Elephant Hill
Elephant Hill is a hard 10 miles off-road trail near Canyonlands NP, UT, best run March - October. The gear list marks 33"+ all-terrain tires, 3"+ lift kit, 4WD with low range and Rear locker as required, and Winch as recommended. Stock trucks and Jeeps are not recommended without the required build parts.
Trail Conditions
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Elephant Hill is Canyonlands National Park's legendary 4WD road, featuring some of the tightest and steepest switchbacks you'll encounter anywhere. The 10-mile trail (each way) begins innocently enough before revealing its namesake challenge: a series of carved-rock switchbacks so tight that full-size vehicles must make multiple multi-point turns to navigate them. Beyond the hill lies a network of trails accessing spectacular slot canyons, Native American rock art, and the famous Confluence Overlook where the Green and Colorado Rivers meet. This is destination overlanding at its finest, combining serious technical driving with profound natural beauty.
Fun Facts
The trail's infamous switchbacks were carved by uranium prospectors in the 1950s.
Elephant Hill is located in Canyonlands' Needles District, named for the colorful banded rock spires.
The original road was built wide enough for Jeeps but nothing larger, and it remains that way today.
Some switchbacks require multiple three-point turns for full-size vehicles.
🛞 Tires
🔧 Suspension
⚙️ Drivetrain
🪢 Recovery
🛡️ Protection
📦 Other
Closest campgrounds to Elephant Hill:
- The Needles District Group Campsites · Moab · 1 mi (straight-line)
- The Needles Campground · Moab · 1 mi (straight-line)
- Island in the Sky (Willow Flat) Campground · Moab · 17 mi (straight-line)
Straight-line distance. Check the map for drive time.
GPS Coordinates
Import into Gaia GPS, OnX Offroad, or Garmin
Map of Canyonlands NP, UT
5-Day Forecast
Nearby Trails
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
This trail rewards preparation. Run these tools before you load up, the numbers matter.
Tire Size Calculator
Convert tire sizes and compare diameter differences before you swap.
Running 35s or 37s? Confirm fitment and sidewall height before you go.
Gear Ratio Calculator
Find the right gear ratio after lifting or upsizing tires.
Low-range crawl ratio is everything on technical terrain, calculate yours first.
Wheel Fitment Calculator
Calculate backspacing and offset so wider wheels clear your suspension.
Extra wheel width = extra clearance on tight lines. Check offset before buying.
MPG Calculator
Estimate fuel economy after a tire upgrade, important for remote runs.
Bigger tires cut MPG. Plan your fuel stops for this trail.
Trail Matchmaker
Not sure this trail matches your rig's current build? Find out fast.
Answer 6 questions and confirm Elephant Hill is right for your setup, or find a better match.