Needles District Road

31.7 miles from US-191 via UT-211, north of Monticello, is the entrance sign welcoming you to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.

A road to the right leads to the private Needles Outpost. A number of services are available here, including fuel. A large price premium is put on all services in this remote area, so be warned.

The road passes through the entrance station here. The park entrance fee must be paid or a valid pass shown.

The Needles Visitor Center is on the right. This facility provides water, restrooms, information, displays, and backcountry planning and permits.

The road passes by a small parking area for the Roadside Ruin Trail. This short trail leads to an Ancestral Puebloan granary. The park has many such structures. It is a violation of federal law to disturb or deface archeological sites in any way and carries steep penalties.

A road heads off to the left toward the Cave Spring and Salt Creek areas. This road shortly loops back to join the main road.

A signed viewpoint for Wooden Shoe Arch is on the left. The view is a distant one, and the photo at right is the best of several bad ones we got, but it will give you an idea of what to look for.

The road to the Cave Spring and Salt Creek areas rejoins from the left.

A paved side road heads off to the left. It leads to the Elephant Hill area, passing the Squaw Flat Campground on the way.

A parking area for the Pothole Point Trail is on the left. This short trail heads over an area of slick rock marked with numerous depressions, or potholes. These collect water during the infrequent rains, and can hold water for several days.

The road passes the parking area for the Slickrock Trail.

The road ends at an impassable area of rock we call Roads End. The large expanse of rock can be walked around on freely, and several formations, like the one at right, are close by. The Confluence Overlook Trail, a long hike to a viewpoint above the merging of the Colorado and Green Rivers, starts from here.