The Best Backpacking in San Juan County

Angel Arch from Cave Spring Trail is an out-and-back trail that is moderately difficult located near Monticello, Utah.

Access to this trailhead is a few miles south of the Islands in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park. An easy drive from Moab or Interstate 70. Remember to get permits and check in with the rangers if camping. If just doing a day hike then no permits are needed. REMINDER: There is ...

The first draw of this adventure is the roadtrip to the trailhead itself. Set out pre-dawn from Moab, UT and head 77 miles south and west to the Needles District Visitors Centre on Utah 211. En route you'll pass Newspaper Rock, a treasured collection of pictographs well worth the detour if you're...

Elephant Canyon Loop via Squaw Flat to Chesler Park to Druid Arch Trail is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Monticello, Utah.

Angel Arch from Squaw Flats Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Monticello, Utah.

Cyclone Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Moab, Utah.

A large part of the grandeur of Canyonlands National Park is the vast barren vista at Island in the Sky, but no visit to Canyonlands would be complete without the intimate and immersive desert experience that the Needles District offers. Drive two hours southwest of Moab away from cell phone rece...

Squaw Flat and Big Spring Canyon Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Monticello, Utah.

Squawflat Trail to Lost Canyon Peekaboo Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Monticello, Utah.

Chesler Park and Druid Arch Loop from Squaw Flat Campground Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Monticello, Utah.

Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Moab, Utah.

Lower Red Lake Canyon Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Monticello, Utah.

Druid Arch to Chesler Park Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Monticello, Utah.

Murphy Wash Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Moab, Utah.

Murphy Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Moab, Utah.

The Needles District of Canyonlands receives 6 times as many backpackers as its more popular neighbor across the Colorado River, Island in the Sky. The Needles has an excellent trail network that is incredibly diverse, featuring amazing rock features as well as grassy meadows and savannahs.  Whil...