Monticello, Utah
Top Spots in and near Monticello
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Monticello, Utah
Explore the Newspaper Rock Ancient Petroglyphs
4.7After leaving Moab, turn off Highway 191 on to 211. The drive will wind over the mesa tops and down into red rock canyon country. Enjoy the changing seasons whether the red cliffs are covered in snow or spring desert flowers are blooming.Watch for cattle as this is open range country. Also watch ...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Climbing in Indian Creek
Come November most climbers are missing rock season. It's too cold. There's snow on the ground. There are lots of reasons why you can't climb in my native state, Montana, come November. So when some friends want to head to Moab to go climb in the colder months, I'm in.Indian Creek is a extremely ...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Backpack Salt Creek
33 mi / 1000 ft gainThe Needles District of Canyonlands receives 6 times as many backpackers as its more popular neighbor across the Colorado River, Island in the Sky. The Needles has an excellent trail network that is incredibly diverse, featuring amazing rock features as well as grassy meadows and savannahs. Whil...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Rock Climbing in Indian Creek
5.0Just outside the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and 40 miles south of Moab lies one of the greatest crack climbing destinations in the world. Indian Creek is home to world famous routes such as "Supercrack of the Desert" 5.10 "Way Rambo" 5.12- and "Incredible Hand Crack" 5.10c.This...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Hiking to Wilson Arch
4.3To get to Wilson Arch, drive south of Moab on US-191 S for about 25 miles. The arch is right off US-191S and there is parking on either side of the highway. Keep an eye out after you pass the LaSal Junction - the arch is visible from the road.From the parking lot there is a a very short (~0.5 mil...Read more -
Egnar, Colorado
Raft the Dolores River
On years with enough moisture and runoff, kayakers, rafters, tubers and SUP-ers all take to the Dolores River. This section of water from Slick Rock to Bed Rock provides a two night, three day float through red canyon walls, meandering bends in the river, a a few notable side canyons. The water l...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Climb Wilson Arch
Wilson Arch is a common stop for people visiting the local national parks and Moab, but with some general climbing knowledge and gear you can make this into a longer outing. If coming from Moab, the arch is obvious on your left about 25 miles south. There is ample parking on both sides of the r...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Explore Looking Glass Arch
4.0Getting there:From Moab, follow Highway 191 south for about 23 miles until you get to Looking Glass Road/Co. Rd. 131. Take a right and follow the road for about 2 miles and then turn left into the parking lot.It is only about 0.10 miles from the parking lot to the arch itself, but there is a ~150...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Camp at Hamburger Rock
Hamburger Rock is a small BLM campground with 10 sites based around an interesting rock outcropping. Each site can accommodate around 6 campers, 2 tents, and 2 cars. The bathrooms here are very basic, open-top pits, and no other services are offered. Camping fees are only $6/night.Read more -
Moab, Utah
Hike the Cave Spring Loop in the Needles District
4.00.6 mi / 35 ft gainThe Cave Spring Trail within Canyonlands National Park takes visitors past some well preserved pictographs and a cowboy camp complete with many original artifacts, all located in bluff "caves" below the overhanging cliffs of a low mesa. The path later climbs to the top via a pair of wooden ladde...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Hike Peekaboo Trail to Salt Creek Canyon
10 mi / -60 ft gainTrail Description This adventure starts at Squaw Flat Trailhead A in the Needles District of the Canyonlands. Get there early to claim a parking spot, as there are several trails in the area, and you will want to see the colors change in the rock formations as the sun rises in front of you on you...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Joint Trail in the Canyonlands Needles District
5.019.06 mi / 3028 ft gainA large part of the grandeur of Canyonlands National Park is the vast barren vista at Island in the Sky, but no visit to Canyonlands would be complete without the intimate and immersive desert experience that the Needles District offers. Drive two hours southwest of Moab away from cell phone rece...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Camp at Squaw Flat Campground
3.0Squaw Flat campground is an easily-accessed area full of picturesque campsites in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. It is located in the Needles District, which is well known for its colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that cover the region. Campsite reservations must be made in advance at rec...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Backpack to Chesler Park, Canyonlands NP
5.013 mi / 600 ft gainThe first draw of this adventure is the roadtrip to the trailhead itself. Set out pre-dawn from Moab, UT and head 77 miles south and west to the Needles District Visitors Centre on Utah 211. En route you'll pass Newspaper Rock, a treasured collection of pictographs well worth the detour if you're...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Druid Arch
5.010.28 mi / 1594 ft gainImportant Note: Druid Arch is located on the eastern side of Canyonlands National Park in the Needles District. It is not located at the main entrance to the park. Stop by the Needles Visitor Center and pick up a map. Your starting point, Elephant Hill Trailhead is then located 6.3 miles west of ...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Hike Chesler Park and Joint Trails, Canyonlands NP
4.710 mi / 1755 ft gainThis world class hiking route circumnavigates Chesler Park by way of open meadows, slots, subterranean alcoves, stairways and slick rock.Begin at the Elephant Hill Trailhead and head south following signage for the Joint Trail / Chesler Park along the way. Once you arrive at Chesler Park turn lef...Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Monticello
Monticello, Utah
Buckboard
Overview
Buckboard Campground sits in the Manti-LaSal National Forest in southeast Utah at the foot of the Abajo Mountains. Visitors enjo...
Monticello, Utah
Devils Canyon
Overview
Devils Canyon Campground sits in the Manti-LaSal National Forest of southeast Utah at the foot of the Abajo Mountains. Recreatio...
Blanding, Utah
Nizhoni
Overview
Nizhoni Campground sits in the Manti-LaSal National Forest in southeast Utah, at the foot of the Abajo Mountains.Recreation
Popu...
Monticello, Utah
Windwhistle Group Site
Overview
The Windwhistle Group Site is ideal for small gatherings looking for a quiet retreat. The parking is limited and you must walk...
Moab, Utah
Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
Overview
The Needles Campground and group sites are located deep within the southern portion of Canyonlands National Park in southeastern...
Moab, Utah
Creek Pasture Group Site
Overview
The Creek Pasture Group Site at Creek Pasture Campground is ideal for large groups wishing to recreate in the Indian Creek area,...