Pothole Point
Needles, Canyonlands National Park, UtShort and Sweet, Kid Friendly, and Nature Lovers
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 36 ft
Approximate Hiking Time: 20-60 min
Features: Desert Potholes
Nearest Town: Monticello, Ut
Potholes are an abundant source of life in the desert. On this hike you can see several of them and ponder what life would be like in the pool or maybe in the heat of the desert sun waiting for the next rain and snow….
- Trail Condition 95%
- Usage 100%
- Trail Head Easy to Find 100%
- Kid Friendly 100%
Hike Highlights
1. Potholes
Don’t step inside! Even when they are dry life carries on in these amazing desert pools.
2. Really Fun Hike
This hike is a great one for the whole family. It’s short, flat, and just plain old fun.
3. Landscape Views
The hike to Pothole Point has beautiful landscape views of the Needles District.
Hike Overview
Trailhead Directions
Pothole Point trail is located in the Needles District of Canyonlands located north of Monticello and south of Moab.
Take highway 191 north from Monticello until you reach UT-211. Turn left and follow the road to the Canyonlands entrance and visitor center. Continue to follow the park road for another 5 miles until you reach the Pothole Point trailhead on the left.
Hike Details
The beginning of the trail was a little confusing so head towards the rock rather than on what looks like a more well-worn path heading away from the rock. Cairns may be pretty spotty in this part of the trail and it’s apparent that a lot of people make the same mistake….
Continue to follow the rock cairns around the rock and out to the potholes. The path is better marked the further out you get and will eventually cross between the potholes themselves.
Just stay out of the them. Remember that even when they are dry life continues in these special and truly amazing ecosystems.
Once you are done exploring the potholes make your way back to the trailhead by following the cairns between the rocks.
Why is this hike easy?
There is not much elevation change on the trail and it’s relatively easy to navigate as long as you stay near the big rock. It’s a short, fun trail that’s great for everyone in the family!
More to Choose From: Hike-Utah!
Check out this and more hikes in Canyonlands National Park.
Upheaval Dome, Canyonlands National Park, Ut
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Length: 0.8-1.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 100-150 ft
Is Upheaval Dome caused by a meteor impact? A salt dome uplift? Or something else? We may never know, but we can still enjoy it!
Aztec Butte, Canyonlands National Park, Ut
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2 miles
Elevation Gain: 260 ft
The hike to Aztec Butte requires scrambling, but panoramic views of Island in the Sky treat the hikers who climb to the top and visit the granaries.