The Needles Campground, near Moab, Utah, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes of Canyonlands National Park. With its picturesque views and proximity to hiking trails, it’s a prime location for both tent campers and RV enthusiasts.

This campground features two loops: one is first-come, first-served, while the other allows reservations during peak seasons. Visitors have noted the spaciousness of the sites, which provide a sense of privacy amidst the beautiful rock formations and junipers. As one camper mentioned, “The campground layout is nice and spread out, and the whole area is so quiet and peaceful.”

Amenities include vault toilets and drinking water available at pay stations, but keep in mind there are no showers or electric hookups. Campers appreciate the basic facilities, and many have enjoyed the starry nights after a long day of hiking. The nearby trails offer a range of experiences, from easy walks to more challenging hikes, making it a great base for exploration.

While cell service is limited, some campers have found that a signal booster can help. The campground is a perfect retreat for those wanting to disconnect and enjoy nature, with the added bonus of being close to the breathtaking scenery of the Needles district.

## Overview

 The Needles is a remote district located within the southern portion of Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah. The Needles District is 1.25 hours driving time from Monticello, Utah, and 1.5 hours from Moab, Utah, and sits at an elevation of approximately 4,900 feet (1494 m). The Needles Campground offers limited services and is best suited to tents and small, self-contained campers and RVs. If you are looking for group campsites, visit the [Needles District Group Campground][1] page. You may book individual campsites in Loop B up to six months in advance mid-March through mid-November. Loop A is available first come, first served only. Please, also read \_ Facilities \_ below and the Need to Know tab for important information. 
## Recreation

 The Needles District's extensive trail system provides many opportunities for long day hikes and overnight backpacking trips. Foot trails and four-wheel-drive roads lead to such features as Confluence Overlook, Druid Arch, the Joint Trail and Chesler Park.
## Natural Features

 The campground contains stands of Utah juniper and pinyon pine. Flowering prickly pear cacti, yucca and other desert wildflowers dot the landscape in the spring, adding to the vivid colors of the surrounding red rock desert. The Needles District forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands National Park and was named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area. The park is within an arid, high desert environment with hot summers and cold winters. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Southeastern Utah offers breathtaking scenery, hiking, road and mountain biking opportunities, rafting and scenic driving routes. Arches and Mesa Verde National Parks, the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments and Dead Horse Point and Edge of the Cedars State Parks are all within three hours drive of the Needles Campground. Moab, Utah, (1.5 hours away) offers numerous restaurants, shops and museums.
## Charges & Cancellations



[1]: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10060971

The Needles Campground — Canyonlands National Park

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, La Sal, UT is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

La Sal

The Best Camping Near La Sal, Utah

site: very private. semi-wooded. some shade. 
amenities: pit toilets and families with running water near.
attractions: near great hiking. exceptional views.
I drove through to check out the campground and then decide to stay here a couple nights.


in nature

Nice sites which are semi private because of the tree coverage which also adds a great smell to the area. You get you standard picnic tables, fire grates, tent pads, but this site has flush toilets. Also, water is available year-round but not at many other location within the park (make sure to plan ahead). First-come, first-served, but wasn't a problem since not alot of people seem to use this area. But you can reserve the group sites...

Great location, nicely set into the treees

The campground itself is beautiful, nestled between trees and rock formations the sites are far enough for completely privacy and quiet.
There are bathrooms and water and your picnic tables and fire pits.
Trail heads for many amazing hikes of different levels start here so if you want an early start this is the place!

It’s unfortunate though that the NPS doesn’t do a better job at running the site and informing visitors about its availability. Rec.gov app says the camp is full without even first comes availability. At entrances to the park a big sign says the camp is full, sign near the camp says so as well. There is no camp host or anyone to ask.
When I got there at 2pm “full” meant 3 open sites!
Further more, some sites have multiple tent pads, this is mentioned anywhere which is a a shame since it could help with the limited open spaces. 

All in all a beautiful, great located campground! Too bad the NPS doesn’t do it’s job efficiently enough for everyone to enjoy it.

Great campsite, mismanaged though.

This campground is really cool and has amazing rock features all around. There were very few campers or hikers there in early September and it was very peaceful. Neighbors could be a little close if others were there. The rangers were really nice. It's super hot, as expected, but there's water at the trailhead.

Name sucks but otherwise great

After a long day of hiking, this was a perfect spot.  Adjacent to the trailheads, the sites have great views of the terrain, and level parking.  RV and tent sites available-- these are spread out enough for a sense of isolation. There is a fire ring and picnic table. There are basic bathrooms; water has only seasonal availability and there are no showers. It was great for us -- we set up dinner and and enjoyed gorgeous star watching.  These sites are first come first serve if open, or reservations through the NPS website.  

Beautiful, basic, perfect!

We stayed in the Dutch Oven group site, loop A, which was adjacent to the restrooms with running water, and very near to the Squaw Flat trailhead. I really appreciate how the NPS utilized the space.  Most campsites seemed to be given some privacy by being tucked into the various nooks and crannies of a long rock wall. This also gave us the chance to see the rock up close. 

A few practicalities: there is water available, and there are flush toilets, along with pit toilets. There is an outdoor sink with running cold water. All the water is cold. There is also garbage and recycling.

The group site contains several tent pads, a fire ring, about 4-5 aging charcoal grills (ok, one has a rusted-out bottom). There is ample parking for the site, which is set off the main loop road by a cluster of bushes. 

There are no showers, however one can be purchased from the nearby Needles Outpost just outside the park gates. There is also a camp store at the outpost, and I believe they also advertised fire wood and ice? Maybe call to confirm because once you make it to Needles, you won’t want to leave, because it’s beautiful, and because it’s a long drive (excepting the nearby outpost). 

Overall, the campground felt remote, fairly private, and very quiet, which is incredible for a campground in a National Park. The Needles district itself, is removed from the hustle and bustle of busier Utah locations and it’s an explorer’s dream. We loved climbing around this gorgeous rock as we explored the various trails. And we hardly passed anyone else. We went in early April. Nights were down in the twenties. I imagine hikers might roast here in the summer?



Gorgeous

There are two loop- Loop A is 14 first-come-first served sites, loop B is 11 reservable sites. Checkout is 10 AM. Lots of competition to find a site- we had to get there at 8am to get a good spot.

Great Developed Campsites near Trailheads

Beautiful campground in the Needles section of Canyonlands.

  

$20/night, and there is a 7 day stay limit within 30 days, and 14 days total per year. 

  

There are two loops: loop A is first come first served, and loop B takes reservations during busy season (is FCFS in winter), but if there is a spot open it’s available for walk up (no reservations) for one night only.  The campground layout is nice and spread out, and the whole area is so quiet and peaceful. 

  

There is drinking water here, trash and recycling (plastic and aluminum only), flush toilets (no showers). 

  

No cell service in the whole park but our WeBoost gave us several bars of LTE, and there is wifi at the visitor center. 

  

This campground is nice in that there are many hiking trails nearby. 

  

There are 2 handicap spots, and 1 is available for anyone after 8pm for 1 night only. 

  

Heads up that the driveway up into each camp site can be steep and/or have a dip so if you have a long vehicle you may scrape. I believe the length limit here is 25ft, we fit fine in our 26ft motorhome. Hosts on site were very nice and helpful. 

  

Campground is free in winter after the water is shut off (approx mid to late November, usually, depending on weather).

Loved It

Showed up early with intent of finding open first come site.  2 or 3 avail at 10 ish in morning.  Ended up with one of the reserved sites that recently canceled for 2 nights.  Great site, lots of privacy.  In long bed 1 ton with an AT Overland Habitat.

Was pretty warm while there.  Managed to find a little slot canyon in the rocks 30 yards from our site.  Temp was 20 degrees or so cooler...Great find.



Great cg for tents or smaller rvs.

Loop A is first come no reservations. loop B is reservations in spring and fall busy seasons. $20/$10 senior. 7 day camping limit.  Vault toilets, water at pay stations, trash, recycle.  Cell signal is limited to none. 

Nice CGs

Spent (2) wonderful nights under the moon and stars. One of my favorite campgrounds within the NP system. I stayed in Site 20 Loop B. Trash and Vault toilet nearby. Deep sink for drinking water and dishwashing a few minutes away.

No cell service. Wifi at Visitor Center (8 min. drive from Loop B). Friendly staff and volunteer rangers. Fire pit/grille and picnic table. Looking forward to the next stay.

Photos of The Needles Campground — Canyonlands National Park

Real photos from real campers