Elephant Hill

4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Monticello, Utah (SanJuan County)
Last Updated: 01/04/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Desert
Iconic
Overland
Rock
Sand
Wash
The Elephant Hill off-road trail takes you deep into the interior of the otherworldly scenery that lays within the Needles District in Canyonlands National Park. Some call it one of the most technical routes in all of Utah, which may or may not be true depending on your driving skills. Without question, though, is that this trail has some of the most amazing scenery and solitude in the area accessible by four-wheel drive. Along the route, you are immersed in the thousands of the colorful sandstone spires that come up from the desert floor, washes, cliff edges, and narrow slot canyons. The road over Elephant Hill was originally built in the early 1940s by a man named Puge Stocks, to improve the cattle grazing activity in the area. Several small airstrips were also built in the area after the road was finished, so light airplanes could service the ranching operations. Although it is not visible today, one of the runways was near the road on the top of Elephant Hill! Only twenty-four day-use permits are allowed per day for this trail, so be sure to plan appropriately. This is also a Jeep Badge of Honor Trail.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

The route described in this guide is from the parking lot, out to "The Joint", then back. The main Elephant Hill trail connects you to "Devils Lane", which you can take to reach Beef Basin and make a multi-day trip. This route is an out and back returning the way you came in. This off-road trail will take you up and down some very steep grades and tight switchbacks. While the rock has extreme grip, good driving skills and knowing your vehicle's capabilities will be required. The toughest portion of the trail is the very first mile where you go up and over the actual Elephant Hill with one of the switchbacks requiring driving in reverse for a few vehicle lengths in distance. From this point forward the road is dirt, sand, or slick rock, and has several obstacles along the way. Longer wheelbase vehicles could have to take extra care in navigating over the obstacles at SOB Hill. For road condition status: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/road-conditions.htm

Trail Reviews

4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 03/19/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

As others have mentioned, this is one of the best trails in Moab! I definitely plan to do again and camp next time. All of the backcountry camp sites looked amazing.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 03/13/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Easily one of the best trails in the Moab area. Just unbelievable views throughout the entire trip. Definitely some technical aspects and you defiantly will need a good spotter to help you through some of the obstacles. Its roughly 80 mile one way from Moab to the visitor center at the Needles District. Plan on a full day for this trail. We enjoyed this trail very much!!!
Official Crew
106250
Open
Visited: 01/04/2023

The weather closure is now lifted.
Official Crew
106250
Temporary Closure
Visited: 12/22/2022

Closed temporarily due to ice.
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 10/05/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

We camped at the Horsehoof campsite two nights. The best campsite in Canyonlands IMO. Photos attached. I do not have much to say about the trail other than if your vehicle is outfitted correctly, the trail can be made easy. My FJ Cruiser is not equipped to render the trail "easy" but it is equipped to get through okay. That's the fun of it - challenges. I got through the Squeeze and SOB Hill fine in my FJ but it took my buddy a few back and forths to get through. While he was making his maneuvers in his Toyota Tundra, we let a caravan of jeeps roll through, and by roll through, I mean they rolled across those boulders in the Squeeze like they were pebbles. Of course, they were lifted with 40" tires. Being properly equipped makes all of the difference.

From the Community

Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail guide
Start Free Trial