The Happiness Function

If hiking to this iconic arch in Utah is on your adventure list, you’re in the right place. After college, I had the opportunity to work for the National Park Service in Moab. This is one of my favorite hikes in Canyonlands, and I’m sharing all the details, along with backcountry safety tips to consider.

The Druid Arch hike in Canyonlands National Park is a high desert adventure off-the-beaten-path in the Utah backcountry.

Located in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, the trail takes explorers through sandstone, slick rock, sandy wash bottoms, and canyon country. Prior to reaching the 150-foot sandstone arch, there is some rock scrambling and a small ladder climb. The hike is an incredible backcountry adventure located 2 ½ hours southeast of Moab.

Hiking to Druid Arch in Canyonlands From Chesler Park

Where is Druid Arch Located?

The Druid Arch trail is located in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.

The trailhead is located near Monticello, Utah, in the Chesler Park area.

How To Get to the Druid Arch Trailhead

From Moab, Chesler Park is about 2 ½ hours south southeast to another entrance of Canyonlands National Park.

• From Moab, head south on US-191 for about 40 miles.
• Then, turn right onto UT-211 W. There will be a sign for Canyonlands National Park.
• Follow UT-211 W for about 37 miles.
• Turn left onto the road with a sign for Squaw Flat Campground.
• From here, follow the signs to Elephant Hill.

Cell phone reception is limited in this area.

Be sure to download navigational maps for offline use before leaving Moab.

Planning tip: The iconic Newspaper Rock wall is located off UT-211 W. Be sure to make time to check it out on your way to or from hiking to Druid Arch.

Druid Arch Day Hike Details From Chesler Park

• Trail Name: Druid Arch Trail from the Elephant Hill Trailhead in Chesler Park
• Difficulty: Moderate difficulty, some rock scrambling, inclines, small ladder + long-distance
• Distance: roughly 11 miles round trip (out and back)
• Time: 5-7 hours
• Parking: Parking is by the Elephant Hill off-road trail

The trail is touted as one of the best areas to see the Needles rock formations in the park. The hike can be done as a day hike or a backpacking adventure. All overnight trips require a permit.

Spring and fall are popular times to visit, and permits can be hard to come by. You’ll definitely want to plan in advance if a backpacking trip is part of your plan.

At the beginning of the hike, the trail follows the Chesler Park trail. Then it branches to follow Elephant Canyon. The trail is well-marked with rock cairns. Keep your eyes peeled to make sure you’re on the right path. You’ll be hiking through sandy bottoms and washes.

In the last ¼-mile, there is rock scrambling and a ladder to reach the arch. Once you get to the arch, enjoy it. It is awesome to see.

Hiking Safety

Download or buy a map: Cell phone reception is hit-and-miss in this area. It is worth having a map, especially if you are not local or familiar with the area.

This area is very rural: Whenever we hike out here, we bring our own everything — food, water, shelter, and even extra gasoline for the truck. We bring extra gas so we can go from one place to another without worrying about when we’ll find the next gas station.

Always tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back. Just in case you go missing, Search and Rescue will know where to start (just in case).

Be flash flood-aware: Keep an eye on the weather. You will be hiking in washes. Southeast Utah is prone to flash floods. Always have an out for higher ground. Maintain an out by scanning the surrounding area and noting high water marks along the trail.

Safety tip: Be mindful and aware of your surroundings when hiking through sandy washes in the desert. If you see plant debris piles, those are flash flood water level indicators. You want to be able to be higher than those debris piles in a flash flood emergency.

Best Time of Day to Hike

I recommend starting as early as possible. This hike is roughly 11 miles round trip (out and back) and will take 5-7 hours to complete.

Best Time of Year to Hike

You can hike here year-round.

In the spring: You’ll want to watch out for muddy conditions after snowmelt and rainstorms. In the late spring, you’ll be treated to the cactus blooms.

During the early or late summer: To beat the heat, you’ll want to begin hiking as early as possible. I don’t recommend doing this hike in the middle of the summer.

Be aware of gnats. They can be in full force in Utah from late spring through the summer.

The fall: This is a great time to visit. We hiked to Druid Arch in September, and it was absolutely perfect.

Our favorite time of year to wander in the desert is in the spring and fall. The mornings are cooler, making for fantastic hiking conditions.

In the winter: You’ll enjoy exploring if there isn’t much snow. If it is wet and icy, you might not be too excited about rock scrambling and the ladder at the end.

Checklist Before Hiking in the Utah Backcountry

Hikers should be prepared to enjoy the remote desert wilderness prior to beginning this adventure.

Backcountry Hiking Information

Check with Canyonlands National Park for trail conditions prior to heading out.

Final Thoughts

Spending time in the desert is near and dear to us. I used to live and work in this area, and I love sharing all of these special places with you.

Please check out our page on practicing environmental stewardship in the backcountry and protecting precious biological soil crust.

Please stay on the trail to protect biological soil crust, and always Leave No Trace.

Happy Hiking,

Ashlee & Pablo

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.”

Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire

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