Scramble Through the Joint Trail
HikingModerateSpringFall
Head to the Needles District of Canyonlands to squeeze through deep, narrow vertical fractures in the rock that feel like a natural cathedral.
Itinerary tips
- 1Plan for a full day as the drive from Moab to the Elephant Hill trailhead takes approximately 90 minutes one way.
- 2Carry at least three liters of water per person, as the high desert sun is intense and there are no refill stations on the trail.
- 3Download offline maps or bring a physical topo map because GPS signals are notoriously unreliable deep within the rock fractures.
- 4Arrive at the trailhead before 8:00 AM to secure a parking spot, as the Elephant Hill lot fills up rapidly during peak months.
- 5Wear high-traction hiking boots to navigate the slickrock sections and uneven sandy floors inside the narrows.
- 6Combine the Joint Trail with the Chesler Park Loop for an 11-mile trek that showcases the district's best sandstone spires.
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