Canyonlands National Park

The Needles
The Needles live up to their name. These multicolored sandstone structures look like large needles and are located in the park’s southeastern area. There are miles of trails to choose from, but Slickrock Foot Trail is a great place to start. If you’re shorter on time, check out Cave Spring.

Island in the Sky
Island in the Sky is a great place to get an overview of the park. You’ll be roughly 1,000 feet above the rest of the park, giving you an incredible bird’s eye view. A scenic drive is available too if you don’t have a full day to commit to Canyonlands but want to take photos.

The Maze
The Maze is an area of the park that is best used for backpacking. This is a remote section best for experienced backpackers. If you’re just looking for a day hike, this isn’t your best choice. If you want to take on a multi-day backpacking trip, this is the perfect choice in Canyonlands.

Salt Lake City – 245 miles
Denver – 365 miles
Las Vegas – 470 miles
Phoenix – 460 miles

Dead Horse State Park

To the north of Canyonlands is Dead Horse State Park, a less tracked option for camping in the Moab area. Canyonlands can be difficult to get a spot in, so check out two parks in one trip!

The Needles Campground
One of only two campgrounds in the park, The Needles is a basic campsite that isn’t short on views. Of the two, this one tends to be a bit quieter than Island in the Sky but be sure to bring your own supplies.

Island in the Sky Campground
Also called the Willow Flat Campground, this spot only has 12 sites available. While open year-round there are no spots specific to RV vans nor is there potable water. This spot is primitive, but the scenery is worth the work. Per night, this spot costs $15.