Perfect ONE DAY in the NEEDLES DISTRICT, Canyonlands (8 Epic Activities)

If you only have one day to spend in Canyonlands National Park, the Needles District is a must-visit destination for adventure seekers. With stunning rock formations, unique geological features, and challenging trails, this area offers an unforgettable outdoor experience that you can pack into a single day.

In this post, I will guide you through 8 epic activities that you can enjoy during your one day in the Needles District, Canyonlands National Park. From scenic hikes to incredible views, you will discover the best of the park’s natural wonders and make the most of your time in this awe-inspiring corner of Utah. So, let’s get started!

Canyonlands National Park offers visitors breathtaking views of mesas, buttes, spires, and fins carved out by Colorado and Green Rivers. Hiking, stargazing, camping, and rock climbing are just a few of the activities, that you can enjoy at the park.

Established in 1964, Canyonlands National Park preserves 527 square feet of land in southern Utah.

There are four districts within Canyonlands National Park. And, even though, they are all in Canyonlands National Park, they all look completely different from each other as if they are separate national parks:

• Island in the Sky

Island in the Sky District is the most visited section of Canyonlands National Park. It is conveniently located no more than a 40-minute drive from Moab, UT making it the most easily accessible district in Canyonlands. It is well known for its Mesa Arch, an incredible rock formation. In addition, it has a picturesque scenic drive with many viewpoints and overlooks, as well as short and easy hikes along the way, making it a great destination for the entire family.

• The Needles

The Needles District is located about a 1-hour and 20-minute drive from Moab making it a more remote destination than Island in the Sky. It gets its name from striped spires that look like they are jutting from the ground. If you are an avid hiker, then The Needles is definitely for you. You will find plenty of long and strenuous day hikes, as well as many multi-day backpacking trips.

• The Maze

The Maze is the most remote and off-the-beaten-path district of Canyonlands National Park. It is only accessible by a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle. It takes 2.5 hours from Green River, Utah to reach the ranger station. Then, from the ranger station, the canyons of The Maze are another 3 to 6 hours. The Maze is perfect if you are into multi-day backpacking trips. Rarely do visitors spend less than three days in the Maze, and the area can easily absorb a week-long trip.

• Colorado and Green Rivers (The Rivers District)

The Rivers District is a very popular spot for all kinds of water sports. Both Colorado and Green Rivers are calm upstream of The Confluence, and it is a perfect section for kayaking and canoeing. The rivers merge at The Confluence and spill down Cataract Canyon creating a world-class stretch of whitewater. Launch locations on the Green River include Green River State Park, Ruby Ranch, and Mineral Bottom. On the Colorado River, boaters typically use the Potash or Moab ramps. There is no vehicle access to the rivers near the Confluence or in Cataract Canyon.

• A fifth region, Horseshoe Canyon, was added in 1971.

Horseshoe Canyon is home to the Great Gallery, a historic panel filled with petroglyphs. Most visitors access Horseshoe Canyon from the west. Two-wheel-drive vehicles can usually travel the 30-mile graded dirt road from UT 24 (near Goblin Valley State Park), or the 47-mile dirt road traveling south from Green River. Driving time is roughly 2.5 hours from Moab or 1.5 hours from Green River.

These districts may look like they are close to each other if you are looking at their location on the map. However, there are no roads that directly connect one district to the next, and traveling between them takes from 2-6 hours.

Following is the map of one day in the Needles District, Canyonlands, and the 8 best places to explore for the adventurer in you!

• Newspaper Rock
• Roadside Ruin
• Cave Spring Trail
• Wooden Shoe Overlook
• Pothole Point Trail
• Slickrock Trail
• Big Spring Canyon Overlook
• Chesler Park Loop Trail

The Needles District gets its name from the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that look like they rise from the ground. Cedar Mesa Sandstone is the remains of coastal sand dunes deposited about 270 to 300 million years ago.

The red and white banded appearance of the spires is a result of periodic floods which carried iron-rich sediments down from the Uncompahgre Mountains during its formation.

Here are 8 awesome activities at the Needles District, Canyonlands National Park: 

Newspaper Rock is not located in the Needles District, Canyonlands National Park. However, it is on the way to The Needles from Moab. Specifically, it is 55 miles from Moab.

Newspaper Rock is 200 square foot rock wall with hundreds of petroglyphs dating back 2,000 years left by people from the Archaic, Anasazi, Fremont, Navajo, Anglo, and Pueblo cultures.

In Navajo, the rock is called “Tse’ Hone'” which translates to a rock that tells a story.

If you look at the petroglyphs a little closer, you will notice that many of the petroglyphs appear to be depicting polydactyly, the condition of having an extra toe or finger.

In other Puebloan sites, burial remains with bifid metatarsals have been found near petroglyphs depicting polydactyly, suggesting that the pictures factually represent a real physical abnormality.

One team of anthropologists excavated 96 skeletons from the nearby site of Pueblo Bonito and found that 3.1% of the skeletons had an extra toe on the right foot. This is a significantly higher rate of polydactyly than is seen in current Native American populations.

There was evidence of those with six toes being buried with items associated with higher social status, like an ornate bracelet, and turquoise.

Polydactyl is also considered a moderately heritable condition, with 30-35% of those displaying the defect also having a close relative with polydactyl. This means that it may be possible to use polydactyl to reconstruct ancient Puebloan lineages.

Source: Wikipedia

The first stop inside the Needles District is Roadside Ruins.

You will need to take a short trail (0.3 miles roundtrip loop) to reach the site of one of the best-preserved ancestral granaries left by the Puebloan People.

The next stop on this one day in The Needles at Canyonlands itinerary is Cave Spring Trail.

Cave Spring Trail is a short and easy hike that will take you to the old cowboy camp at Cave Spring, as well as petroglyphs left by the Native Americans.

• Distance – 0.6 miles
• Time – 45 min
• Difficulty – Two ladders to climb

From the late 1,800s, cowboys used to set up cattle operations in this area and camped in these small caves until 1975 when the cattle ranching ended in the park. Before cowboys, Native Americans used this site as well. You can see markings on the walls of handprints and figures.

Wooden Shoe Arch Overlook is another great stop. You need no more than 15-20 minutes to catch an awesome view of an arch that looks like a wooden shoe from the distance.

The next stop is Pothole Point Trail. It is an easy (0.6 miles round trip) loop hike that is going to take you no more than 40 minutes to accomplish.

This loop hike is named for its depressions in the rocks called potholes. The rainwater collects in these depressions creating a perfect habitat for snails and shrimp.

Slickrock Trail is a great trail that forms a loop and along this loop are three short detours to amazing overlooks. You will get a great view down the canyons and see the views of Island in the Sky and the Needles. However, what I really enjoyed are the amazing rock formations on this trail.

• Distance – 2.4 miles roundtrip
• Time – 1.5-2 hours
• Elevation – 137 feet
• Difficulty – Easy

Big Spring Canyon Overlook is located at the end of the road that runs through The Needles in Canyonlands.

At the overlook, you will get to enjoy awesome views of the sandstone spires and the sweeping views of Big Spring Canyon.

Chesler Park Loop Trail is one of my favorite hikes in the Needles District, Canyonlands National Park. It is the best hike to see the multi-hued sandstone spires, fins, spires, and knobs, eroded by wind and water into fantastical shapes.

It is a longer hike, so I divided it into 3 sections and let you decide whether you want to do the entire loop or just a section of it.

Distance:

• 5.4 miles (round trip) to Chesler Park Overlook
• 10.0 miles (round trip) to Joint Trail
• 10.9 miles (loop) to Complete Loop

Elevation:

• 5,120-ft. at Trailhead
• 5,646-ft. at Chesler Park Overlook
• 5,706-ft. at Joint Trail
• 5,647-ft. at Complete Loop

Elevation Gain:

• 526-ft. to Chesler Park Overlook
• 588-ft. to Joint Trail
• 1,188-ft. to Complete Loop

If you decide to do the entire loop then you need to reserve about 4 to 5 hours to do this hike. The elevation change is 1,188 feet which makes it a pretty strenuous hike.

When you reach Chesler Park Viewpoint, you will be rewarded with incredible views of The Needles, La Sal Mountains, and Chesler Park.

After reaching Chesler Park Viewpoint, you will continue on Joint Trail that forms a loop. It is the best part of this trail! You will get to the sandstone spires up close, and you will hike through the cave and a slot canyon.

If you have more time in The Needles, then there are a couple more hikes that are pretty spectacular as well and you should add them to your itinerary:

The first hike is Druid Arch Trail. It starts at Elephant Hill Trailhead and takes you to some of the most spectacular views of The Needles and the famous Druid Arch.

• Distance – 10.4 miles
• Elevation – 1,614 feet
• Time – 5-7 hours
• Difficulty – Strenuous

Another hike worth adding to your itinerary is Confluence Overlook Trail. This trail gets its name from the final overlook: the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers. The viewpoint overlooks the merging of the two rivers.

• Distance – 10 miles
• Elevation – 1,371 feet
• Time – 5-7 hours
• Difficulty – strenuous
• Trailhead – Big Spring Canyon

Make sure you are prepared for a visit to Canyonlands National Park. Here is what to bring with you:

1. Appropriate footwear – Trail shoes are great; hiking boots are even better since they offer more support. You’ll want sturdy, comfortable hiking boots with solid traction. Don’t forget to break in your shoes before bringing them to Canyonlands National Park. Also, do not forget merino wool socks. They will keep your feet dry, and protect you from blisters.

2. Plenty of water – without enough water, your body’s muscles and organs simply cannot perform as well. Consuming too little water will not only make you thirsty but susceptible to hypothermia and altitude sickness. I have been using Yeti Rumbler 26 oz insulated, stainless steel bottle, and I am highly recommending it!

3. Food – food will help keep up energy and morale. I like RXBAR. It is a high-protein bar, gluten-free, and it is super yummy! Make sure to get a variety pack to keep it interesting.

4. Rain gear and extra clothing – the weatherman is not always right. Be prepared for unannounced rain or a cold spell. Dress in layers. It will allow you to adjust to changing weather and activity levels. Two rules: avoid cotton (it keeps moisture close to your skin) and always carry a hat. I have had my North Face Women’s Osito Triclimate Jacket for years, and I love it. Also, I am highly recommending these Patagonia moisture-wicking hiking shirts and Patagonia warm fleece pullovers.

5. First aid kit – prepackaged first-aid kits for hikers are available at any outfitter.

6. Knife – a knife or even better, a multi-purpose tool is always good to have. These enable you to cut strips of cloth into bandages, remove splinters, etc.

7. Protect Yourself from the Sun – if you are visiting Canyonlands National Park in the summer, keep in mind that all the areas are unshaded, so it’s important to protect yourself from the sun. Sunscreen is essential, however, a lightweight long sleeve shirt is a must! My favorite are sun shirts by Columbia. Also, it is a good idea to wear lightweight long pants to protect yourself from the sun and bugs!

8. Wear sunglasses with UV protection. Sunglasses are an important part of your sun-protective wardrobe. When purchasing sunglasses, always look for lenses that offer UV protection.

9. A wide-brimmed hat is a simple and effective way to cover up your face and neck. When selecting a hat, choose one that has a wide brim, which will protect your ears, as well as your head and neck. Avoid baseball hats or straw hats with holes, as these are not as effective in protecting you outdoors.

10. Apply an effective insect repellent – insect repellent is an important step against mosquitoes and ticks that can spread diseases like West Nile and Lyme.  When selecting an effective insect repellent, do not look at the brand names, but rather, look at the concentration of the active ingredients. Concentrations of DEET at 25 to 30% are the best to keep you protected.

11. Daypack/backpack – you need something you can carry comfortably and has features designed to keep you hiking smartly. Don’t forget the rain cover; some packs come with one built-in. I have Osprey Daylite Daypack and it is perfect for day hiking.

12. Camera!!! – Canyonlands National Park is a photographer’s dream! If you are like me, you will be taking hundreds, if not thousands, of photos. The scenery is just breathtaking and constantly changing. I have a Nikon COOLPIX P1000 Super Telephoto Camera that I bought a couple of years ago and I really like it. Make sure to have a spare battery for your camera. I think there is nothing more frustrating than knowing that you still have half a day ahead of you, yet your camera’s battery is gone.

13. Tripod – if you are taking photos during the golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) when the light is softer, a tripod is essential for long exposure shots. Also, I like a tripod since it gives me more stability when taking close-ups of wildlife. I have Manfrotto Befree Live Carbon Fiber Tripod with Fluid Head. It is only 3.0 pounds and it fits nicely in my backpack.

14. Binoculars! – if your camera does not have a good zoom, then binoculars are a must.

15. Trash Bag – this will make sure that the trail will stay beautiful for generations to come. A zip-lock bag is a great option as well for keeping the trash you pick up along the trail separate from the rest of your gear.