News Release

Elephant Hill 4x4 Road in the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park to be closed for Repairs

Date: March 19, 2021
Contact: Angie Richman, [phone]
Contact: Park Information Line, [phone]

MOAB, UT— The Elephant Hill four-wheel-drive (4WD) road located in the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park will be closed from April 5-15, 2021 to undergo some much-needed repairs. During this closure all day-use and overnight permits will be unavailable. Please make alternate plans.

The Elephant Hill road is one of the most technical 4WD roads in Utah. It presents drivers and mountain bikers with steep grades, loose rock, stair-step drops, tight turns, and tricky backing. Some sections of this road have eroded beyond the capabilities of even the most experienced backcountry traveler. The Canyonlands road crew will be repairing these sections so visitors can safely traverse them in the future.

Road repair activities will not alter the 4WD experience of the road and visitors should still be prepared and follow best practices before embarking on this road once it re-opens. All backcountry roads require high-clearance, low range four-wheel-drive vehicles. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt these roads. There is a high risk of vehicle damage, and towing costs usually exceed $1,500.

The Elephant Hill road is expected to re-open for day-use and overnight permits on April 16, 2021. More information on all of the backcountry four-wheel-drive road at Canyonlands and helpful tips on how to prepare to travel these roads is available at: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/needlesroads.htm

When recreating, visitors should continue to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious disease, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities to reduce preventable accidents.