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Utah
530 ft
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Why you'll love it
Big Spring Canyon to Elephant Canyon Loop Trail
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
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<p>This loop features extended hiking on slickrock benches and mesa tops overlooking canyons. Excellent views of sheer cliff walls and other rock formations.</p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="5" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-listid="4" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{863dbba9-92a9-4926-86c7-97eb2e14b853}{150}" paraid="1792760086"><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 10.5 mi (16.9 km) </p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="5" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-listid="4" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{863dbba9-92a9-4926-86c7-97eb2e14b853}{159}" paraid="1110728402"><strong>Time</strong>: 4-6 hrs </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="5" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-listid="4" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{863dbba9-92a9-4926-86c7-97eb2e14b853}{172}" paraid="422829055"><strong>Overall Elevation Change</strong>: 443ft (135m) <br /> <em>Cumulative elevation gain on this route is much greater. </em></p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="5" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-listid="4" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{863dbba9-92a9-4926-86c7-97eb2e14b853}{181}" paraid="1904918403"><strong>Difficulty</strong>: Strenuous </p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="5" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-listid="4" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{863dbba9-92a9-4926-86c7-97eb2e14b853}{190}" paraid="1570864325"><strong>Hike Description</strong>: You will have to climb two ladders in the pass between the canyons. </p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="5" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-listid="4" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{863dbba9-92a9-4926-86c7-97eb2e14b853}{199}" paraid="614746361"><strong>Bring</strong>: Water (at least 1 L per person, per hour), snacks, sturdy footwear, headlamp, map, and be prepared for, sun, rain, heat, or cold. </p> </li> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="5" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-listid="4" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{863dbba9-92a9-4926-86c7-97eb2e14b853}{208}" paraid="422259802"><strong>Accessibility</strong>: This trail can be rough, uneven, and requires climbing two ladders. It is not accessible to wheelchairs. In winter, there may be snow or icy conditions; we recommend traction devices for hikers. </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="5" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-listid="4" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{863dbba9-92a9-4926-86c7-97eb2e14b853}{221}" paraid="1092500356">Dogs are not allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in national parks. <a href="https://cms.nps.gov/planyourvisit/service-animals.htm">What is a service animal?</a> </p> </li> </ul>
Chesler Park Loop and Joint Trail
~2 min drive
<p>This trail provides many great panoramas of the Needles formations. The Joint Trail winds through deep, narrow fractures in the rock. </p> <ul> <li> <p><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 10.7 mi (17.2 km)</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Time</strong>: 5-7 hrs</p> </li> <li> <p>…
Chesler Park Viewpoint Trail
~2 min drive
<p>Discover stunning views of the sandstone spires that characterize the Needles.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 5.8 mi (9.3 km)</li> <li><strong>Time</strong>: 3-4 hrs</li> <li><strong>Overall Elevation Change</strong>: 533 ft (162 m)<br /> <em>Cumulative e…
Druid Arch Trail
~2 min drive
<p>Encounter spectacular rock formations on this unique trail.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 10.8 mi (17.4 km)</li> <li><strong>Time</strong>: 5-7 hrs</li> <li><strong>Overall Elevation Change</strong>: 503 ft (153 m)<br /> <em>Cumulative elevation gain on…
Pothole Point Trail
~3 min drive
<p>This short loop trail (0.6 mi/1 km) crosses sandstone dimpled with pockets called potholes.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 0.6 mi (1 km)</li> <li><strong>Time</strong>: 45 min</li> <li><strong>Elevation Change</strong>: 36 ft (11 m)</li> <li><strong>Diffi…
Slickrock Trail
~4 min drive
<p paraeid="{d14d2d0d-a4b0-4790-be11-fb663f41d6ff}{113}" paraid="137460281">Slickrock, a general term for any bare rock surface, dominates much of the landscape in Canyonlands. For millions of years, natural forces have interacted to create the sweeping vistas and landmarks vi…
Big Spring Canyon Overlook and Trailhead
~4 min drive
<h4>Overlook</h4> <p>Big Spring rests at the end of the Needles Park Road. From the overlook, unique rock spires and multi-colored sandstone benches line the bend in the canyon. The presence of the spring allows trees and plants to flourish in the spring and summer months.</p>…
Canyonlands' Cave Spring Trail
~5 min drive
<p>This is the trailhead for a short, 0.6-mile (1 km) loop leading to a historic cowboy camp and prehistoric rock markings. You will climb two ladders to complete the route. </p> <ul> <li><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 0.6 mi (1 km) Time: 45 min</li> <li><strong>Elevatio…
Grand View Point Overlook and Trail
~20 min drive
<p>Grand View Point lies at the southernmost end of the Island in the Sky scenic drive. From here, you can see the across miles of corrugated canyons, the White Rim four-wheel-drive road, features in The Maze and The Needles, and distant mountains. A short, paved sidewalk lead…
Gooseberry Trail
~22 min drive
<p paraeid="{dd69bb86-0131-4382-92b9-332d48e86814}{110}" paraid="110904803">This is the steepest trail in this district of Canyonlands, descending over a thousand feet of scree slopes and switchbacks across sheer cliffs.</p> <ul> <li> <p><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 4.…
Murphy Point Trail
~26 min drive
<p>People seeking a mostly level hike longer than just a mile might enjoy the Murphy Point Trail. It leaves the pavement and vehicle sounds behind, and offers the change to imagine what Canyonlands looked like during its ranching days before it became a national park. </p> <ul…
