Canyonlands National Park Needles District by 4x4
Recommended by 98% of travelers
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Moab, USA
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Hit the dusty trail on a 4x4 tour of Canyonlands National Park. Expert guides will take you to see the highlights of Utah’s Chesler Park such as Elephant Hill, Devil’s Lane, and Devil’s Kitchen. There’s also the option to take a 3-mile (4.8-km) hike on the spectacularly scenic Joint Trail. This full-day adventure is the perfect way to experience Utah’s backcountry away from the crowds.
- Full-day tour to Chesler Park in Canyonlands National Park’s Needles District, from Moab
- Access beautiful backcountry by 4WD with an experienced guide
- Go off-road on some of the most challenging tracks in southeastern Utah
- Learn from your guide about the geology, wildlife and history of Chesler Park
- Take an optional hike on the Joint Trail that leads through a beautiful red rock landscape
- Includes lunch, water, and transport by 4WD
- NAVTEC Expeditions is an authorized concessionaire of Canyonlands and Arches National Park
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Transport by 4x4 vehicle
- Ice Water
- Gratuity to Guide :)
- Park entrance fees ($15/person) unless you have an annual National Parks Pass
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Navtec Expeditions321 N Main St, Moab, UT 84532, USA
You can meet us at our office 15 minutes prior to departure at 321 N. Main St. in Moab. We have parking for your convenience and there is also free curbside parking all around if our lot is full. Please contact Navtec directly for pick-up.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.8:00 am
Itinerary
This tour of Canyonlands National Park begins in the middle of Moab, where you’ll meet your guides and hop in the comfortable 4x4 off-road vehicle. The drive to the Chesler Park area is approximately two hours, as it’s located out in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.
The reward for the lengthy drive, however, is sweeping vistas of desert landscapes you’d expect to see in brochures, where multicolored rock formations emerge from the sun-scorched earth. You’ll explore the ancient rock formations and weave through the cactus, looking for wildlife like mule deer, lizards, or herds of bighorn sheep.
At Elephant Hill, watch as your guide skillfully maneuvers what's known as one of Utah’s most challenging 4x4 trails. You’ll pass Devil’s Kitchen and Devil’s Lane before emerging at SOB Hill.
Towards the middle of the day, you’ll enjoy a tasty, buffet-style lunch at a panoramic viewpoint, and then be given the option of hiking along the dusty Joint Trail. The 3-mile (4.8km) loop leads towards the Chesler Park meadows, which are often considered as one of the park’s most spectacularly scenic spots.
The trail itself weaves through towering boulders and an intriguing network of canyons, and even though the path is well groomed and the trail is well defined, it’s still a hike that’s sufficiently challenging for even the most experienced of hikers. If you’d prefer to skip the Joint Trail hike, you’re allowed more time to photograph the views surrounding your scenic lunch spot, before continuing on in the 4x4 vehicle to remote sections of the park.
At the end of the day, having scoured the furthest and most isolated corners of Canyonlands National Park, your guide drops you off in the middle of Moab from where the tour began.
The reward for the lengthy drive, however, is sweeping vistas of desert landscapes you’d expect to see in brochures, where multicolored rock formations emerge from the sun-scorched earth. You’ll explore the ancient rock formations and weave through the cactus, looking for wildlife like mule deer, lizards, or herds of bighorn sheep.
At Elephant Hill, watch as your guide skillfully maneuvers what's known as one of Utah’s most challenging 4x4 trails. You’ll pass Devil’s Kitchen and Devil’s Lane before emerging at SOB Hill.
Towards the middle of the day, you’ll enjoy a tasty, buffet-style lunch at a panoramic viewpoint, and then be given the option of hiking along the dusty Joint Trail. The 3-mile (4.8km) loop leads towards the Chesler Park meadows, which are often considered as one of the park’s most spectacularly scenic spots.
The trail itself weaves through towering boulders and an intriguing network of canyons, and even though the path is well groomed and the trail is well defined, it’s still a hike that’s sufficiently challenging for even the most experienced of hikers. If you’d prefer to skip the Joint Trail hike, you’re allowed more time to photograph the views surrounding your scenic lunch spot, before continuing on in the 4x4 vehicle to remote sections of the park.
At the end of the day, having scoured the furthest and most isolated corners of Canyonlands National Park, your guide drops you off in the middle of Moab from where the tour began.
NAVTEC Expeditions - Day Tours (Pass By)
Needles District Visitor Center (Pass By)
Elephant Hill (Pass By)
Canyonlands National Park (Pass By)
Utah Scenic Byway 279 Rock Art Sites (Pass By)
Moab (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Things to Bring: reusable bottle (your guide will have lots of extra water available), sun protection/camera/suitable attire and footwear for the weather
- NAVTEC Expeditions is an authorized concessionaire of Canyonlands and Arches National Park
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- If you have an Annual National Parks Pass, please bring this for your park entrance fee, otherwise you will need to purchase a day pass for $15
- Every 4x4 tour needs a minimum of 3 individuals to run. If your trip does not meet the minimum the day prior, you will be offered other tour options or get a full refund (Another option is to pay for the 3rd fare)
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Deanne_C
It was an epic adventure! This amazing
4x4 excursion allows you to experience the Needles district of Canyonlands which isn’t possible to see on your own for most Moab visitors. The rock formations are out of this world and the hike was what we were hoping for. We’re active hikers in our mid-late 60’s. Cody who was our driver and guide was an outstanding host. He was informative, friendly and his driving skills were top notched—handling the rugged terrain with precision. Highly recommend it with NavTec Expeditions-they are true experts in off the road excursions.
Reviews
4.9
based on 299 reviews
Deanne_C, Mar 2026
It was an epic adventure! This amazing
4x4 excursion allows you to experience the Needles district of Canyonlands which isn’t possible to see on your own for most Moab visitors. The rock formations are out of this world and the hike was what we were hoping for. We’re active hikers in our mid-late 60’s. Cody who was our driver and guide was an outstanding host. He was informative, friendly and his driving skills were top notched—handling the rugged terrain with precision. Highly recommend it with NavTec Expeditions-they are true experts in off the road excursions.
AWilson_G, Sep 2025
Expect a challenging hike . Lunch was very good. Driver guide was very helpful. Stunning scenery all day.
julie_s, Aug 2025
NAVTEC tours TURNS IT UP TO 11....in the spirit of THIS IS SPINAL TAP
Sooooooooooooooo WOW!!!! It was awesome!
When in Moab, you must go here; you must use NAVTEC; and you must ask for Charlotte!!!!! the off roading was beyond belief. The Land Cruiser traversed terrain I hadn't experienced since Afghanistan. Charlotte was a perfect guide, giving us great info about the places, the history, and her perspective of the place. The lunch she fixed was perfect. There is no other way to do this fantastic place.
Cynthia_M, May 2025
If you knew all the details about this adventure into The Needles, within Canyonlands, you might make the mistake of not participating. That would be a BIG mistake. We had the times of our lives, one we'll never forget and forever be unable to clearly articulate. Our guide, Charlotte, was exceedingly competent, knowledgeable, and funny. Do not miss this opportunity to see a part of this National Park that few get to and to fully understand the meaning of gnarly.
Rachel_B, May 2025
Great trip! Keep in mind it is a true off road experience which is exactly what we wanted. We had been over Elephant Hill 30 years ago and my husband really wanted to go again but this time with someone else behind the wheel. Such beautiful country and beautiful views. Lunch was yummy! Plenty of water refills and snacks available. Our guide, Matt (forgot his last name - sorry Matt) was fantastic!
James_B, May 2025
Outstanding!!! The whole experience from Elephant Hill to the hike to The Confluence to being led by an Outstanding guide was… Dare I say it again? Outstanding!!!
Elizabeth_W, Dec 2024
We had a fantastic day!
For those who enjoy a great 4x4 experience, we would highly recommend this tour that tackles complex terrain and gives views that few would ever experience otherwise.
Charlotte, our guide/driver, was knowledgeable and a very capable driver in challenging conditions. She was incredible!!
Lunch, enjoyed on a scenic viewpoint, was absolutely delicious!
We would highly recommend this tour and definitely Charlotte!!!
Kim_W, Jun 2024
This adventure was wonderful. The scenery is magnificent. We were fortunate enough to have both a guide (Charlotte) and a guide-in-training (Ben). Both were extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend.
Sharyl_D, May 2024
We loved this excursion! The driving skill of the Navtek guides is top notch plus they had tons of local knowledge about the areas history. The hike was harder than we anticipated but they made sure everyone made it up and back successfully. Lunch was also great. We will be back for another tour in the future.
Greg_S, May 2024
Our trip was to be a 9 hour trip to the needles over rough roads. The suvs they use are small perfect for a total of 4 people including the driver. I called the week before. Told them my wife had knee replacement surgery 3 months ago. She would need room. Basically to prevent a DVT which can be life threatening. I told them I would pay for the extra seat. They agreed and had it documented. The night before the trip they told they are sticking us with another couple, basically stuffing 5 people in an suv for 4 adults. We stopped by to check out the suvs at their lot. They would fit 5 skinny teens. Rather than risk my wife’s health. I had to cancel. They refused to give a refund even though they changed our trip at the last minute. We have had many trips with Viator. Our trip on Monday in Monument Valley was one of the best experiences of our lives. I would recommend Viator to quit using this company.
From $400.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Canyonlands National Park Needles District by 4x4
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