Needles District

The Needles District, in the south-east corner of Canyonlands National Park, is reached via a pleasant drive through the Indian Creek Wilderness area. Approaching the park itself, the Cedar Mesa Sandstone spires which give the area its name can be seen as a backdrop to the bulkier rock formations. This area of the park contains excellent hiking trails and off-road tracks. We hiked one of the shorter trails, the Slickrock, which provides expansive panoramas of this section of the park and the surrounding country.

Looking up Indian Creek Canyon on the way in to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.

Approaching the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.

North Six Shooter Peak in the Bridger Jack Mesa area of Utah, just outside the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. On the right horizon is South Six Shooter Peak. The photo was taken from the Slickrock Foot Trail in the park.

Looking east from the Slickrock Foot Trail in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.

Looking from the Slickrock Foot Trail towards the Chesler Park area of the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.

Judith and Serge looking towards the Island in the Sky from the Slickrock Foot Trail in the Needles District, Canyonlands National Park.

View northwest from the Slickrock Foot Trail towards Island in the Sky. Junction Butte and Grand View Point are on the far right horizon.

Serge and Judith on the Slickrock Foot Trail looking northeast. Needles Overlook is on the right center horizon.

View northeast from the Slickrock Foot Trail towards the Needles Overlook on the center horizon.

View from the Slickrock Foot Trail over Big Spring Canyon towards Grand View Point and the Island in the Sky.

Zooming in on the sandstone towers of the Needles District, Canyonlands National Park.

View from the Slickrock Foot Trail over Big Spring Canyon towards Junction Butte and Grand View Point in the Island in the Sky District.