---
id: "2015"
name: Indian Creek Scenic Byway
distance: "49"
duration: Allow 1 hour to drive or 1 day to explore.
description: Beginning fourteen miles north of Monticello, this scenic byway travels west from US-191 to Newspaper Rock and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.
path:
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organization:
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/needles.htm
    name: Canyonlands National Park the Needles
websites:
  - url: https://www.thearmchairexplorer.com/utah/indian-creek-corridor-scenic-byway.php
    name: The Armchair Explorer
  - url: https://www.utah.com/things-to-do/scenic-drives/indian-creek-scenic-drive/
    name: Utah.com Travel Site
  - url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_State_Route_211
    name: Wikipedia
attractions:
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/big-spring-canyon-overlook-and-trailhead.htm
    name: Big Spring Canyon Overlook and Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/cany-cave-spring.htm
    name: Cave Spring Trailhead
  - url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Rock_(Utah)
    name: Church Rock
  - url: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/1838113259
    name: Confluence Overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/druid-arch-trail.htm
    name: Druid Arch Trail
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/elephant-hill-access-road-the-needles.htm
    name: "Elephant Hill Access Road: The Needles Overlook"
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/needlesroads.htm
    name: Elephant Hill Trail 4WD
  - url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_of_Truth,_Utah
    name: Home of Truth
  - url: https://www.blm.gov/visit/indian-creek-bears-ears-national-monument
    name: Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/needlesroads.htm
    name: Lavender Canyon Road 4WD
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/scenic-drive-picnic-area-life-in-the-balance.htm
    name: Life in the Balance Picnic Area
  - url: https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/2273572009
    name: Needles Campground B Loop Road
  - url: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/newspaper-rock
    name: Newspaper Rock
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/pothole-point.htm
    name: Pothole Point Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/needlesroads.htm
    name: Salt Creek Road 4WD
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/slickrock-trail.htm
    name: Slickrock Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/stone-storehouse-trail.htm
    name: Stone Storehouse Trailhead
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/needles.htm
    name: The Needles Visitor Center
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/wooden-shoe-arch-overlook-wooden-shoe-arch.htm
    name: Wooden Shoe Arch Overlook
  - url: https://www.nps.gov/places/wooden-shoe-to-lost-canyon-loop-trail.htm
    name: Wooden Shoe Canyon to Lost Canyon Loop
designations:
  - Utah State Scenic Byway
  - Park Scenic Drive
states:
  - UT
ll:
  - -109.3502554111707
  - 38.07425949524284
bounds:
  - - -109.82754425972104
    - 37.988411
  - - -109.345226
    - 38.17939141567368

---

Beginning fourteen miles north of Monticello, this scenic byway travels west from US-191 to Newspaper Rock and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park.

The Needles forms the southeast corner of Canyonlands and was named for the colorful spires of Cedar Mesa Sandstone that dominate the area. Hiking trails offer many opportunities for long day hikes and overnight trips. Foot trails and four-wheel-drive roads lead to such features as Tower Ruin, Confluence Overlook, Elephant Hill, the Joint Trail, and Chesler Park.

About 50 miles of challenging backcountry roads lead to campsites, trailheads, and many natural and cultural features. All of these roads require high-clearance, low range four-wheel-drive vehicles. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt these roads.

The first part of the scenic drive passes the Indian Creek Special Recreation Management that contains the northern portion of Bears Ears National Monument. Indian Creek has something to offer everybody: rock climbers come to test their skills on world-class crack climbing routes, bird watchers scan high cliffs for Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcons, and photographers seek to capture the moment when late afternoon light illuminates canyons in a vibrant red. Whether you stop at Newspaper Rock for a few minutes or stay at one of Indian Creek’s three established campgrounds, you are sure to find something in this magnificent landscape that speaks to you.