Canyonlands - The Needles District: 4-day Backpacking Adventure
Overview
If you like trekking, it is natural to direct your steps this way. Among infinite options, I chose a trip to the Needles in Canyonlands National Park. This is a richly varied area in the southeastern corner of the national park. The name comes from the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area. At a distance the red and white Needles look like a giant porcupine with stone quills rising skyward, but there are also other strange-looking, sculpted stone formations.
This 4-day, 3-night trek through the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park was a perfect blend of challenging hiking and surreal landscapes. I camped at EC2, CP5 and DP1, hit major landmarks like Druid Arch, Chesler Park, The Joint trail and wrapped it all up with a hike through Devil’s Kitchen.
Day 1 - Into the Needles | Camp at EC2
I started my journey at the Elephant Hill TH, one of the more rugged and remote access points in southern Utah. The hike in took me through classic Needles terrain: sandstone fins, slickrock and dry washes.
Got a late start to avoid the mid-day sun, by late evening I reached EC2, a backcountry site perched above the dry wash bottom in Elephant Canyon. I setup camp and settled in. The silence out there hits different.
“The evening glow on the red rock felt like the desert was putting on a private light show.”
Day 2 - Druid Arch & Chesler Park | Camp at CP5
Woke up before sunrise and made the out-and-back hike to Druid Arch, one of the most stunning natural arches in the park. The trail climbs through Elephant Canyon with a pretty steep incline at the end - totally worth the effort.
After returning to EC2, I packed up and continued on to CP5 in Chesler Park, one of the most iconic parts of the Needles. The sandstone spires here feel like walking through a maze built by giants.
Highlights:
Druid Arch at sunrise
Wild rock formations in Chesler Park
Sunset views from CP5
Day 3 - Exploring the Joint | Camp at DP1
I spent the morning exploring The Joint Trail, a narrow slot-like crack that winds through the rock. It’s otherworldly and easily one of the most fun trails of the trip.
After exploring, I returned to CP5, packed up, and hiked toward the final campsite at DP1 (Devil’s Pocket). The trail between Chesler Park and Devil’s Pocket was scenic and quiet - a nice change of pace.
Highlights:
Slot-style hiking in The Joint
More solitude as I moved deeper into the park
Evening at DP1 with wide views of the open desert
Day 4 - Devil’s Pocket Loop & Return to Elephant Hill TH
On the last day, I hiked the Devil’s Pocket Loop, completing the adventure with sweeping views, towering formations, and that deep satisfaction that only comes after days on foot in the backcountry.
I returned to the trailhead sun-soaked and smiling, already dreaming of the next trip.
Highlights:
Devil’s Lane unique terrain
Feeling small among massive red rock formations
Final moments of peace before returning to the world
Campsite Notes
EC2: Secluded and peaceful, minimal foot traffic.
CP5: Central to Chesler Park, great for sunsets and exploration.
DP1: More remote, close to Devil’s Lane Loop, lots of space.
Trip Tips
Location: Canyonlands National Park - Needles District
Trailhead: Elephant Hill
Dates: May 31 - June 3, 2025
Permits: Required for all backcountry camping (book early).
Water: Carry all you need - limited to non-existent natural sources. When I was there in late May into early June the only water source I found was 0.5 miles from Druid Arch in Elephant Canyon. This water source needs to be filtered or boiled prior to consuming.
Navigation: Trails are marked with cairns (rock stacks) on the slickrock but not always reliable in places. A map or GPS is recommended. I used onXBackcountry for offline GPS tracking.
Timing: Spring and fall are ideal for avoiding the extreme desert heat.
Mileage: Total distance for 4 days was ~30 miles (including morning side trips)
Difficulty: For me I would rank it moderate-hard. Based on the tough terrain and elevation gain (~2500 ft) which includes some rock scrambling, challenging navigation over slickrock and remote campsites. The nice thing about doing this over 3 nights/4 days was the daily distance between campsites was not that bad. I was able to take multiple shade breaks during the hottest parts of the day.
Helpful Links
Final Thoughts
This 4-day trek through the Needles District was packed with unforgettable views, fun trail challenges, and deep desert solitude. Canyonlands continues to be one of the most underrated national parks - and the Needles offers a perfect backcountry escape.
Until next time.. Keep on trekkin’
—Ty
