Pets allowed
Not Allowed
Elevation Gain
1,374.00 ft (418.80 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
8.30 mi (13.36 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Canyonlands National Park is a gorgeous, highly underrated gem of a park that receives much less traffic than other more popular tourist attractions around Moab. This park sees only about 750,000 visitors a year, compared to well over 2 million at Arches National Park. There are three districts to the park: Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze. Bears Ears National Monument surrounds most of the park, and this area has extensive Native American history and cultural significance. Please be respectful and practice Leave No Trace principles. 

Big Spring Canyon lies within the Needles District, and it provides massive, wide open views of the surrounding desert. The colors within the canyon are incredible. A well established trail leads all the way up the gentle canyon and dead-ends at the base of massive slickrock formations, where cairns mark the path to the junction with Squaw Canyon. Look for the tunnel between the rocks. If you have the guts to go through it, you'll be rewarded with a view few people ever see.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Park entrance fee

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Stunning desert scenery. Gorgeous colors.

Cons

Lengthy sun exposure. Minimal water.

Trailhead Elevation

5,073.00 ft (1,546.25 m)

Highest point

5,534.00 ft (1,686.76 m)

Features

Backcountry camping
Big vistas
Geologically significant
Wildlife

Typically multi-day

No

Permit required

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

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