Best Hikes in Canyonlands National Park for Kids | Needles District
Most people flock to Island in the Sky at Canyonlands National Park. It’s near Arches National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. But driving the extra distance to explore The Needles District of the park is totally worth it. And there are great trails for kids, and ones the adults can enjoy, too.
The Needles boasts more than 60 miles of trails. However, most of them range from 6 to 11 miles each and aren’t the most kid-friendly. But I’ve taken my kids on a few of the shorter ones, and we recommend them to others wanting to venture into this area of Canyonlands National Park.
NOTE: Utah is hot in the summer. Temperatures in July and August often surpass 100 degrees. Bring at least 2 liters of water for each member of your party any time you head out on a trail. You don’t want to get dehydrated and end up in danger while you’re enjoying Utah’s beautiful landscapes.
Cave Springs Trail
We had no clue what to expect after parking at the trailhead and venturing out. But the kids loved taking this hike. In addition to finding a historic cowboy camp (as they call it), we had to climb two separate wooden ladders along the route.
We had just come from Mesa Verde National Park, and those same types of ladders were common along the trails. So finding these ladders made it feel like an extension of our trip.
The trail is short, but part of it is across potholed rock face. It can get really hot when the sun is beating down on you from above, and the rock is radiating the head back up. So be sure and have plenty of water with you.
DISTANCE: 0.6 miles round trip
CATEGORY: Easy
Roadside Ruin Trail
Roadside Ruin is one of the shortest trails in the park. Coming in at 0.3 miles roundtrip, it’s only a 20-minute hike. The highlight of the trail is an ancestral Puebloan granary. The trail is easily marked, so there’s no risk of getting lost along the way.
DISTANCE: 0.3 miles roundtrip
CATEGORY: Easy
Pothole Point Trail
Pothole Point Trail is another short trail in The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Along the way you’ll see wildflowers and amazing vistas. We hiked this trail near sunset and loved the colors filling the sky and the lighting of the rocks to shades of purple.
The trail is pretty easy to follow, but like the name of the trail indicates – there are lots of potholes. As you get out on the trail, you’ll be able to see The Needles rock formations in the distance as well.
DISTANCE: 0.6 miles roundtrip
CATEGORY: Easy
Slickrock Trail
The longest trail of the kid-friendly hikes is Slickrock Trail. There a lot of variety to the trail, and some scrambling across rocks that make it fun for kids. However, we had to keep a keen eye out for cairns, because the trail isn’t very clear. We made it to the final point and back to our vehicle.
When you get out to the end of the trail, you’re on a tall plateau with large river-carved valleys on each side. In the distance, we could see Island in the Sky – the northern portion of Canyonlands National Park.
Since the trail is longer, you’ll need to ensure you have an adequate supply of water. Hiking across rocks in the heat of the summer can quickly dehydrate you.
DISTANCE: 2.4 miles roundtrip
CATEGORY: Easy/moderate
The Details
Address: At end of Highway 211, approximately 35 miles west of Highway 191. That a 1.5 hour drive from Moab to The Needles District.
Cost: A recreational use pass is required when entering Canyonlands National Park. It’s $30 for a private vehicle, $25 for a motorcyle or $15 per person (which is usually for bicyclists, and those entering without a car). The pass is valid in the park for 7 days. But I would highly recommend buying an annual pass so you can visit all of the national parks throughout the country for free.
Hours: Although Canyonlands National Park is open year round, each of the districts have Visitor Centers with seasonal hours. In The Needles, the Visitor Center is open daily from spring to fall, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bathrooms and access to water are available year round.
Website: https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm
Phone: (435) 719-2313
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