Needles District

There are four short, self-guided trails along the scenic drive. Each trail highlights different aspects of the park's natural and cultural history. Trail guides are available at the visitor center and at the trailheads.

Cave Spring Trail

Length (round-trip): .6 mi/1 km

Start: Cave Spring parking area

Time: 45 minutes

Trail features a historic cowboy line camp and prehistoric pictographs. Two wooden ladders must be climbed.

Pothole Point Trail

Length (round-trip): .6 mi/1 km

Start: Pothole Point parking area

Time: 40 minutes

Uneven slickrock surface. Trail leads to pothole communities and views of the Needles.

Roadside Ruin Trail

Length (round-trip): .3 mi/.5 km

Start: Roadside Ruin parking area

Time: 20 minutes

Trail features an ancestral Puebloan granary.

Slickrock Trail

Length (round-trip): 2.4 mi/4 km

Start: Near Big Spring Overlook

Time: 2 hours

Uneven slickrock surface. Several viewpoints and sometimes bighorn sheep.