Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites campground
Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites

Check by phone
3 campsites

3

Total Campsites

Campground

3

Reservable Sites

Check by phone

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites

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 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. 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.

  • 3 total campsites listed.
  • Most common site type: group standard nonelectric (2).
Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites photo 2
Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites photo 3

Our Take

What makes Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites special

The Needles District Group Campsites in Canyonlands National Park deliver some of the most dramatic backcountry group camping in Utah's canyon country. With just three group sites at 4,900 feet, perched among the red and white sandstone spires that give the Needles its name, this is remote camping done right. The 1.5-hour drive south from Moab filters out casual visitors, leaving a quieter, more contemplative park experience than the crowded Island in the Sky district. Hiking here is world-class — trails thread through slot canyons, past ancient rock art, and onto sweeping viewpoints over the Colorado River watershed. Spring and fall are the only sensible seasons, with April through May and September through October hitting the temperature sweet spot. Bring every drop of water you will need and prepare for limited services. These group sites are made for organized hiking groups, photography clubs, scout troops, and experienced desert campers who want genuine solitude amid some of the most striking geology on the Colorado Plateau.

Campsite Inventory

3 sites to choose from

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC

2total sites

2

Reservable

0

Accessible

GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC

1total sites

1

Reservable

0

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

AMPHITHEATER

Amphitheater

CAMPFIRE RINGS

Campfire Rings

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Site capacity

Single

Check-in time

01:00 PM

Check-out time

10:00 AM

Condition Rating

N/A

DRINKING WATER

Drinking Water

Driveway entry

Pull-through

Driveway Grade

Slight

Driveway length (ft)

50, 99

Driveway surface

Gravel, Paved

FLUSH TOILETS (SEASONAL)

Flush Toilets (Seasonal)

GRILLS

Grills

Location Rating

Good, Prime

Max guests

15, 25, 50

Max vehicle length (ft)

20, 25

Minimum guests

11

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Check by phone

Phone

435-259-4711

Getting There

Driving Directions On US Highway 191, drive 40 miles (60 km) south of Moab or 14 miles (22 km) north of Monticello, then take Utah Highway 211 roughly 35 miles (56 km) west. Highway 211 ends in the Needles, and is the only paved road leading in and out of the district.   Split Top  From the entrance station follow the main park road into the Needles District. Take the first left off the main road (1 mile/1.6 km from entrance station) towards Salt Creek/Cave Springs. Follow this road down until you see the Salt Creek/ Cave Springs sign (.7 miles). Turn left on the dirt access road at this bend. Follow the dirt road until you see the Split Top Group Site sign on your left (.8 miles). Use these directions in conjunction with the interactive map on the reservation page.  Wooden Shoe   From the entrance station follow the main park road into the Needles District. Take the second left off the main park road (1.8 miles/2.9 km from the entrance station). Follow this road only briefly until you see the Wooden Shoe Group Site Sign on your left (.2 miles/ at the bottom of the hill). Use these directions in conjunction with the interactive map on the reservation page.     Dutch Oven From the entrance station follow the main park road until you see signs for the campground. Hang the left into the campground and follow the signs into Loop A. The group site is halfway down the road leading through Loop A on your right. Important!!  There are no lights on park roads or campsites. If you are unfamiliar with the Needles, it is highly recommended that you arrive before dark. Bring these driving directions with you. The group campsites are marked with wooden signs 10 - 15 feet (3 to 5 m) from the road.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites.

How do reservations work for Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites?

Reservation availability for Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites?

Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites currently lists GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC (2), GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC (1).

Where is Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites located?

Canyonlands National Park Needles District GROUP Campsites is in Utah near Canyonlands National Park.

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