State: Utah
Location: Canyonlands National Park
Length, One-Way: 3.3 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 5150 feet
Elevation Change: 500 feet
Best Season: Spring, Fall
Difficulty: Moderate
Usage: Moderate
Druid Arch trail is quite a climb
Trail Information
The Druid Arch Trail heads south from Chesler Park Trail to Druid Arch. It heads through the canyon bottom of Elephant Canyon. The trail conditions change from smooth slickrock to deep sand to crumbling sandstone.
Begin hiking from the Elephant Hill Trailhead. The trail heads south from the trailhead over slickrock and past some interesting formations as it ascends slightly from Soda Spring. After hiking for 1.5 miles, you’ll reach a trail junction. The route joining Chesler Park Trail from the east heads 2.3 miles to Big Spring Canyon Trail. Bear right at this junction and begin hiking west.
The trail heads west for 0.6 miles over slickrock and descends into Elephant Canyon. Once on the floor of this drainage the trail forks, the right fork heads to Chesler Park. Take the left fork south down Elephant Canyon toward Druid Arch. There is a backcountry campsite (EC1) just north of this junction.
About 0.6 miles from the Chesler Park Trail is another junction. The trail heading east from this junction is the Squaw Canyon Trail. The second campsite along this route lies at this junction. Continue south, right, through the drainage toward Druid Arch. A short distance beyond this junction is primitive campsite EC3. About 0.5 miles from the last junction the trail splits again. At this point, the Joint Trail heads to the west. Bear left at this intersection to continue toward Druid Arch.
Beyond the Joint Trail, the Elephant Canyon/Druid Arch Trail ascends slowly for 1.5 miles where the gradient steepens. The last quarter mile of this hike ascends steeply along the slickrock, with the help of a ladder, to Druid Arch. As it begins this ascent, the trail leaves the drainage.
Directions
From Needles Visitor Center:
Follow the main park road to Squaw Flat Campground. Bear right onto Elephant Hill access road and follow about 3 miles to the trailhead.
