Needles Overlook Interpretive Site

  Drive seventeen miles west on narrow Canyon Rims Road until it ends at a small parking lot. Spread out far below is all of Canyonlands National Park, a view that most  people don’t see because of the remote location. There is a short paved trail with two overlooks and two dirt trails. The paved trail is accessible but the view from one overlook is partly blocked by the interpretive sign, the other is blocked by railings and concrete that ends a little too soon so it’s not possible to pull up close to the railing. One of the dirt trails is accessible with assistance, the other is too rocky.

  The views are best with the late afternoon sun because of haziness in the morning.

  This is all BLM land and designated as a “recreation management area”.  I can’t find an explanation for that but it seems to pertain to OHV riding. There are many dirt roads and also many signs prohibiting riding cross country or riding near the overlook area. There are signs prohibiting camping near the overlook area too. We found a large flat spot that had obviously been used before about 4 miles before the overlook area and a few hundred feet from a sign that said “Camping Prohibited Beyond This Point”. There’s also a BLM campground called Windwhistle located on Canyon Rims Road, about 6 miles west from US 191.

  Canyon Rims Road is paved the entire way and suitable for any RV. The sites in the campground are large enough for any RV. The overlook area has parking along the side where RVs will fit. Overlook  38.25988, -109.69597