Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground

My greatest disappointment is the length of time it took to get a reservation, only to find that there were no other campers. Also, the ridiculous rule that I cannot ride my unlicensed motorcycle on the roads within the national park. I won't return to national parks because of what I believe is a flawed reservation system and too many use restrictions.

Very quiet, gorgeous and spacious sites! Loved having a fire in the pits provided while gazing at the magnificent stars.

Great campground! Isolated sites, clean bathrooms, amazing views of the stars.

Beautiful place, we hope to revisit. Campsite was wonderful and we were so grateful to be there in all that natural beauty.

I've always loved this campground - my first time here was 2004. Since then I've always driven to the Devil's Kitchen instead of using the campground and this is the first time in 17 years that I'm back at the campground after a dozen Jeep trips to the Kitchen, which I and my friends refer to as the "World's Best Campsites". We did that because the Elephant Hill road is the most fun 4x4 road I've ever been on and the campsites are, well the World's Best. On all the trips from the Kitchen, we'd hike mostly the same trails - drive down through the Grabens to the Joint Trail and loop through Chesler Park, while sometimes including the out and back to Druid Arch. I tell people that what is grand about Druid Arch isn't the arch, it's the view looking north up Elephant Canyon from the arch which is otherworldly and majestic.

But Squaw Flat is the better base for the best multi-day day-hiking you'll find. And the best of that is the Squaw Flat to Big Spring to Elephant Canyon and back to Squaw Flat loop. While a longer day hike, it is worth the miles and the double-ladder traverse is a joy, coming at the end of the traverse from Big Spring. On this trip during the first 2.5 hours I was alone until I ran into a lot of people coming to/from the Elephant Hill trailhead. I'd tend to avoid that trailhead and base hikes from Squaw Flat instead which is much less used despite being right at the campground. I guess people start at Elephant Hill because it is the shortest distance to Chesler Park, but the loop I described is simply grander and more interesting.

I just think the Needles is the best area in the park. Yes, I've been to the Maze - camped at the Dollhouse, the Maze Overlook, and just a few months at Cleopatra's and that is wonderful, and I've driven and camped on the White Rim a few times (favorite camping is the Hogback) , but the hiking is best in the Needles with the variety and the many loops.

Very helpful campground hosts. Most campers were respectful of each other, not too many generators. Clean bathrooms, thank you park staff!

Superb. Done right. Few sites. Spread out. Heard no generators. Great area.

Fabulous place. Been coming here for over 30 years. I especially want to acknowledge the Park Service staff that maintain the restrooms. The clean them several times a day and keep them spotless. The fact that the larger ones are heated with propane heat makes then especially welcome on the colder days (and the wash water is heated enough to keep the chill off.)
The reservation system is always a challenge. It takes me 2-3 weeks of trying to find the magic combination to get a reservation in as sites open up. Once in the system, everything works fine.
Salt Creek seems to be perpetually closed with wet weather but we got into Lavendar Canyon this time--what a treat! If you are able to do either, don't missi the chance.

Great campsites and some of the best hikes anywhere!

Just what we wanted!!!