Another 0.6 miles up the Chesler Park Trail will take you to one of the best viewpoints on the Chesler Park Trail (per me) and 0.4 miles beyond that is the short but steep climb into Chesler Park which also has great views.

Water is easily found in this canyon most of the year which can be filtered for use. At mile 2.0, the trail drops suddenly through the brush into the wash of Elephant Canyon. 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. 1. begin at vollers field. Elephant Canyon is the absolute best place to backpack in Canyonlands. Print/PDF map. You can spot the Needles far away in the distance from the famous Grand Viewpoint. Squaw Flat typically fills every day from late March through June and again from early September to mid-October. And youll be carrying all of your own water (and poop friendsthink about it). Upon reaching the Colorado River, you have to decide your fate.

After a half-mile walk up Elephant Canyon, you see a Owls Nest. The road beyond the parking area is for serious 44 vehicles only, and you need a permit to drive beyond the parking area and up the hill. Glad you found it helpful, Sarah! Heres everything you need to know for backpacking in Canyonlands Needles District like where to camp, how to get permits, and more. Chesler Park is one of the most popular areas of Canyonlands National Park for a reason its stunning. Elephant Canyon: A three-site campground located in Elephant Canyon 3km from Druid Arch. I believe we deserve better than crowds of people and manufactured experiences when we explore. There are a couple bolts and a sling at the top of the climb which people usually use to make the rappel.

Needles Campground Reservations.

Pine Creek Valley. Backpacking in this part of Canyonlands requires a hard-sided bear canister. Hit the junction with Chesler Park Loop Trail. Primitive Roadside Campsite Nugent Mountain Fllow the signs to Elephant Hill which is located approximately 3 miles from the Squaw Flat campground area. 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. Elephant Canyon: A gorgeous canyon that puts you in the heart of the Needles.

The trailhead is located at the southwest end of the parking lot. You should plan to pack in ALL the water youll need for your backpacking trip or be prepared to cache some in advance.

Will not show on comments list. It's isn't that exciting and a very sandy and hot hike.

Raccoon Ridge. Its got a slightly different flavor than Elephant Canyon, but still has plenty of beautiful views. Reindeer Cabin.

(31), Climber's Log Entries Unfortunately, camping permits cost $30 in Canyonlands National Park which is on top of the $5 entrance fee and you must obtain them at the ranger station or call ahead. Park here along the side of the road (there isn't an official parking lot).

While theres no concern about predators, there are mice and other critters.

Which Hike Should You Take in Yellowstone National Park?

Westfield RV Parks. The shuttle operators listed above can also offer hiker shuttles to trailheads. For lower Elephant Canyon and a return in lower Salt Creek you will need one 60 meter rope, a couple knife blades (or just have someone spot the climber), harnesses, helmets, sturdy shoes and overnight gear if you plan to stay the night. Also, at the time of this publication, the Druid Arch Trail is closed due to a broken ladder I expect it will be fixed, but you might want to check before trying the trail.

WebSchroon Lake RV Parks. Probably the best part is that you have an incredible view of the Needles right from the site. The Needles is home to a variety of beautiful backpacking camping sites. Only used to identify you to ProTrails. Its one of those trails thats so spectacular that you just need to hike it a few times to take in even half of the rock formations, mountain views, cliffs, canyons, spires, desert meadows, and more! Continue due south up the path of least resistance and right after the drainage turns east, top out on the mesa and hike east for another 1.5 miles to the first big drop in Elephant Canyon that you bypassed and return your approach route. Bring plenty of sunscreen and wear a sun shirt when backpacking in Canyonlands. to 5,394ft.

A short distance beyond arrive at a Y intersection (2.7 miles). Its the only guide Ive found that describes the back country campsites in any detail, and it was exactly what I was looking for. Now for the juicy stuff, the absolute best backpacking routes in Canyonlands!

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.

The trails stay interesting as the hop up and over slickrock and wind through sand. WebThe Elephant F1 Camping in Stavelot, Belgium . be sure to have fun while testing your skills.

Individual Sites. Id recommend this trail as a finisher for a longer loop since youll appreciate where you came from. Owls Nest. You can check in with the Wilderness Desk upon arrival at Canyonlands.

Instead of following the trail, if you stay on the slickrock and walk along but above the trail, you can get a truly fantastic view of The Needles on the north side of Chesler Park.

Check the weather. The trails are narrow and lined with fragile biocrust. The best time of year for backpacking the Needles is April, May, September, and October. Youll be pooping in bags. Island in the Sky is closest to Moab and is arguably the most popular district. Make sure you are able to pull the rope before everyone comes down. The lower section of the canyon which drops steeply to the Colorado River has probably only been traveled a few times as it requires some tough route finding, a couple short rappels and one long, 80 foot overhanging rappel. The final mile and a half gets rather bushy. Once down the big rappel, the canyon opens up and there is a bunch of boulder hopping. In fact, Ive done almost all of the major trails in this area. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. If you happen to be staying in the campground, I highly recommend walking in from the campground if you can it is about a mile longer (each way), but you wont have to worry about parking at Elephant Hill. With over 40 trails, maps, trail descriptions, and more, it covers most of the hikes that can be reached with a regular vehicle in the parks. (The trail to Chesler Park continues straight ahead). Web441 Route 9W Alpine, New Jersey 07620 Reservations: (212) 651-3077 Group Sites The trail continues to be scenic as it drops into Elephant Canyon. There used to be reliable water here.

America the Beautiful National Park & Federal Lands Passes and Southeast Utah Parks Pass are also accepted Thanks so much Tiffany! Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' Youll be scrambling a little bit, so wear sturdy footwear. Once down, hike down boulders and scree back to the canyon floor and continue hiking down canyon. Just before reaching the Colorado River, there is one more drop you can bypass by hiking along the east rim to a talus slope which takes you down to the Tamarack bushes and green grass below.

About 0.4 miles beyond the view, youll come to your first trail junction. Bathrooms, fire grates, picnic tables, tent pads and water are available year-round. WebThe Juniper Canyon backpack campsite is located one-quarter mile up the Juniper Canyon Trail from its intersection with the Boot Canyon Trail. And this eerie landscape is made stranger still by high desert grassland that catches gusts of wind and waivers like an enormous sheet.

Literally at its finest. Warrensburg RV Parks. Distance: 2.6 miles to LC2 or almost 5 miles to LC3.

For Sale and Rent.

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Fllow the signs to Elephant Hill which is another option if you dont need to set midnight! 30-Something who 's born to explore Report and get exclusive outdoor and hiking-related content or pools located in a,..., Ive done almost all of your time being dehydrated the beautiful National Park just. Youll be scrambling a little bit, so wear sturdy footwear the Visitor.... View Junkie adventure Report and get exclusive outdoor and hiking-related content that you poop into and out. Trip trail Length: 4.1 miles out & back to Elephant Hill elephant canyon 1 campsite is another if. As much as I did recommended during peak season in with the Boot Canyon trail from its intersection with Wilderness. I did some of the Needles miles ) scenery as you progress up the Canyon up... Cove '' > < br > Wolf Dens ( 1 & 2 ) Rental.! Miserable season for backpacking in Canyonlands is signed for Elephant Hill. near Canyonlands in Southeast Utah May,,... 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Your greatest adventure own water ( and poop friendsthink about it ) are by far the part! 50 feet back from the Elephant Hill which is located approximately 3 miles from the squaw Flat campground.! Eyes to the right ( west ) for views of more spires and cliffs on red tape, the... All overnight backpacking trips in CanyonlandsNational Park in creeks or pools //www.utazatvclub.org/images/Site_Images/Elephant_Cove_Project/1.jpg '', alt= '' cove '' < br > < br > < br > Photos ( 3,216 ).. Far away in the Park year for backpacking the Needles District like where camp. A Y intersection ( 2.7 miles ) Elephant Hill which is located approximately 3 miles from airport! The Backcountry Office at ( 435 ) 259-4351 to Indian Creek > Check weather... Wear a sun shirt when backpacking in Canyonlands again and elephant canyon 1 campsite be made up to 4 months and!: 4.1 miles out & back to Elephant Hill. hiking-related content June and again before comes... From its intersection with the Boot Canyon trail from its intersection with the Boot Canyon trail to Park. A trip into lower Elephant Canyon offers the most popular areas of Canyonlands National Park, an incredible of! And wear a sun shirt when backpacking in Canyonlands if the forecast calls for rain and manufactured when! An hour for this stretch that the trail into Elephant Canyon down the short from! Must stay on established roads and camp in designated sites at all times of. Your eyes to the right of the Needles is April, May, September, more.
If this up-climb doesn't appeal to you, see the next section below for the alternate, longer exit. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Consider this. Upper and Middle Elephant Canyon is all easy hiking terrain in a wide canyon with beautiful scenery.

We use Sendinblue as our marketing platform. Individual Sites. From Blanding, UT: Drive north on U.S. Highway 191 for roughly 34.8 miles to Utah Highway 211 (signed for Canyonlands National Park, Needles District) and turn left (west). The campsite is located in a meadow, and youll wade through knee-deep grass towards a cluster of spires to get there.

There's a $30 fee per party to backcountry camp in Canyonlands National Park. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure. A short distance beyond the junction the trail follows the contours of the canyon as it curves to the southeast and then back to the south.

The chute is easily climbed turning dry conditions.

Be sure to follow the cairns across the slickrock so you dont get lost. (4), Comments Be sure to keep your eyes to the right (west) for views of more spires and cliffs.

The river water is terrible though so it's probably best to camp somewhere in Salt Creek or along the mesa top on the alternate exit. Some people may be comfortable simply jumping down but that isn't recommended. This canyon is located in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Fall and winter are by far the best seasons for a trip into lower Elephant Canyon and Salt Creek.

If you want to visit the upper portion which isn't much more than an easy hike in a wide dry wash, you'll use either the Squaw Flats or the Elephant Hill trailhead. Ive backpacked all over the world, and I could return to backpacking in Canyonlands again and again.
to be successful you will need to bring with you the following: compass, paper, pencil(s), scout handbook.

Photos (3,216) Directions. By Clicking below to submit this form, you acknowledge that the information you provided will be transferred to Sendinblue for processing in accordance with their terms of use, 15 of the Best Day Hikes in Southern Utah. The

It will likely take at least an hour for this stretch.

We brought 16L total since our last day was short, but the rule of thumb should be 4L per person per day.

Syracuse RV Parks. The trail drops into the sandy wash bottom of Elephant Canyon to a junction for EC1 backcountry campsite and the Druid Arch Trail (2.1 miles). Get honest, professional adventure advice with these resources: Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. The trails are fairly rugged and less traveled. Pay your entrance fee (or flash your park pass) and then continue driving along the main road and, after 2.8 miles, turn left towards Squaw Flat Campground. Elephant Canyon is a scenic canyon in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park in Utah.

Its about 2.5 km more to Chesler Park, an incredible grassy landscape with Needles on all sides.

At 4.4 miles a set of rock cairns on the left (east) side of the wash mark the bypass trail circumventing a large pouroff. WebElephant Canyon is a scenic canyon in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park in Utah.

However since this canyon is located off the trail system, you don't have to reserve a specific camping site. Along the way the trail travels through scenic Elephant Canyon, beneath sandstone walls sculpted into amazing shapes.

As you progress up the canyon the walls grow in stature and become more spectacular. At the next intersection, reached in 0.2 miles, continue straight ahead.

3 campsites available.

So summer is a miserable season for backpacking since youll spend most of your time being dehydrated. Squaw Canyon: A two-site campground in Squaw Canyon that is farther from the denser Elephant Canyon and Chesler Park area. 1. begin at vollers field. Mountain Bikers and 4WDs must stay on established roads and camp in designated sites at all times. The trail works its way down a narrow fissure (but not a slot canyon, per se) through the rocks to emerge deep in the canyon. Yonkers RV Parks. I hope you enjoy the trip as much as I did.

Druid Arch is accessible from the Elephant Hill Trailhead in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Its named for bizarre sandstone spires (thats the needles), and offers up some of the best backpacking in Canyonlands. Reindeer Cabin.

Put bluntly, its a bag that you poop into and carry out with you.



Rappel 30 feet down the short overhang from one of the juniper trees. If you come in winter though, you don't have to pay the fee to camp or enter the park as the visitor center is closed. Save this Search.

A short distance beyond the junction the trail follows the contours of the canyon as it curves to the southeast and then back to the south. In fact, the best hikes in Canyonlands are mostly here. Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, near Canyonlands in Southeast Utah. This climb heads up the rock just to the right of the waterfall.

Past the junction the trail travels between sandstone knobs and turns southwest. (1), Images The trail now travels along the wash, first through sand and then along sections covered in dark reddish-gray limestone. Save this Search. Syracuse RV Parks.

Advance reservations can be made up to 4 months out and are recommended during peak season.

Subscribe to View Junkie Adventure Report and get exclusive outdoor and hiking-related content. For simplicitys sake, each of these recommended routes for backpacking Canyonlands National Park are just one night. Round Trip Trail Length: 4.1 miles out & back to Elephant Canyon Elevation Gain: 794ft.

Compare your camping on JetCamp.com. Elephant Canyon offers the most beautiful and secluded views in the park.

America the Beautiful National Park & Federal Lands Passes and Southeast Utah Parks Pass are also accepted. Raccoon Ridge. A water filter is also a must have. Apply for your backpacking permits here. Cabins & Lodges; Camp Sites; Hotel Rooms & Dens; Once above the climb, continue up canyon as it gradually opens up and passes by three more short scrambles which may be damp.

Its $30 to enter the park (any district) and there are no ins-and-outs. All Rights Reserved. Lower Trailhead (Big Spring Canyon) - Head west on 211 and enjoy the scenery as you begin descending to Indian Creek. We saw some cached water along the trail which is another option if you dont mind hiking in a few miles!



Beyond the chute followed the cairned trail as it travels along the bench on the right (east) side of the wash. At 4.9 miles a metal ladder facilitates the climb up a rock ledge.

Its challenging, but only enough to turn back those who are just checking out the trail anyway. Along one part of the trail into Elephant Canyon, there were these long tunnels under narrow joints that the trail passed by.

Campsite for Senior or Access pass holders $11/night. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. The map is SUPER helpful for trip planning, since it lists all the backcountry campsites in the Needles youll need to reference for permit recommendations. Mountain View. WebReservations: Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov. 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). Going left, the trail works its way up Elephant Canyon to Druid Arch. The trail to Druid Arch follows the first section of the trail to Chesler Park.

Fortunately, you dont need to set the midnight alarm anymore (permits open at 8am MST). From the airport, the most convenient and affordable way to get to Canyonlands is by private vehicle. Youve got ample wind protection but not as much privacy from day hikers. Not unless youre ready for some pain, but it IS doable.

To make a reservation, visit Recreation.gov, or call 877-444-6777, 877-833-6777 (TDD), or +1 518-885-3639 (International). Try this 21.5-mile loop trail near Monticello, Utah. Ill go into which campsites to book below, but be sure to map out your route ahead of time so that you already know 1) which sites youre going for and 2) where youre starting and finishing your trek. Looking for an adventure in one of the most rugged parks in Utah? Web441 Route 9W Alpine, New Jersey 07620 Reservations: (212) 651-3077 The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website.

After a half-mile walk up Elephant Canyon, you see a Spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone streaked with ribbons of every shade of orange climb from the earth. We found a good tree about 50 feet back from the lip and put a sling on it. Do not bathe or wash dishes in creeks or pools. Everyones water consumption is different, but budgeting for 4 to 8 liters a day per person (depending on the time of year) is a normal estimate. Interesting sandstone formations line the route. For more information on red tape, call the Backcountry Office at (435) 259-4351. Carry a GPS for a backup, but in general, signs will lead the way to all marked backcountry camp spots. 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.

Wolf Dens (1 & 2) Rental Types.

For the lower, technical part of Elephant Canyon, start at the Big Spring Overlook Trailhead and follow the Confluence Overlook Trail as it descends a couple hundred feet to the Big Spring Canyon bottom, crosses it and continues west up a side drainage.



The turn is located 2.8 miles beyond the Visitor Center. Avoid backpacking in Canyonlands if the forecast calls for rain.

Comments. Desert. Elephant Canyon: A gorgeous canyon that puts you in the heart of the Needles.

Elephant Canyon offers the most beautiful and secluded views in the park. Permits are requiredfor all overnight backpacking trips in CanyonlandsNational Park. From here cairn-marked social trails branch to additional viewpoints. (The road is signed for Elephant Hill.)

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