Hike the Cave Spring Loop in the Needles District

Moab, Utah

4.0/5

based on 1 reviews

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Distance

0.6 miles

Elevation Gain

35 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Lucas Bremer

A beautiful, remote section of Canyonlands, with a remarkable freshwater spring.

The Cave Spring Trail within Canyonlands National Park takes visitors past some well preserved pictographs and a cowboy camp complete with many original artifacts, all located in bluff "caves" below the overhanging cliffs of a low mesa.

The path later climbs to the top via a pair of wooden ladders and crosses a minor summit that affords an uninterrupted, 360 degree panorama of the Needles District of Canyonlands. The spring itself may feel ultra small to most, but this fresh water source has provided life to this desert for thousands of years.

The rock art is from the Fremont Culture, and dated around 1000 AD, while the camp is believed to have been established in 1890s in the early days of the Indian Creek Cattle Company. The camp was still in use until the 1960's when the National Park was created.

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Hike the Cave Spring Loop in the Needles District Reviews

Kyle C

Hike the Cave Spring Loop in the Needles District

12/10/20

This is a nice walk to explore various times in history along with great views of the towers and surrounding desert. This can be done in an hour or less if you are short on time.

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Hike the Cave Spring Loop in the Needles District

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Hike the Cave Spring Loop in the Needles District Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Camp at Squaw Flat Campground

Backpack to Chesler Park, Canyonlands NP

Hike Peekaboo Trail to Salt Creek Canyon

Joint Trail in the Canyonlands Needles District

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Hike the Confluence Overlook

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