Distance: 5.4 miles one-way

Elephant Canyon - Druid Arch Trail

Every hike needs a destination. By hiking to Druid Arch, you will experience much of the Needles and experience Elephant Canyon, one of the best canyon walks in the Needles District. Druid Arch is over 100 feet tall and resembles the rocks of Stonehenge. It is an impressive sight and is a very satisfying destination after the long hike getting there.
Home

Canyonlands National Park - Needles District

Needles District
The closest access is the Chesler Park Trail at the Elephant Hill Trailhead. Many also start at Squaw Flat Campground which adds another 1.3 miles but is a paved trailhead.
Access:
The trail starts with a short climb and rock squeeze before arriving at plateau with views of the Needles. At 1.5 miles is a junction. Go right which takes you 0.6 miles over a divide and drops you down into Elephant Canyon. Now in the wash of Elephant Canyon, another trail split. Turn left and you are going to be following Elephant Canyon all the way upstream to the Druid Arch. The trail is sometimes in the river wash, other times along the side or even on the hillside above, when it avoids some large pools of water. The last half mile has a few easy scrambles in the rocky wash, one spot even has a ladder. Once past the ladder, a steep trail climbs through rocks to a high perch which offers the best views of the arch.
Route:
elephant canyon map Elephant Canyon Druid Arch Elephant Canyon canyonlands Elephant Hill elephant hill elephant hill canyonlands Elephant Canyon Needles Elephant Canyon slickrock hoodoo Elephant Canyon Elephant Canyon Needles Canyon Wash
Elephant Hill Trailhead
Crack in the rock just above the trailhead
Trail heading over to Elephant Canyon
In route to Elephant Canyon
Elephant Canyon Wash
Short scramble on the trail in upper Elephant Canyon trail
Needles from Druid Arch Viewpoint
Hiking toward the Needles
Elephant Canyon
Elephant Canyon
Upper Elephant Canyon
Elephant Canyon
Looking down Elephant Canyon from the Druid Arch Viewpoint
Druid Arch