The greatest concentration of jeep, mountain bike and hiking trails in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park lies within the Needles District. This is a backcountry area, as opposed to the Island In the Sky district which is very accessible by passenger car. More than 8000 visitors to the Needles camp out in the backcountry every year.

In fact, there are more 4WD trails in the Needles District than in any other national park in the state of Utah. Deep sand can be encountered along many routes, making them much tougher for mountain bikes than for jeeps.

Elephant Hill is among the more difficult of the Needles’ District trails. The switchbacks at the beginning require backing, turning, and backing up again, which is one of the key reasons why the trail is rated difficult. Silver Stairs, a slickrock descent toward the end, is even tougher than the starting switchbacks. Elephant Hill is 15.2 miles round trip and is bordered by several backcountry campgrounds.

One of the more beautiful areas on Elephant Hill is Devils Lane, a mass of red and white fins and spires. Views from the bench above the Lane are outstanding, stretching toward landmarks in the more remote Maze District. The Maze is the least explored area in the lower 48 states.

Horse and Salt Creek Canyons are more moderate than Elephant Hill. Salt Creek is the only canyon that has carved a drainage completely through the Needles District, winding north and northwest for more than twenty miles to the Colorado River. This jeep road leads past arches, to petroglyphs and pictographs, and by picturesque Anasazi ruins. One of Horse Canyon's unique features is a arch called Paul Bunyan's Potty. A pothole on the cliff above met an alcove on the wall below, and the result is an arch that resembles a huge toilet seat. There are also numerous side canyons worth exploring. The Horse Canyon segment is very rocky for the last quarter mile and has one tight squeeze between a rock overhang and a boulder. Horse and Salt Creek Canyons are a little over 20 miles round trip.

Lavender Canyon, also a moderate trail, is not as well known as Horse or Elephant. Several arches and Indian ruins line the canyon walls. The head of the canyon contains a labyrinth of narrow canyons that are wonderful to hike, but must be avoided when rain is in the forecast. Lavender is 30 to 35 miles round trip.

Horse/Salt Creek and Lavender both require special permits. Even if you have camping reservations, you must pick up a permit and a combination to the locked gate at the visitor center. No permit is required for Elephant Hill. The Park tries to maintain trails for stock vehicles, but trips like Elephant Hill must be checked in advance for the latest conditions.

The Needles Outpost, located on a spur road near the Park boundary, is a privately owned facility that offers services to park visitors. There is a general store with propane and firewood and a fee campground. Jeep rentals are available as well as guided jeep tours. It is a seasonal business, so call ahead to make sure it's open.