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:

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

Though it was rather overrun with tent caterpillars:

The rest area:

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

Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument petroglyphs:

Continuing on, more interesting rock formations:

Entering the national park:

Visitor center:

What’s in bloom?

Visitor center:

Rocks:

Wooden Shoe rock:

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

Canyonlands National Park includes four sections. We visited the “Island in the Sky” district first:

Island in the Sky visitor center:

Relief park map:

Rocks:

We also went on the Upheaval Dome hike:

Looking down on the Shafer Trail, a dirt switchback road: