Druid Arch Trail
Photo: NPS/Veronica Verdin- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- best months
Is Druid Arch Trail open right now?
Alert in the area
The National Park Service lists an alert for Canyonlands National Park.
Mineral Bottom and White Rim Road are open but not recommended
Park alert covering Canyonlands National Park · NPS · Canyonlands National Park
As of · Source: NPS · Canyonlands National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Encounter spectacular rock formations on this unique trail. • Roundtrip Distance: 10.8 mi (17.4 km) • Time: 5-7 hrs • Overall Elevation Change: 503 ft (153 m) Cumulative elevation gain on this route is much greater. • Difficulty: Strenuous • Hike Description: This trail offers one of the most spectacular views in The Needles. It follows the first part of the Chesler Park trail, then branches off to travel along the bottom of Elephant Canyon through deep sand and loose rock. The last 1.25 mile at the upper end is steep with one ladder and some scrambling. • Bring: Water (1 L per person, per hour), snacks, sturdy footwear, headlamp, map, and be prepared for, sun, rain, heat, or cold. • Accessibility: This trail can be rough, sandy, and requires climbing a ladder and some scrambling on rock. It is not accessible to wheelchairs. In winter, there may be snow or icy conditions; we recommend traction devices for hikers. • Accessibility: This trail can be rough, uneven, and requires walking up and down a rocky hill and stone steps. It is not accessible to wheelchairs. In winter, there may be snow or icy conditions; we recommend traction devices for hikers. • Dogs are not allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal?
Local outfitters
- Red Desert RV Park31 mi away
- Spanish Trail RV Park32 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Best time to visit Druid Arch Trail
Best months: March–May and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
42° / 17°
4 wet · 2 snow
Feb
49° / 23°
4 wet · 1 snow
Mar
59° / 30°
5 wet · 1 snow
Apr
67° / 36°
5 wet
May
77° / 46°
4 wet
Jun
89° / 56°
3 wet
Jul
95° / 63°
5 wet
Aug
92° / 61°
6 wet
Sep
84° / 51°
5 wet
Oct
70° / 38°
5 wet
Nov
55° / 26°
4 wet · 1 snow
Dec
42° / 18°
4 wet · 2 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Canyonlands-The Needles, UT, 4.1 mi away at 4,906 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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Big Spring Canyon to Elephant Canyon Loop Trail
~2 min drive
This loop features extended hiking on slickrock benches and mesa tops overlooking canyons. Excellent views of sheer cliff walls and other rock formations. Roundtrip Distance: 10.5 mi (16.9 km) Time: 4-6 hrs Overall Elevation Change: 443ft (135m) Cumulative elevation gain on…
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Peekaboo Trail
~2 min drive
This trail crosses both Wooden Shoe and Lost Canyons on its way to Salt Creek Canyon, passing along high slickrock benches with spectacular views. Roundtrip Distance: 10.8 mi (17.4 km) Time: 5-6 hrs Overall Elevation Change: 429 ft (131 m) Cumulative elevation gain on this…
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Canyonlands' Cave Spring Trail
~7 min drive
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. Roundtrip Distance: 0.6 mi (1 km) Time: 45 min Elevation Change: 67 ft (20 m) Difficulty: Easy Hike…
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Devils Kitchen
~5 min drive
5.99-mile out-and-back trail in Utah with 1,186 ft elevation gain.
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Big Spring Canyon to Wooden Shoe Canyon Loop Trail
~2 min drive
A great introduction to the landscape of The Needles, this route connects two canyons for a loop across varied terrain. Roundtrip Distance: 7.5 mi (12 km) Time: 3-4 hrs Overall Elevation Change: 478 ft (146 m) Cumulative elevation gain on this route is much greater.…
Lower Lost Hiker
~4 min drive
2.06-mile out-and-back trail in Utah with 659 ft gain.
HIKE
Wooden Shoe Canyon to Lost Canyon Loop Trail
~2 min drive
This loop hike is a bit more challenging, with one ladder and some difficult sections of climbing between the two canyons. Roundtrip Distance: 8.7 mi (14 km) Time: 4-6 hrs Overall Elevation Change: 404 ft (123 m) Cumulative elevation gain on this route is much greater.…
Spanish Bottom
~9 min drive
1.90-mile out-and-back trail in Utah with 1,519 ft gain.
Elephant Canyon
~2 min drive
2.82-mile out-and-back trail in Utah with 686 ft elevation gain.
Lower Red Lake
~10 min drive
2.78-mile out-and-back trail to Lower Red Lake in Utah with 1,577 ft of elevation gain.
Also worth it near here
The Needles District
~4 min drive
Photo: J. Benjamin Wildeboer (talk · contribs), Ben W on flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Druid Arch
~6 min drive
SEE
Lower Jump
~7 min drive
BED
Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
~7 min drive