Indian Creek

Fascinating history, climbs and awe-inspiring views

Indian Creek, a unit of Bears Ears National Monument, is known as a rock climbing mecca. Whether you get up on the wall or decide to drive, it's easy to appreciate the scenery from a lower vantage point as you cruise the 41-mile state scenic byway.

Things to Do

Scenic Byway
Drive Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway (S.R. 211)., which connects to The Needles District of Utah's largest national park, Canyonlands. Plan time to stop at the Needles Outpost and Newspaper Rock. Utilize the picnic area just across the highway from the petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock for a bit of relaxation.

Photography
While the hiking trails in the area mostly lead to top climbing sites, they may be worth exploring for unique vantage points over the area. But Indian Creek often welcomes a different breed of videographer, one who scales cracks up sheer rock walls to capture intrepid climbers in one of America's rock climbing meccas.

Camping
The Indian Creek Falls camping area and Canyonlands' The Needles District are considered more rugged and remote than the more popular Island in the Sky District in Canyonlands. To the north (near Moab), there are a couple of very family-friendly hikes and a campground (advance reservations highly recommended, though there are some first-come, first-served sites).

While there are also BLM campsites on Indian Creek National Monument, these campsites are popular with climbers, are primitive and amenities are few or very basic. Out of respect for private land and public land with grazing rights, climbers follow Leave No Trace ethics and keep pets on-leash around livestock and ranch personnel.

Fees

There are no fees or permits required to visit Newspaper Rock or to drive the Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway through Indian Creek National Monument, national park fees are required to enter Canyonlands National Park.

The area is open year-round, and the best times to visit are March through late-May and September through October. Feel free to bring your dog, but most places require furry friends to remain on-leash.

Explore Nearby

Newspaper Rock State Historic Site

Canyonlands National Park

Edge of the Cedars Museum

Shash Jaa

Touring the Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway

by Kristen Pope

Driving down Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway en route to The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park isn’t just a way to get to the park. Exploring the byway is an adventure in itself with a fascinating history, awe-inspiring views and plenty of worthy stops along the way.

Travel Advisory

Visitors traveling to the areas surrounding of Bears Ears National Monument should be aware that the designation of monument status has not allowed for the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to develop their management plan, nor create new services or facilities. Please review our travel advisory.