Needles section of Canyonlands National Park

Last time we were here at Needles was in 2004.  It was us, a rented Ford Explorer, and our little 7x7 tent.  We took a jeep tour across Elephant Hill and convinced the tour leader that it would be okay for us to hike back to our campsite through Chesler Park.  He did give us some extra water for the 7 plus mile hike.  We remember this hike well, as it was getting dark as we got close to "home", and we didn't have flashlights.

This time we pulled in with our motorhome at our chosen site, which although long enough for our RV, had a huge drainage dip..........no way we could get into our site, and the campground was full.  Luckily, we stopped in at the Visitor Center, and luck had it that they had an "administrative" site, so we were good to camp!

We stayed for 3 days, but should plan a week next time, as there are so many wonderful hikes through canyons, across slick rock, across scrub plains.  The Needles rock formations are so beautiful, and the hikes (though sometimes a little challenging) are just plain, the best.  Where else can you be climbing through rubble, walk along a narrow ledge, climb down a ladder at the edge of the abyss, and walk between canyon walls?

The campground, now that we've noted the sites without the DIPS, is also great.  Our site had us back into a wall of rock while facing out at all of  the Needles formations.  And then there are the incredible night skies without any conflicting light (no power here, not even lights in the restrooms).  WOW!  We'll be back.