Elephant Canyon 2 (EC2) — Canyonlands National Park

This is a backcountry campsite reachable by a 2.5 mile hike from the Elephant Hill Trailhead in The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. This is dispersed camping so there are no services nor amenities once you leave the trailhead. Leave No Trace principles apply. WAG bags required. Carry in any water that you might need because water is scarce or non-existant.

The hike to the campsite is over hills, down canyons, across slick rock and traversing sand. The trail is marked by cairns for most of the way, but it is highly recommended that you use a topo/trail map and compass or GPS to navigate. Along the way you will see a variety of rock formations such as joints, fins and spires.

You will come to a scenic overlook of a canyon. To the right will be the trail to EC1. To the left will be the trail to EC2. You will need to cross the creek (often dry, sometimes flowing) to reach the site, When you cross the creek vear left on the trail. Walk about .25 miles and look for the wooden sign post with EC2. The site is perched on the side of the hill on a little flat area with room for 2-3 tents.

This is one of the first couple of campsites when entering The Needles District from the Elephant Hill Trailhead. There are two additional sites located within a quarter a mile. EC 1 is located about .25 miles north and EC3 is located about .25 miles southwest. This site has views of some bluffs and the creek below. There are two large spires above the campsite. When the sun is setting the bluffs directly in front of this site are illuminated.