• Spires of Cedar Mesa sandstone in Chesler Park (Needles District)

    Canyonlands

    National Park Utah

Short Hikes in the Needles

photo: Pothole Point
Pothole Point
NPS Photo by Neal Herbert
 

There are four short, self-guided trails along the scenic drive. Each trail highlights different aspects of the park's natural and cultural history. Trail guides are available at the visitor center and at the trailheads.

Cave Spring Trail
Length (round-trip): .6 mi/1 km
Start: Cave Spring parking area
Time: 45 minutes
Trail features a historic cowboy line camp and prehistoric pictographs. Two wooden ladders must be climbed.

Pothole Point Trail
Length (round-trip): .6 mi/1 km
Start: Pothole Point parking area
Time: 40 minutes
Uneven slickrock surface. Trail leads to pothole communities and views of the Needles.

Roadside Ruin Trail
Length (round-trip): .3 mi/.5 km
Start: Roadside Ruin parking area
Time: 20 minutes
Trail features an ancestral Puebloan granary.

Slickrock Trail
Length (round-trip): 2.4 mi/4 km
Start: Near Big Spring Overlook
Time: 2 hours
Uneven slickrock surface. Several viewpoints and sometimes bighorn sheep.

  • Need a Map? Need a Map?

    Maps of each district as well as the entire park are available. Read More

  • This Fragile Desert This Fragile Desert

    Watch a short video and learn to help preserve the park while you're here. Read More

Did You Know?

Detail of the Great Gallery pictograph panel

Some of the rock art in Horseshoe Canyon was painted over 3,000 years ago. Now known as "Barrier Canyon" style rock art, it was painted by nomadic groups of hunter-gatherers that roamed throughout the southwest. More...