Traveling combines my love of nature, photography, history, culture and writing. It's an unending journey of discovery about one's self and the world we live in. This is a very scenic drive on a paved road. If you have driven Elephant Hill and want to share your experience, you can do so in the comment section at the end of this post. Then the canyon narrows again, and the trail climbs up the left side to a ledge (look for rock cairns), which the trail follows upcanyon, bypassing a pouroff and large plunge pool. It was a while since I had been and Canyonlands blew me away again. River Permits. And there will be your first view of Druid Arch! To drive this road, you must have a permit, a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, and prior experience on 4WD roads. Hiking to Druid Arch is like no other trail and a truly unique experience in the high desert of southern Utah. The day I did the Druid Arch hike, I had a mixture of rain, blue sky, and plummeting temperatures.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theunendingjourney_com-leader-4','ezslot_17',119,'0','0'])); And, if you are hiking Druid Arch in the summer, make sure you get an early start. Next you reach a fork in the canyon, and the trail goes left up a fairly steep, slickrock-bottomed chute that climbs to an upper level defined by broad sandstone benches. The Abajo Mountains, called the Blue Mountains by many local residents, are visible far to the southeast. After a couple hundred yards, the trail drops into the streambed and crosses a purple/black layer of resistant rock. The shoulder seasons of April/May and September/October provide cooler temperatures and mostly dry conditions. Though hiking Druid Arch isn’t the easiest trail, the sense of accomplishment at the end is unmistakable. And permits are available at the Canyonland’s visitor center or online here. Receive action alerts, updates, and conservation news. Do you like to be surprised when you visit a new p, My first real slot canyon. Druid Arch is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Needles district. We are planning to visit Needle in winter and will surely hike to Druid arch. Remember when I said you need great tread on your boots? Permit reservations can be very competetive. Go left on the trail to Druid Arch up the west side of the streambed. Along this section, you already get some wonderful canyon views, views over the park, and strange rock formations. The trail bears left and reaches a six-foot-high steel ladder. Following the marking for Druid Arch, you pass through a closer set of Needles. Not only is there limited parking at the trail head, but the temperature heats up quickly. Druid Arch is located at the southern end of Elephant Canyon. But, if you are planning on camping in the Chesler Park area, you will need to get a permit. Turn left to hike up the wash towards Druid Arch. Day use is OK without a permit.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theunendingjourney_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',117,'0','0'])); But, if you are planning on camping in the Chesler Park area, you will need to get a permit. Within a few hundred feet you reach another junction. There are a few established campsites along the way, up along the edges of the gulches, and they require a permit … Though it is hard to tell as you never see Druid Arch until you are basically in front of it. But this time, you are seeing the tops of the Needles so it is a completely different landscape from what you hiked. The trail bears left and enters a long, narrow crack about 2 feet wide and 50 feet long. Safely nestled in the back country of the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park, this towering arch is seen only by a few who tackle the fantastic Druid Arch hike deep into the heart of the park.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'theunendingjourney_com-box-3','ezslot_1',108,'0','0'])); It’s a hike that takes you to jaw dropping views and deep into canyons through an unbelievable landscape. The trail drops into an open park with extensive cryptobiotic soils and heads towards another group of rounded sandstone monoliths. Your pictures are stunning!! My hiking boots have been well worn and I didn’t realize how worn they had become. The canyon opens up a bit and the walking is flat and easy. Unlike many arches in this country, it looks more like a pile of huge stones reminiscent of the rocks of Stonehenge; indeed, it is this similarity that caused early explorers to give it such an unusual name; the name was officially adopted in 1963. thanks for useful details. Total Distance: 10.8 mileseval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'theunendingjourney_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',110,'0','0'])); Trail Head: Elephant Hill; You can start from Squaw Canyon camp ground, though it will add several more miles to the hike. For the most part, this wasn’t an issue as the trail led back to the wash. About 0.3 mile past EC3 you reach another trail junction, this time from Chesler Park, that drops down the right side of the canyon. But whatever you do, don’t give up as you are so close! Start: Elephant Hill Trailhead. So I didn’t reserve a permit. Well, this is the section you need it for. At-large sites must be one mile from any road and at least 300 feet from any archaeological, historical, or water site. Food – You’re going to need something to keep you going. Full Chesler Park Backpacking Trip Guide. This looks beautiful! A lot of fun and a lot, One of the most amusing and delightful places on m, North Cascades: A Scenic Road Trip on Route 20, Banff National Park: Highlights for a 2 Day Visit, The National Parks of Washington State: Mt Rainier, North Cascades & Olympic, Sequoia & Kings Canyon - 22 Hiking Trails for All Levels. These formations are particularly beautiful in early morning light. Advance reservations can be made up to 4 months out and are recommended during peak season. On International Women's Day, learn about some of the artists, scientists, and river runners who made history in the Grand Canyon. So, make sure that you have a hat and/or sun screen to keep you protected. lavender Canyon Permit required for day use. If you are doing a day hike to Druid Arch, you do NOT need to get a permit. There is no water at the trail head, nor is there any water found along the trail. Some druids venerate the forces of nature themselves, but most druids are devoted to one of the many nature deities worshiped in the multiverse (the lists of gods in appendix B include many such deities). Overnight backcountry camping permits are $15 per itinerary. Constantly you are watching your step while also looking around and above. Costs & Permits. The Needles become more apparent, framed by the walls of the canyon, and two rock formations with towers, turrets, and varnish-streaked walls come into view on the left side of the canyon. Return the way you came. Facilities: Toilet at parking lot only, no water at the trail head or along the hikeeval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theunendingjourney_com-box-4','ezslot_4',111,'0','0'])); Cost: Entry into Canyonlands National Park is $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days, or free with an America the Beautiful pass. All day and overnight trips on the rivers require a river permit. I hope you discover the same. After hiking up a short, steep uphill, sandstone buttes and neighboring canyons come into view. The Druid Arch hike is in The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. The usual starting place for the hike to Druid Arch is Elephant Hill (Soda Spring) Trailhead. If you are camping at EC2, look for a trail on the right that climbs some rock ledges. Voila, there’s Druid Arch rising before you, roughly 450 feet high! And it is OK for regular cars. If you decide to purchase through these links, I receive a percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Navigation can be tricky, as there are many directions to take. At about 0.3 mile, you get your first view of the Needles, the highly fractured and eroded pinnacles in the distance. And you will need the rest as to get back to the car, you have to the follow the Druid Arch hike the same way you came. Location: Canyonlands National Park, Utah; Distance: 11 Miles (Round Trip) Elevation Gain: 2076 Feet I’ll be sure not to go in summer, as I don’t think I would enjoy that kind of heat! I changed my plan to a day hike to Druid Arch… Backcountry camping requires a permit. Hi, I'm April! And, at every junction on the Druid Arch hike, you will find signage making it extremely easy to know which direction to take and how long you have to go. Do I Need a Permit? Fall seemed to take forever to arrive in the city. Plus, the end of the trail provides an excellent place to relax and soak in the views.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theunendingjourney_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_11',116,'0','0'])); Rain Gear – The weather can change suddenly in Canyonlands. This arch and Angel Arch are the two big arches in the Park. And as the trail heads up, this is where it becomes a wee bit difficult. The last two miles of Elephant Canyon are exceptional, even in an area that is already remarkable. Permitting- You need a permit to hike Fiery Furnace (explained below). Looking right, you can see the Wingate Sandstone cliffs in the far distance that create the Island in the Sky, the northernmost part of Canyonlands National Park. If you stay just on the park road, you never get close to them. love it, beautiful photos! It is impossible to get to one section of Canyonlands from another. Once in the Elephant Canyon, it’s an easy walk through the wide wash. Littered with rocks and deep sand at times, Needles peak through in the distance as well as provide the walls of the canyon. The primary road into the backcountry of the Needles District, you'll need a permit, high clearance 4WD, and guts to make this trek. And most of that distance is scrambling up the somewhat marked trail of large rocks. Be pleased to admit them amongst us, suffer them to partake of that knowledge they are so anxious to obtain, and instil into their minds the useful admonitions and regulations which govern this Degree. Crowds- Since Arches is relatively small & navigable, it can overflow with tourists. Horseback Riding, and Pack- and Stock-Use Permits. Hope you can visit soon! Day use is OK without a permit. The sandy trail wanders across a bench peppered with piñon and juniper trees as well as blackbrush, Mormon tea, clumps of grass, and patches of prickly pear cactus. Though, if the weather is agreeable and you have the energy, you can make the hike about 4 miles longer by adding the loop around Chesler Park if you wanted to see more of the Needles on your way back to the car. Doing the Druid Arch hike, you walk through canyons formed by these spires. Missing. Knowledge is power. Utah Trails advice was spot on, "it would be a shame to visit without (1) spending a night in Chesler Park, (2) experiencing the Joint Trail, and (3) seeing Druid Arch." The main Druid Arch path remains in the streambed another half mile or so then cuts left at a bench, another somewhat hidden section; ahead are some shallow, seasonal pools of drinkable water, then a big pour-over pool in a narrow, overgrown place, below a sheer drop. The parking lot is located at road’s end.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theunendingjourney_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_18',120,'0','0'])); The last 3 miles of the road are unsealed/gravel. All day trips to Druid Arch are permit-free. There is just so much to take in! One of the most spectacular natural arches found in Utah is the elusive Druid Arch. Though, the last half mile of the hike before getting to Druid Arch is the most difficult of the entire trail. Stop at the Visitor's Center for a back-country permit and information. It’s hard to believe that on this day a year ago, It’s been a week, and I’m missing NYC. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works … While the first part of the hike crossed open parks and wandered between sandstone knobs, the rest of the hike to Druid Arch follows the bottom of Elephant Canyon, which provides a radically different experience. Maps: USGS The Loop and Druid Arch; Trails Illustrated Needles. It follows the first part of ... arches and Tower Ruin. Unlike many arches in this country, it looks more like a pile of huge stones reminiscent of the rocks of Stonehenge; indeed, it is this similarity that caused early explorers to give it such an unusual name; the name was officially adopted in 1963. Was this post helpful? Druid Arch is a 150-ft tall Cedar Mesa Sandstone arch located within the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, Utah. Along the way the trail travels through scenic Elephant Canyon, beneath sandstone walls sculpted into amazing shapes. There is additional parking just down the road in the direction you came from. Many of the hikes and destinations featured on the Colorado Plateau Explorer are located in remote areas or near rural communities with limited healthcare resources. One of the few good things about COVID is many people are discovering the outdoors. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'theunendingjourney_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',109,'0','0'])); ***Note: This post contains affiliate links. You can reserve them up to four months … The landscape is otherworldly and your photos are amazing. The first of three backcountry campsites in Elephant Canyon (EC1) is visible to the right on the canyon floor. I got a permit to go there to scout it out, had my place figured out, and had another permit to go a few days later. Distance: 10.8 miles; out and back. If you’ve been hiking for a while and haven’t seen a cairn, it’s best to go back to the last one you saw and spot the next set.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'theunendingjourney_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_20',121,'0','0'])); And whatever you do, please do not disturb the cairns. Continue to the Squaw Flat Campground road, turn left on it and go about a quarter mile to the gravel road that goes right to Elephant Hill. It can be highly confusing for hikers who come after you. Druid arch 11 mi/18 km, 5-7 hrs round trip This trail offers one of the most spectacular views in the Needles. I’m not sure which was better. You can reach Druid Arch from several routes, but the most commonly used route is the out-and-back route from Elephant Hill Trailhead. There aren’t many arches like this one. If it is a light rain, you should be okay. Sites are categorized as sites and zones. If the Elephant Hill parking lot is full, you can start the Druid Arch hike from the Squaw Flat Campground but you are adding 2-3 miles to the entire hike. Two main factors (permitting & crowds) determined when we hiked the trails. Druid Arch in Summary. But the park is divided into 3 separate sections: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze.