Monticello and Blanding are located on highway 191 south of Moab. Both towns have adequate services- gas, food, coffee, internet, motels, and visitor's centers. Visit our Desert Links page for more on services in both towns. There is plenty to see in this part of Utah and either of these towns would make a good base for a few days of exploring.

The Needles Overlook is accessed via road 133, off Highway 191 south of La Sal Junction and Wilson and Lopez arches. The road is clearly marked and there is an information kiosk right near the highway. This road passes through BLM lands that provide some great hiking and backpacking in little-visited canyons. Peruse maps of the area and you will find plenty of isolated hiking and backpacking destinations and beautiful canyons to explore.

Further down Highway 191, towards Monticello, is the turnoff for State Route 211 and access to the Needles District and Newspaper Rock. There is no charge for visiting Newspaper Rock. There are toilets and picnic tables there. At the end of the road is the park entrance where a fee is collected. Be sure to look into reservations for either camping or backpacking during late spring through early fall as this is a destination for many.

  Newspaper Rock showing pictographs from over 2000 years of visits.