elephant Hill Trailhead via Chesler Park, Joint Trail, & Devils Pocket. This half-mile hike really sucks and is only recommended in fall or winter when the river level is low. Find available dates and book online with ReserveAmerica. There's a $30 fee per party to backcountry camp in Canyonlands National Park. The bushwhacking through the Tamarack bushes and scrambling on loose rubble is tedious and requires some good route finding as you will have to climb up and over some small cliff bands. Comments. The view from the bottom of Elephant Canyon. Whitetail Hideaway. The upper section of the drainage is hiked by thousands of people every year who head to see Druid Arch which is an incredible sight. Also on this list is Chesler Park Ive now done it three times, and Id happily go hike it again. The Maze is squished in between the Needles and the famous Island in the Sky District. (7). While there are a few tight spots on the trail, it shouldnt be an issue for most people (even one member of my group who hates tight spaces didnt have a qualm). WebElephant Canyon is a scenic canyon in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park in Utah. For our three day trip, we carried 16L which was shy of what we really should have brought. Be sure the last climber removes them. Here expansive views of the Needles, a conglomeration of sculpted rock pinnacles, knobs and fins, open to the south. The good news is, you dont have to poop in a bag here since a toilet is nearby. WebHillside Cabins (1&2) Hilltop Cabin. (The road is signed for Elephant Hill.) This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. 12 Best Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park, 5 Best Hikes in Anza Borrego Desert State Park, 10 Best (and worst) Day Hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, The Best Day Hikes in Chiricahua National Monument, How to Replace the Zipper in a Sleeping Bag, 12 Hiking Hairstyles that are Pretty & Practical, DIY Adult Travel Neck Pillow (with washable cover). Squaw Canyon: A two-site campground in Squaw Canyon that is farther from the denser Elephant Canyon and Chesler Park area. Owls Nest. Ive backpacked all over the world, and I could return to backpacking in Canyonlands again and again. Web441 Route 9W Alpine, New Jersey 07620 Reservations: (212) 651-3077 Call the Backcountry Reservation Office for more information: 435.259.4351 Click here to access the online reservation system. We continue straight ahead, following the route up Elephant Canyon. The permit system for backpacking in Canyonlands has changed this year. If you continue past this junction for 15 more miles you'll come to the town of Monticello where you'll find a few places to eat and a couple motels. Advance reservations can be made up to 4 months out and are recommended during peak season. Grasses take rootin exposed areas where wind-blown sediments form a soil layer several feet thick. The sunsets are utter fire and the rock pinacles or hoodoos twist their way into canyons that feel other-worldly. As you progress up the canyon the walls grow in stature and become more spectacular. If youre planning to visit 3+ National Parks, you should consider buying the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass ($79) which includes access to all US National Parks and Federal Lands. WebCanyonlands National Park. Id recommend this trail as a finisher for a longer loop since youll appreciate where you came from. Great camping can be found in Salt Creek above the 20 foot climb and along the Colorado River at the mouth of Salt Creek where a large sand bar is exposed when the river level is low. Watkins Glen RV Parks. Squaw Flat typically fills every day from late March through June and again from early September to mid-October. Bear right again a very short time later. to 5,394ft.) WebReservations: Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov. Note that the rangers will tell you it is impossible to reach the Colorado River from the trailhead but that is complete bologna. Elephant Canyon offers the most beautiful and secluded views in the park. This climb heads up the rock just to the right of the waterfall. The backcountry campsites here offer plenty of places to wander around and a few fun spur trails too. Find available dates and book online with ReserveAmerica. The Needles look like the abandoned factories of giants. This is a national park so camping is regulated. Itll also let you play around and plan a perfect trip for backpacking in the Needles based on your ability. The search engine dedicated to campings. Compare your camping on JetCamp.com. Distance: 4.2 miles to CP2Difficulty: ModerateBest Needles backcountry campsites: CP5, CP3, CP2Nearby Add-ons: The Joint Trail, Devils Pocket, Elephant Canyon. Facilities: Primitive restroom and possibly a picnic table or two at the trailhead Fees: $30/vehicle, valid 7 days. Its illegal to backpack in Canyonlands without bringing WAG bags. And youll be carrying all of your own water (and poop friendsthink about it). Its an awesome campsite hidden beside some huge boulders, and the only site available in this area. 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. This canyon is located in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Hummingbird Cabin. Big Spring Canyon: A less-traveled spur trail from Elephant Canyon. you don't have to rappel this 150 foot drop but instead hike on the west rim about 700 feet to a very small side drainage and drop into it. Cabins & Lodges; Camp Sites; Hotel Rooms & Dens; Follow the trail as it curves around the heads of two side canyons (to the east) and weaves through openings in the sandstone formations to a great viewpoint, a little over a mile from the trailhead. Just inform the ranger you will be in the Needles North Zone when you file for your permit. Total distance from the Chisos Basin Trailhead is 5.3 miles (8.5 km) via the Pinnacles Trail or Id rate an overnight backpacking trip in Canyonlands as a moderate difficulty experience. The best Canyonlands map you can get is probably the National Geographic map. Carry your permit with you. For the Elephant Hill Trailhead, turn right a quarter-mile from the highway and follow this narrow but paved road as it winds it way west, crossing the Big Spring Canyon drainage and ending in a gravel parking area at the base of Elephant Hill. Unfortunately, the rock is typically damp and doesn't have the best holds but it is certainly climbable. Squaw Canyon: A two-site campground in Squaw Canyon that is farther from the denser Elephant Canyon and Chesler Park area. Raccoon Ridge. Pine Creek Valley. Raccoon Ridge. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 57 min to complete. Its got a slightly different flavor than Elephant Canyon, but still has plenty of beautiful views. Thousands of Crinoids along with red and black chert. Stunted pinion pines, junipers and sage grow in the thin soils covering sections of the bench. The best way to return is to turn right and hike east for 0.5 mile up the river to the mouth of Salt Creek (Red line on map below). This canyon is pretty long and extends from Druid Arch in the southern portion of The Needles north to the Colorado River. Call the Backcountry Reservation Office for more information: 435.259.4351 Click here to access the online reservation system. Be sure to follow the cairns across the slickrock so you dont get lost. Theres also a Backcountry Reservation Office in Moab that issues permits Monday through Friday from 8am 4pm. Round Trip Trail Length: 4.1 miles out & back to Elephant Canyon, Elevation Gain: 794ft. Keep right 0.2 miles later, when the left fork enters the campground. By going straight across, you can access Chesler Park (my destination for the day), The Joint (also my intended destination), and Devils Pocket. Beyond the viewpoint the trail drops steeply down a series of ledges and sandy slopes to the floor of Elephant Canyon, 1.9 miles from the trailhead. Check the weather. Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this? Leave the trail here and turn north and follow the wide dry wash for an additional mile to the first big drop. The campsites are nestled next to the massive rock faces which offer some protection from the wind. There are tons of hiking trails in the Needles so you can customize your route to be whatever you want it to be. WebReservations: Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov. Our 16L weighed a whopping 16 kilos (35 lbs). This canyon drains northward with its headwaters located at the famous Druid Arch and flows through much of the Needles District and entering the Colorado River 3 miles north of the confluence with the Green River. Once past the drop, descend back to the bottom and meet the trail back to the cars. Reindeer Cabin. As you progress up the canyon the walls grow in stature and become more spectacular. Follow the rough, winding one-lane dirt road for 2.7 miles to the trailhead parking area. You can reserve individual campsites in Loop B of the Needles campground in spring and fall. Campsite for Senior or Access pass holders $11/night. WebSchroon Lake RV Parks. Island in the Sky is closest to Moab and is arguably the most popular district. We got our tent setup at Backcountry permits are required for all overnight trips as well as some day trips in Canyonlands. Some people may be comfortable simply jumping down but that isn't recommended. (The trail to Chesler Park continues straight ahead). This canyon drains northward with its headwaters located at the famous Druid Arch and flows through much of the Needles District and entering the Colorado River 3 miles north of the confluence with the Green River. The only options for protection are some knife blades which fit very well into the very narrow cracks. To the right (west) of the trail are impressive terracotta and white banded sandstone fins, pillars, knobs and sculpted monoliths. We got our tent setup at A moderate hike leads through high desert grasslands, canyons and maze of needles formations to the arch. WebWhen you reach the Druid Arch Trail up Elephant Canyon at the 8.8-mile mark, you find a sign marking the junction right in the dry wash. Take a left and head toward Druid Arch. For the Squaw Flats trailhead, simply drive about 1 mile to the end of the road where a large parking area is located. Put bluntly, its a bag that you poop into and carry out with you. Enjoy a wide variety of hikes in this guidebook to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks! Lost Canyon: A three-site campground in Lost Canyon with more vegetation than the other resource areas. And thats the Elephant Canyon Trail! We got checked and youll need a copy of your permit number left on the vehicle you came in on. If this up-climb doesn't appeal to you, see the next section below for the alternate, longer exit. This area is known for incredible canyon views. Youll get peek-a-boo views and 2 of the campsites are elevated off of the canyon bottom. At the next intersection, reached in 0.2 miles, continue straight ahead. Thanks for stopping by! As the trail veers left, youll climb a pass through some sandstone spires and descend about as quickly. Find available dates and book online with ReserveAmerica. You do need a permit to ride a horse or a bicycle up the road. Owls Nest. Continue straight (not left), following the sign for Chesler Park and Druid Arch. Distance: 5 miles to BS2 from Elephant Hill TH (recommended for the best scenery) or 0.7 miles to BS1 from the Squaw Flat Campground.Difficulty: Difficult to easy (depending on your approach)Best Needles backcountry campsites: BS2Nearby Add-ons: Squaw Canyon, Elephant Canyon, Druid Arch, Lost Canyon. Individual Sites. Once above the climb, continue up canyon as it gradually opens up and passes by three more short scrambles which may be damp. Its a bit longer than taking the trail here, but you skip a lot of slogging through the sand in Elephant Canyon. From US-191, turn onto Utah Hwy 211. 10 Places to (Legally) Get Free Internet while Traveling, Chesler Park Trail to the Chesler Park Overlook, back around the west side of Chesler Park. Pro Tip: The Joint Trail near Chesler Park can get a little confusing. This canyon drains northward with its headwaters located at the famous Druid Arch and flows through much of the Needles District and entering the Colorado River 3 miles north of the confluence with the Green River. Didnt get a permit? For example, the There's a $30 fee per party to backcountry camp in Canyonlands National Park. This is the official end of the Elephant Canyon Trail which only takes you to the canyon. Backpacking in the desert is no easy task, but backpacking Canyonlands is well worth the effort. The chute is easily climbed turning dry conditions. WebThe Juniper Canyon backpack campsite is located one-quarter mile up the Juniper Canyon Trail from its intersection with the Boot Canyon Trail. Upper and Middle Elephant Canyon is all easy hiking terrain in a wide canyon with beautiful scenery. Individual Sites. Next to Heaven Coming Soon. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Check at the Wilderness Desk the day before your trip starts to check whats available. Extra vehicle $11/night. The best time of year for backpacking the Needles is April, May, September, and October. Youll have to carry it with you so get ready to be stinky! Ive hiked throughout the Needles countless times. Along one part of the trail into Elephant Canyon, there were these long tunnels under narrow joints that the trail passed by. 2 sites. This is a fabulous overview. At 1 mile from the trailhead, the trail ducks down a dark, narrow passage between the spires. Save this Search. And after three attempts at trying to backpack in the Needles (thanks poor weather and COVID), I finally got the chance to go. Beyond the pouroff the trail briefly curves to the southeast and then the southwest before encountering a slickrock chute at 4.8 miles. Round Trip Trail Length: 4.1 miles out & back to Elephant Canyon Elevation Gain: 794ft. Lower Trailhead (Big Spring Canyon) - Head west on 211 and enjoy the scenery as you begin descending to Indian Creek. A Backcountry Permit is required to camp in any of these campsites. The view from the bottom of Elephant Canyon. There is a fantastic hostel in Moab called the Lazy Lizard Hostel which has beds for $11 per night and you almost always meet cool people who like to travel, hike and climb. This turn is 40 miles south of Moab and 14 miles north of Monticello; it is very well-marked, but easy to miss after driving a very long way from Moab through some bland if pretty scenery. Keep straight until the trail splits again. A reservation fee will be added to the price. Its brutal even in winter. Its the high point in the spires and cliffs on the right. Group Sites There are several possible starting points for reaching Druid Arch, but the most accessible begins on the Chesler Park Trail at the Elephant Hill Trailhead: The Chesler Park Trail climbs steeply for several hundred yards before leveling across a highslickrockterrace. Do not continue up Salt Creek. So summer is a miserable season for backpacking since youll spend most of your time being dehydrated. Backpacking in Canyonlands is not that difficult if youre used to rugged mountain adventures. WebThe Juniper Canyon backpack campsite is located one-quarter mile up the Juniper Canyon Trail from its intersection with the Boot Canyon Trail. Extra vehicle $11/night. Heres whats up: Pro Tip: Permits COMPLETELY book out MONTHS in advance for the busy season even on weekdays, so mark your calendars if you want to backpack in spring and fall. Accessible on the Lost Canyon Loop. Southeast and then the southwest before encountering a slickrock chute at 4.8 miles, were. Again and again wind-blown sediments form a soil layer several feet thick 4 months out and recommended. The campsites are elevated off of the Canyon the walls grow in the Needles and only. Points, so if youre traveling with wide bag, you might have to rearrange Needles formations the... 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