Canyonlands is a wilderness of canyons, buttes, and spires carved by the
Colorado River and Green River. The park is divided into four distinct
districts; no roads join them together. The districts share similar desert
ecosystems, but each one provides unique opportunities for adventure and
discovery.

Canyonlands is a wilderness of canyons, buttes, and spires carved by the Colorado River and Green River. The park is divided into four distinct districts; no roads join them together. The districts share similar desert ecosystems, but each one provides unique opportunities for adventure and discovery.

## Overview

The Needles is a remote district located within the southern portion of
Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. The Needles District is 1.25
hours driving time from Monticello, Utah, and 1.5 hours from Moab, Utah, and
sits at an elevation of approximately 4,900 feet (1494 m).

**The Needles Campground offers limited services and is best suited to tents
and small, self-contained campers and RVs.** If you are looking for group
campsites, visit the Needles District Group Campground page.

  * You may book individual campsites in Loop B up to six months in advance mid-March through mid-November. 
  * Loop A is available first come, first served only. 

Please, also read “Facilities” below and the “Need to Know” tab for important
information.

## Recreation

The Needles District's extensive trail system provides many opportunities for
long day hikes and overnight backpacking trips. Foot trails and four-wheel-
drive roads lead to such features as Confluence Overlook, Druid Arch, the
Joint Trail and Chesler Park.

## Facilities

The Needles is a remote district with limited services and no cell coverage.
The Needles Campground and group sites are best suited to tents and small,
self-contained campers and RVs. A seasonal campground host (spring and fall)
is located in Loop A of the campground.

  * **Individual Campsites:** Drinking water and flush toilets are available in the campground. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided at each site. There are no RV hook-ups. The campground does not have electricity, showers or a dump station. **Maximum combined vehicle and trailer length is 28 feet (8.5 m)**.
  * If you are looking for **group campsites** , visit the Needles District Group Campground page.

## Natural Features

The campground contains stands of Utah juniper and pinyon pine. Flowering
prickly pear cacti, yucca and other desert wildflowers dot the landscape in
the spring, adding to the vivid colors of the surrounding red rock desert. The
Needles District forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands National Park and
was named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the
area. The park is within an arid, high desert environment with hot summers and
cold winters.

## Nearby Attractions

Southeastern Utah offers breathtaking scenery, hiking, road and mountain
biking opportunities, rafting and scenic driving routes. Arches and Mesa Verde
National Parks, the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park,
Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments and Dead Horse Point and Edge
of the Cedars State Parks are all within three hours drive of the Needles
Campground. Moab, Utah, (1.5 hours away) offers numerous restaurants, shops
and museums.

## Charges & Cancellations

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>The Needles is a remote district located within the southern portion of Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. The Needles District is 1.25 hours driving time from Monticello, Utah, and 1.5 hours from Moab, Utah, and sits at an elevation of approximately 4,900 feet (1494 m). </p>
<p><strong>The Needles Campground offers limited services and is best suited to tents and small, self-contained campers and RVs.</strong> If you are looking for group campsites, visit the <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10060971" rel="nofollow">Needles District Group Campground</a> page.</p>
<ul>
<li>You may book individual campsites in Loop B up to six months in advance mid-March through mid-November. </li>
<li>Loop A is available first come, first served only. </li>
</ul>
<p>Please, also read “Facilities” below and the “Need to Know” tab for important information. </p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
The Needles District's extensive trail system provides many opportunities for long day hikes and overnight backpacking trips. Foot trails and four-wheel-drive roads lead to such features as Confluence Overlook, Druid Arch, the Joint Trail and Chesler Park.<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>The Needles is a remote district with limited services and no cell coverage.  The Needles Campground and group sites are best suited to tents and small, self-contained campers and RVs. A seasonal campground host (spring and fall) is located in Loop A of the campground.  </p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Individual Campsites: </strong> Drinking water and flush toilets are available in the campground. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided at each site. There are no RV hook-ups. The campground does not have electricity, showers or a dump station.  <strong>Maximum combined vehicle and trailer length is 28 feet (8.5 m)</strong>.</li>
<li>If you are looking for <strong>group campsites</strong>, visit the <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10060971" rel="nofollow">Needles District Group Campground</a>  page.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>The campground contains stands of Utah juniper and pinyon pine. Flowering prickly pear cacti, yucca and other desert wildflowers dot the landscape in the spring, adding to the vivid colors of the surrounding red rock desert. The Needles District forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands National Park and was named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area. The park is within an arid, high desert environment with hot summers and cold winters.</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
Southeastern Utah offers breathtaking scenery, hiking, road and mountain biking opportunities, rafting and scenic driving routes. Arches and Mesa Verde National Parks, the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments and Dead Horse Point and Edge of the Cedars State Parks are all within three hours drive of the Needles Campground. Moab, Utah, (1.5 hours away) offers numerous restaurants, shops and museums.<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>

Individual Camp Sites:  
1-10 people, $20  
  
For groups of 11 or more, please book a Group Campsite.

Canyonlands National Park Needles District

View of Canyonlands National Park Needles District

Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground

Comfort Station

Paul Bunyans Potty is a large pothole arch in The Needles district

Sandstone Spires in Chesler Park, Canyonlands National Park

Red and White Sandstone Spires in Chesler Park, Canyonlands National Park

A Sandstone Spire in the Chesler Park Area of Canyonlands Needles District

## Overview

The Needles is a remote district located within the southern portion of
Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. The Needles District is 1.25
hours driving time from Monticello, Utah, and 1.5 hours from Moab, Utah, and
sits at an elevation of approximately 4,900 feet. **Group sites have limited
services and are best suited to tents and small, self-contained campers and
RVs.** If you are looking for individual campsites, visit the Canyonlands
Needles District Campground page.

  * You may book group campsites up to six months in advance throughout the peak season – March 15 – November 15. 
  * Please, also read “**Facilities** ” below and the “**Need to Know** ” tab for important information. 

## Recreation

The Needles District's extensive Hiking trail system provides many
opportunities for both short and long day hikes as well as overnight
backpacking trips. Foot trails and four-wheel-drive/mountain biking roads lead
to such features as Confluence Overlook, Druid Arch, the Joint Trail, and
Chesler Park.

## Facilities

The Needles is a remote district with limited services and no cell coverage.
**Group sites** offer groups of 11 or more an opportunity to stay in a remote
setting in a unique national park. RVs and trailers over 25 feet (7.5 m) will
have difficulty accessing these sites. The Dutch Oven site has access to
potable water, flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. The other two
group sites, Wooden Shoe and Split Top have access to potable water, non-flush
tiolets, picnic tables, and fire rings. You may reserve individual campsites
at the Canyonlands Needles District Campground page.

## Natural Features

The Needles District group sites lie within the slick rock and sand that give
this region its character. The dominant forest type consist of stands of Utah
Juniper and Pinyon Pine. Flowering prickly pear cacti, yucca, and other desert
wildflowers dot the landscape in the spring, adding to the vivid colors of the
surrounding red rock desert. The Needles District forms the southeast corner
of Canyonlands National Park and was named for the colorful spires of Cedar
Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area. The park is within an arid, high desert
environment with hot summers and cold winters.

## Nearby Attractions

Southeastern Utah offers breathtaking scenery, hiking, road and mountain
biking opportunities, rafting and scenic driving routes. Arches and Mesa Verde
National Parks, the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park,
Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments and Dead Horse Point and Edge
of the Cedars State Parks are all within three hours drive of the Needles
Campground. Moab, Utah, (1.5 hours away) offers numerous restaurants, shops,
and museums.

## Charges & Cancellations

**Changes or Cancellations once the reservation has started:** Once a
reservation date has begun, customers cannot change a reservation using the
online system or through the Call Center (see below for early departures). If
the location is staffed, on-site personnel may or may not be able to assist
with changes or cancellations (check with local staff).

**Camping no-show:** Customers who do not arrive at the campground or group
facility by check-out time (10:00 a.m.) the day after the scheduled arrival
date or does not cancel the reservation by check out time on the day after the
scheduled arrival date will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit the
first night use fee. If the no-show service fee is greater than the
reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service
fees. In addition, the campsite will become available to other customers at
this point. Make sure to plan accordingly to avoid any unexpected changes to
your travel plans.

**Early Departures:** An early departure occurs when a customer spends at
least one night of their reservation at the facility but leaves the facility
prior to the reservation departure date. If a customer departs prior to the
scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Early
departures are treated as a cancellation of the remaining days. There will be
no refunds for days used prior to the departure date, regardless of whether
the customer was present for all those days, i.e., the customer arrived a day
late.

Campers must notify the facility that they are leaving early, as required by
local policy. If a customer requests a refund for an early departure after the
facility check-out time has passed, the customer will not be refunded for that
night and is eligible for a refund on any additional nights that will not be
used. Field location procedures may vary depending on agency policy.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>The Needles is a remote district located within the southern portion of Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. The Needles District is 1.25 hours driving time from Monticello, Utah, and 1.5 hours from Moab, Utah, and sits at an elevation of approximately 4,900 feet.  <strong>Group sites have limited services and are best suited to tents and small, self-contained campers and RVs. </strong>If you are looking for individual campsites, visit the <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251535" rel="nofollow">Canyonlands Needles District Campground</a>  page.</p>
<ul>
<li>You may book group campsites up to six months in advance throughout the peak season – March 15 – November 15. </li>
<li>Please, also read “<strong>Facilities</strong>” below and the “<strong>Need to Know</strong>” tab for important information. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>The Needles District's extensive <a href="https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hiking-at-canyonlands.htm" rel="nofollow">Hiking trail system</a>  provides many opportunities for both short and long day hikes as well as overnight <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/backpacking.htm" rel="nofollow">backpacking</a>  trips. Foot trails and four-wheel-drive/mountain <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/biking.htm" rel="nofollow">biking</a>  roads lead to such features as Confluence Overlook, Druid Arch, the Joint Trail, and Chesler Park.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>The Needles is a remote district with limited services and no cell coverage. <strong>Group sites</strong> offer groups of 11 or more an opportunity to stay in a remote setting in a unique national park. RVs and trailers over 25 feet (7.5 m) will have difficulty accessing these sites. The Dutch Oven site has access to potable water, flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. The other two group sites, Wooden Shoe and Split Top have access to potable water, non-flush tiolets, picnic tables, and fire rings. You may reserve individual campsites at the <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251535" rel="nofollow">Canyonlands Needles District Campground</a> page.</p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>The Needles District group sites lie within the slick rock and sand that give this region its character. The dominant forest type consist of stands of Utah Juniper and Pinyon Pine. Flowering prickly pear cacti, yucca, and other desert wildflowers dot the landscape in the spring, adding to the vivid colors of the surrounding red rock desert. The Needles District forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands National Park and was named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area. The park is within an arid, high desert environment with hot summers and cold winters.</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>Southeastern Utah offers breathtaking scenery, hiking, road and mountain biking opportunities, rafting and scenic driving routes. Arches and Mesa Verde National Parks, the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments and Dead Horse Point and Edge of the Cedars State Parks are all within three hours drive of the Needles Campground. Moab, Utah, (1.5 hours away) offers numerous restaurants, shops, and museums.</p>
<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>
<p><strong>Changes or Cancellations once the reservation has started:</strong> Once a reservation date has begun, customers cannot change a reservation using the online system or through the Call Center (see below for early departures). If the location is staffed, on-site personnel may or may not be able to assist with changes or cancellations (check with local staff). </p>
<p><strong>Camping no-show:</strong> Customers who do not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time (10:00 a.m.) the day after the scheduled arrival date or does not cancel the reservation by check out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date will be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night use fee. If the no-show service fee is greater than the reservation amount, the customer will not be charged any additional service fees. In addition, the campsite will become available to other customers at this point. Make sure to plan accordingly to avoid any unexpected changes to your travel plans.  </p>
<p><strong>Early Departures: </strong>An early departure occurs when a customer spends at least one night of their reservation at the facility but leaves the facility prior to the reservation departure date. If a customer departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Early departures are treated as a cancellation of the remaining days.  There will be no refunds for days used prior to the departure date, regardless of whether the customer was present for all those days, i.e., the customer arrived a day late.</p>
<p>Campers must notify the facility that they are leaving early, as required by local policy. If a customer requests a refund for an early departure after the facility check-out time has passed, the customer will not be refunded for that night and is eligible for a refund on any additional nights that will not be used. Field location procedures may vary depending on agency policy.</p>

**Dutch Oven Group Campsite**

11-20 people, $90

21-30 people, $135

31-40 people, $180

41-50 people, $225

**Wooden Shoe Group Campsite**

11-15 people, $70

16-20 people, $90

21-25 people, $115

**Split Top Group Campsite**

11-15 people, $70

View of rock formations under from Pothole Point in the Needles District

View of rock formations under storm clouds from Pothole Point in the Needles District

Open tent space and vault toilet in the background.

Tent pad with view of slickrock.

Natural tent pad.

Drive way leading into the group site.

Picnic table next to slickrock and a tree.

Driveway leading to the split top group site.

Bathrooms near the Dutch Oven Group Site.

Looking back out the driveway leading to the wooden shoe group site.

Boundary sign for the split top group site.

Sandy camping space with picnic tables and slickrock.

Spigot with potable water within the wooden shoe group site.

Grill and rocks.

Inside the overhang at split top with picnic tables and a fire ring.

Tent pad and surrounding slickrock.

Split top group site sign.

Tent placement space in the sand near a tree and slickrock.

Sandy camping area next to picnic table.

Opening through the trees and slickrock to the split top group site.

Sand, slickrock, picnic tables, and a tent pad.

Vault toilets and garbage can next to the driveway within the wooden shoe group site.

Vista of the geological formations in the Needles District.

Tent pad and surrounding sand and slickrock.

Parking lot.

Wooden shoe group site sign.

Tent pad and view of trees.

Tent space next to slickrock.

Tent space within the trees.

View from looking out through the overhang at split top from within.

Picnic tables and tent pads.

Pothole Point is an easy self-guiding trail in the Needles District

A double rainbow with pools of water in the foreground as seen from Pothole Point

The entrance sign for Wooden Shoe Group Campsite, one of Canyonlands' 3 group campsites

Prehistoric rock markings on red sandstone

Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites

Canyonlands National Park

The Needles, pinnacles of Cedar Mesa Sandstone, are visible in many parts of the Needles District, including this view in Chesler Park.

The Needles in Chesler Park

Mesa Arch, at Island in the Sky, is a great spot for photographers.

Mesa Arch

The White Rim Road at Island in the Sky is a popular road for mountain bikers.

White Rim Road

The Maze is the most remote district of the park. Visiting requires four-wheel drive, self-reliance, and extra time.

The Maze

Pothole Point Trail

Pothole Point

Boating the Colorado and Green rivers is a popular activity at Canyonlands (permit required).

Boating on the Colorado River

The terrain in this WSA consists of sloping slickrock that drains
northeastward and low benches.The unit is very scenic. Red and buff spires,
knobs, and buttes contrast with green vegetationand blue sky. The highly
eroded sandstone features, including numerous pinnacles and the VanhemertArch,
provide for geologic study and viewing. The entire WSA is rated outstanding
for scenic quality

<p>The terrain in this WSA consists of sloping slickrock that drains northeastward and low benches.The unit is very scenic. Red and buff spires, knobs, and buttes contrast with green vegetationand blue sky. The highly eroded sandstone features, including numerous pinnacles and the VanhemertArch, provide for geologic study and viewing. The entire WSA is rated outstanding for scenic quality</p>

Bird's eye view of the park

South Needles WSA

The tributaries of three canyons are in the WSA. The canyons are from a few
feet to a half-mile wide and are characterized by a wide range of colors,
sheer walls, and many large overhangs. The canyons converge in the northern
portion of the WSA to form Horseshoe Canyon. Weathered sandstone benches,
covered in places by grassy parks, separate the canyons. Buttes, domes and
sand dunes are also found in the WSA.

The tributaries of three canyons are in the WSA. The canyons are from a few feet to a half-mile wide and are characterized by a wide range of colors, sheer walls, and many large overhangs. The canyons converge in the northern portion of the WSA to form Horseshoe Canyon. Weathered sandstone benches, covered in places by grassy parks, separate the canyons. Buttes, domes and sand dunes are also found in the WSA.

Horseshoe Canyon (South)

French Springs-Happy Canyon Wilderness Study Area is in eastern Wayne and
Garfield Counties. The unit is 25,000 acres and consists of high, narrow
ridges and a mesa cut by narrow, sheer-walled, meandering canyons 600 to 1,000
feet deep. Other land forms include buttes, spires, arroyos, rockfalls,
alluvial fans, terraces, and sand dunes. Opportunities for solitude and
primitive/unconfined recreation are outstanding. Photography, day hiking, and
scenic sightseeing are popular within the WSA. The longest hiking route is 11
miles, from Gordon Flats to Happy Canyon via French Spring Canyon.

French Springs-Happy Canyon Wilderness Study Area is in eastern Wayne and Garfield Counties. The unit is 25,000 acres and consists of high, narrow ridges and a mesa cut by narrow, sheer-walled, meandering canyons 600 to 1,000 feet deep. Other land forms include buttes, spires, arroyos, rockfalls, alluvial fans, terraces, and sand dunes. Opportunities for solitude and primitive/unconfined recreation are outstanding. Photography, day hiking, and scenic sightseeing are popular within the WSA. The longest hiking route is 11 miles, from Gordon Flats to Happy Canyon via French Spring Canyon.

Canyonlands National Park

Directions

Reviews

Campgrounds

Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground

Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites

Nearby Parks

South Needles WSA

Horseshoe Canyon (South)

French Spring-Happy Canyon