Full Day Needles District 4x4 Tour

This full day Needles 4x4 Tour goes to a region of Canyonlands National Park which is, perhaps, one of the park's best-kept secrets. You will learn about the mystery surrounding the ancient Anasazi Pueblo people who inexplicably disappeared in approximately 1250 AD.

As you walk to the main points of interest you will see the amazing remnants of a long-gone culture, along with naturally sculpted arches and windows carved out of the rock over millions of years. Your adventure begins with a scenic journey by air-conditioned 4x4 into Canyonlands National Park, stopping en route to see a giant arch alongside the road, so big that daredevil pilots have flown airplanes through it.

Once in the park, the first part of your trip takes you past some fascinating historic sites such as the Home of Truth, a spiritual commune founded by pioneer Marie Ogden. You will also stop at Newspaper Rock, a large rock panel literally filled with ancient American Indian and cowboy inscriptions. Continuing on the scenic highway along Indian Creek, you will pass Dugout Ranch, a modern-day, ecologically sensitive cowboy operation. You will then begin your expedition down Salt Creek, where your guide will expertly negotiate the sandy creek bottom and twisting wash.

A trip up Horse Canyon takes you to two natural stone arches, Castle Arch and Paul Bunyan's Potty. Take a walk to more ancient Anasazi Indian rock art and several building ruins. Here you can participate in a couple of easy walks before stopping for a delicious lunch.

Finally, continue on to Peek-A-Boo Springs where you travel on foot to view more ancient petroglyphs and pictographs.