About Needle Rock ONA/ACEC
Needle Rock is an intrusive of rhyodacite volcanic plug located in the Needle Rock Natural Area, 3.5 miles east-northeast of the Town of Crawford in Delta County, Colorado, United States. It stands 800 feet tall above the floor of the Smith Fork of the Gunnison River valley. It originated as the throat of a large volcano about 28 million years ago in the Miocene geological epoch, when molten rock intruded between existing sedimentary rocks. The plug may represent the eroded conduit of a laccolith. There are private property parcels around the base, but there is a BLM trail that more or less rings the Needle.Needle Rock lies within the western edge of the West Elk Mountains in western central Colorado. It is the remnant of a volcanic plug that pushed up through the crust, and due to the relative hardness of the basalt of which it is made, has eroded significantly slower than the surrounding mancos shale and sandstone that makes up many of the rocks in the area. Needle Rock Trail is a 0.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Crawford, Colorado that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. For more information, please contact the Uncompahgre Field Office.
How to Get There
From I-70 in Glenwood Springs, take Hwy 82 south to Carbondale. Take Hwy 133 west to Hotchkiss. From the 133/92 intersection in Hotchkiss, take 92 SE to Crawford. In Crawford, take Dogwood Ave east out of town. Dogwood turns into Needlerock Road. Head east towards the Needle.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Needle Rock ONA/ACEC
Heading to Needle Rock ONA/ACEC? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Needle Rock ONA/ACEC?
No central reservation system listed for Needle Rock ONA/ACEC. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/16723) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Needle Rock ONA/ACEC?
From I-70 in Glenwood Springs, take Hwy 82 south to Carbondale. Take Hwy 133 west to Hotchkiss. From the 133/92 intersection in Hotchkiss, take 92 SE to Crawford. In Crawford, take Dogwood Ave east out of town. Dogwood turns into Needlerock Road. Head east towards the Needle.
How do I contact Needle Rock ONA/ACEC?
You can reach the park at phone: 970-240-5300.
References & Official Resources
