The Needles in Canyonlands National Park

· exploring · national park · park · Canyonlands NP

The day after visiting the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, we went back to The Needles section, “named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area”.

But on the way, we stopped for a picnic lunch at the Kane Springs rest area, next to the Hole 'N the Rock tourist trap:

Hole N the Rock

The rest area has nice picnic shelters, where we had our lunch:

Picnic lunch

Though it was rather overrun with tent caterpillars:

Caterpillars

The rest area:

Rest area
Rocks

Continuing on down the road, a glimpse of an arch:

Arch

Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument petroglyphs:

Petroglyphs
Petroglyphs

Continuing on, more interesting rock formations:

Rocks
Rocks
Rocks

Entering the national park:

Canyonlands sign

Visitor center:

Visitor center

What's in bloom?

What's in bloom?

Visitor center:

Visitor center

Rocks:

Rocks
Rocks
Rocks
Rocks
Rocks
Rocks

Wooden Shoe rock:

Wooden Shoe rock
Rocks
Rocks
Rocks
Rocks
Rocks
Rocks

Needles Overlook, a free viewpoint outside the park, with a great view, and nice paths, benches, and shelters:

Needles Overlook
Needles Overlook
Needles Overlook
Needles Overlook
Lizard
Needles Overlook
Needles Overlook
Needles Overlook
Jenn & David
Needles Overlook
Needles Overlook
Needles Overlook
Needles Overlook