Roadside Ruin
Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, UtShort and Sweet, Kid Friendly, and Educational
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 7 ft
Approximate Hiking Time: 20 min
Features: Granary
Nearest Town: Monticello, Ut
Roadside Ruin is an introductory trail to the Needles area of Canyonlands. On it you’ll see a granary and get a feel for the different plant life that calls the Needles home. It’s also a super short and easy trail with great opportunities to learn along the way. Don’t forget to pick up a brochure at the start of the hike!
- Trail Condition 100%
- Usage 100%
- Trail Head Easy to Find 100%
- Kid Friendly 100%
Hike Highlights
1. Granary
A very well preserved example of an ancient Puebloan granary can be seen on this trail.
2. Short and Sweet
This hike is a great one for the whole family. It’s short, flat, and easy with only a few steps.
3. Educational
Pick up a brochure at the beginning of the hike and follow the signs that are posted around the hike to learn more about the flora in the Needles District.
Hike Overview
Trailhead Directions
Roadside Ruin 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 from the Visitor Center for 0.5 miles until you reach the Roadside Ruin trailhead on the left.
Hike Details
The Roadside Ruin trail makes a big circle from the trailhead to the granary and back to the trailhead. It can be done in either direction, it just changes whether you read the pamphlet top to bottom or bottom to top.
If you are interested in learning more about the desert flora we highly recommend grabbing one of the pamphlets at the trailhead and taking time to read it along the trail. This is a great activity for kids who may want to “teach” you as you make your way around the trail.
The granary is located about 0.18miles from the trailhead. There is a fence at the viewpoint to prevent people from climbing in and out of it and possibly causing damage, but it’s easy to see from the viewpoint.
From the granary continue on the trail returning to the trailhead.
Why is this hike easy?
There is virtually no elevation change and it’s short. It’s more of an easy walk rather than a hike and is great for everyone in the family.
More to Choose From: Hike-Utah!
Check out this and more hikes in Canyonlands National Park.
Big Spring – Squaw Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, Ut
Big Spring Squaw Canyon trail takes you across the open canyon bottom and over a steep slick rock pass as you climb in and out of the canyons.
Cave Spring Trail, Canyonlands National Park, Ut
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Length: 0.1 – 0.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 7 – 60 ft
Hike Cave Spring Trail to visit a historic cowboy camp, pictographs, and Cave Spring on this short hike.
Pothole Point, Canyonlands National Park, Ut
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 36 ft
Pothole Point trail heads to a series of potholes which are an abundant source of life in the desert.