Suggested Activities in the Needles

Artifacts at the Cave Spring Cowboy Camp

NPS Photo by Neal Herbert

 

1 Hour
Hike any one of the short interpretive trails. Also, drive to the Big Spring Canyon Overlook and enjoy the view.

2 Hours
Drive the three mile unpaved Elephant Hill access road for a distant view of the Needles. Hike one or two of the short interpretive trails.

Half Day
In addition to enjoying the scenic drive, hikers can explore the Slickrock Trail or walk to the edge of Chesler Park for a closer look at the Needles. Visitors with four-wheel-drive vehicles might consider driving to the Colorado River Overlook. Spend some time at the visitor center learning about the area.

Full Day
Hike one of the longer backcountry trails, or spend time exploring the four-wheel-drive roads, traveling up Horse Canyon to see the arches, or over Elephant Hill to the Confluence Overlook.

Many Days
Use the Squaw Flat Campground as a base camp and explore some of the hiking trails. Backpackers could spend a night in Chesler Park or Lost Canyon. Visitors with four-wheel-drive could move their base camp into the backcountry, stay at Devils Kitchen or Peekaboo, and explore the area around those locations.