Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites
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 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.
More like this: reservable in Utah · pets allowed in Utah · group sites in Utah · dark sky in Utah
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 2 |
| Group tent areas | 1 |
Site guide
3 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dutch Oven Group Campsite | Loop A of Needles CG | Group | Pull-through | 50 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 50 / 10 | Yes | Standard |
| Wooden Shoe Group Campsite | Not in campground. Located on paved access road near Wooden Shoe Overlook. | Group | 99 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 25 / 5 | Yes | Standard | |
| Split Top Group Campsite | Not in campground. Located on unpaved access road near Cave Spring Trailhead. | Group tent | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 15 / 3 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 25 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Dutch Oven Group Campsite. 11-20 people, $90. 21-30 people, $135. 31-40 people, $180. 41-50 people, $225. Wooden Shoe Group Campsite. 11-15 people, $70. 16-20 people, $90. 21-25 people, $115. Split Top Group Campsite. 11-15 people, $70 |
| Dark sky | Inside Canyonlands National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
The Needles is a remote district with limited services and no cell coverage. Group sites offer groups of 11 or more an opportunity to stay in a remote setting in a unique national park. RVs and trailers over 25 feet (7.5 m) will have difficulty accessing these sites. The Dutch Oven site has access to potable water, flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. The other two group sites, Wooden Shoe and Split Top have access to potable water, non-flush tiolets, picnic tables, and fire rings. You may reserve individual campsites at the Canyonlands Needles District Campground page.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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.
| Nearest town | Canyonlands National Park, Utah |
| Area | Recreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 38.25° N, 109.88° W. Call the office before you drive. |
Charges and cancellations
If the location is staffed, on-site personnel may or may not be able to assist with changes or cancellations (check with local staff). 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.
Explore
Video
Needles District Campground - Canyonlands National Park, UT
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.
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.
Nearby
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.
Guidebooks for Canyonlands National Park
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- Moon Utah: with Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef and Canyonlands National ParksMaya Silver, 2024Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites?
Sites at Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites?
Dutch Oven Group Campsite. 11-20 people, $90. 21-30 people, $135.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites?
Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites have?
3 sites, including 2 group sites and 1 group tent area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites?
The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there showers or a dump station at Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites?
The Dutch Oven site has access to potable water, flush toilets, picnic tables and fire rings.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites?
Yes, pets are allowed at Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites good for stargazing?
Yes. Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites sits inside Canyonlands National Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites?
The Needles District's extensive Hiking trail system provides many opportunities for both short and long day hikes as well as overnight backpacking trips. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites?
Canyonlands National Park, Utah. Southeastern Utah offers breathtaking scenery, hiking, road and mountain biking opportunities, rafting and scenic driving routes.
Source: Getting there
Which national park is Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites in?
Canyonlands National Park Needles District Group Campsites is a Canyonlands National Park campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.
Source: Canyonlands National Park