Map showing campground location near Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Camper submitted image from Elephant Canyon 3 (EC3) — Canyonlands National Park

Elephant Canyon 3 (EC3) — Canyonlands National Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Hikers looking to explore Druid Arch or Chesler Park have a logical staging point at EC3, a backcountry campsite in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, roughly 2.5 to 3 miles from the Elephant Hill Trailhead. The route crosses hills, slick rock, sand, and a canyon floor before arriving at a site tucked among rock formations and marked by a wooden sign post. Space runs to three or four tents. There are no services of any kind once you leave the trailhead.

Water is the central planning concern here. The creek below the site runs dry most of the time, and multiple reviewers flag this consistently. As Troy W. puts it, "Don't count on any water being in the creek, it will most likely be dry." Carry everything you need. WAG bags are required, a permit is necessary, and Leave No Trace principles apply throughout. Cell service is absent.

The site sits at an elevated position relative to the canyon floor, which gives campers open sightlines toward a plateau and the distinctive needle formations the district is named for. One reviewer reported hearing a mountain lion nearby, a reminder that wildlife is active in the area. The nearby Elephant Canyon 2 (EC2) and Elephant Canyon 1 (EC1) campsites sit along the same approach trail for groups who need to split up or want a closer look at the full corridor. EC3 suits backpackers comfortable navigating by map or GPS who are prepared to be fully self-sufficient.

Check Availability Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

The Loneliest Road Trip

The Loneliest Road Road Trip Segment: Pueblo to Delta

Pueblo to Delta: 3 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsElephant Canyon 3 (EC3) is located in Utah near Canyonlands National Park

Public Campground

Coordinates

38.11199864 N
109.83763197 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Dispersed
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

Reservable

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Reservations

+14357192313

Drive Time

4 hrs 49 min from Grand Junction, CO
5 hrs from Farmington, NM
6 hrs 14 min from Provo, UT
6 hrs 45 min from Salt Lake City, UT

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Elephant Canyon 3 (EC3)

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

5.0

out of 5

4 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the spacious backcountry site with excellent canyon views, accessible via a moderate 2.5-3 mile hike. All campers noted the complete lack of services, requiring self-sufficiency with water and waste management.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

ZachTruthNow

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2024

Beautiful multi layered canyon experience

Growled at by mountain Lion 100meters from climb up to campsite. Amazing. So textured and layered. Loved just staring at everything. Fun climbs to top of canyon. Bring more water than you think.

SiteElephant Camp 3

Month of VisitJuly

(5) View All

Rachel T.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 16, 2021

Perfect Backpacking Trip

This spot isn’t a difficult hike, so it’s great for inexperienced backpackers. To get there, you hike a dry river/creek bed. The site is higher up than the trail. The elevated location gives you a great view of the canyon.

There’s a rock in this site that offers privacy, so people have turned it into a bathroom. There wasn’t trash around, but there was definitely an odor over by that rock. It didn’t affect the part of the site where we had our tents.

We had a clear night, and the starriest sky I’ve ever seen!

I’d love to camp here again!

SiteEC3

Month of VisitMay

Angee D.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 17, 2019

Views All Around

This is a great backpacking campsite. Permit is required as are wag bags and leave no trace. I tracked it at 3 miles from Elephant Canyon trailhead. It was a 2 mile hike to Druid Arch from this site. No service and no water so plan accordingly.

Troy W.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2018

Elephant Canyon 3 (EC3)

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 cross a canyon and creek where EC1 and EC2 are located. Continue past EC2 for another .25 miles. You might walk right past the campsite, but look for the EC3 wooden sign post. The campsite is nestled amongst some rock formations. The creek is below in the canyon. Don't count on any water being in the creek, it will most likely be dry. There is plenty of open space to set up 3-4 tents.

This is one of the first three campsites when entering The Needles District from the Elephant Hill Trailhead. There are two additional site located within half a mile. This site has views of a plateau and some needles. A quarter mile away the trail splits between the trail to Chesler Park and Druid Arch.

SiteEC3

Month of VisitOctober

(5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Elephant Canyon located in Canyonlands National Park?

Elephant Canyon 3 (EC3) is located in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. The backcountry campsite is accessible via a 2.5-3 mile hike from the Elephant Hill Trailhead. The site itself sits elevated above the trail in a dry riverbed or creek bed, offering excellent views of the surrounding canyon landscape. Its position provides a stunning vantage point to appreciate the dramatic geology that makes this area of Canyonlands so distinctive.

What permits are required for camping in Elephant Canyon?

A backcountry permit is required for camping at Elephant Canyon 3. Since this is a designated backcountry site in Canyonlands National Park, permits must be obtained in advance from the National Park Service. WAG bags (waste alleviation and gelling bags) are mandatory for human waste, as this is a pristine environment with no toilets or facilities. All campers must follow Leave No Trace principles, packing out everything they bring in.

When is the best time to visit Elephant Canyon?

Spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for visiting Elephant Canyon. Summer can be extremely hot with little shade and no water sources, requiring careful planning and carrying extra water. Winter brings cold temperatures but fewer visitors. Regardless of season, be prepared for desert conditions with significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. Always check weather forecasts before your trip, as the canyon can experience flash flooding during rain events. Wildlife activity varies by season, with potential for encounters year-round.

What hiking trails connect to Elephant Canyon in Canyonlands?

The primary trail to Elephant Canyon 3 is from the Elephant Hill Trailhead, following a dry riverbed for approximately 2.5-3 miles. From the EC3 campsite, a trail connects to Druid Arch, which is about a 2-mile hike away. The campsite's location makes it an excellent base for exploring deeper into the Needles District. Various unmarked routes also allow for exploration of the canyon itself, with opportunities for climbing to the top of the canyon for more expansive views.

Keep Exploring