Hiking Stone Storehouse Trail

Needles District

Overview

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RATING: Easy

LENGTH: 1 hour (0.3 mile)

MAPS: THE LOOP, UT

SEASON: Any

GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

WATER: None

hike

native american ruins

family friendly

access: paved

The start of the trail at sunrise.

This is the first trail you come to after entering the park and passing the visitor center. It is a short but great introduction to the park. The 0.6-mile trail crosses open country before descending into a shallow wash and visiting an old granary. The trail then loops back to the trailhead. A lovely little hike.

From the NPS Informational Sign:

Stone Storehouse Trail

Indigenous people long survived here through hard work and ingenuity. Nearly 700 years ago, some built these small stone structures, possibly to use for storage or ceremonial purposes. In Canyonlands, even older structures still stand, but archeologists have found few villages. This suggests that early inhabitants farmed intensively, yet may have lived here only seasonally. Without human impact, these masonry structures can survive for centuries in the desert climate. Please help protect these places by not climbing up to or entering structures. Any contact can erode foundations and weaken walls.

The stone storehouse (granary)

Getting There

The two closest towns to the Needles District are Monticello and Moab. Monticello is closer, but Moab is larger and has more services.

From Moab to the Visitor Center - Total Drive Time: Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes and ~75 miles from Moab

From Moab, head South on US-191 S (Main Street).
Stay on US-191 S for 39.6 miles. Keep an eye out for the junction with UT-211.
Turn Right onto UT-211 W. This is the scenic road that leads directly into the Canyonlands area.
Follow UT-211 W for 34.4 miles.
As you approach the park entrance, follow the signs and turn Right into the Needles Visitor Center parking area.

From Monticello to the Visitor Center - Total Drive Time: Approx. 1 hour and ~50 miles

Head North on US-191 N (Main Street) toward Moab.
Follow US-191 N for 14.4 miles.
Turn Left onto UT-211 W. You’ll see signs for Canyonlands National Park.
Stay on UT-211 W for 34.4 miles.
As you approach the park entrance, follow the signs and turn Right into the Needles Visitor Center parking area.

From the Visitor Center
Continue into the park about 1/3 of a mile to the signed trailhead on the left side of the road.

Pro Tip: Make sure to top off your tank before leaving Moab or Monticello and have plenty of supplies. There is a small outpost usually open spring through fall near the park's entrance, but supplies are expensive being such a remote outpost. There is free Wi-Fi available at the visitor center, but otherwise you are unlikely to get cell service.

Sunrise on the cliffs north of Needles.

Route

From the trailhead, the trail forks almost immediately. It doesn't matter which way you go, but I went counterclockwise. Go right at the junction.

The trail crosses open country, then descends into a wash and comes to a junction. Go right here a very short distance to see the granary tucked under an overhang.

On your return, go back to the junction and follow the return trail that loops back to the trailhead.