The Landscape

In southeastern Utah, near the town of Moab, Canyonlands National Park protects wide swaths of incredible desert landscapes. With the Colorado River flowing down into Cataract Canyon, and the world-famous Indian Creek area nearby, the Needles District of Canyonlands is remote and beautiful. Known for its colorful sandstone spires that rise sharply from the desert floor, the Needles is a backpacker’s heaven with plenty of solitude to be found among narrow canyons, open slickrock, and expansive desert views. Sweeping expanses of sandstone fill visitors with a sense of awe and scale.

The National Park Service manages the backcountry—areas away from developed roads and facilities—primarily on foot. Rangers conduct overnight patrols to dispersed campsites to monitor visitor use and protect fragile natural and cultural resources. This volunteer project seeks to support that effort, helping to preserve the wild character of the Needles District and ensure it remains pristine and natural for future generations.

The Work

On this project, volunteers will backpack into the Needles District of Canyonlands and assist agency staff in maintaining remote campsites. Volunteers will remove charcoal and fire ring impacts, and assist in installing signage that delineates backpacking campsites.

Volunteers will:

• Backpacking for multiple days in the remote backcountry
• Installing educational signage
• Removing fire rings

All work tools will be provided, including gloves, eye protection, and ear-protection. Volunteers will be trained on tool use.

Volunteers Needed: (6)
Project Lead: TBD 
Contact: volunteer@suwa.org

Itinerary
A general itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers in a Welcome Letter, which volunteers receive upon acceptance into the project.

• Wednesday, November 4 – Friday, November 6

This project is in development and dates will be added as details are confirmed.

Project Rating 

Strenuous – This project involves backpacking in the remote backcountry. Anticipate backpacking with your personal gear as well as hiking out trash found at worksites. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the project lead for this trip to see if this project is a good fit for you. 

All projects take place outdoors: Please consider your comfortability working in remote landscapes at varying elevations and under variable weather conditions. Our team strives to ensure that all projects provide meaningful work for volunteers of all abilities. Please reach out to the Project Lead if you have questions or concerns.

Camping & Meals

Specific location of camping site(s) will be provided in the Welcome Letter sent to registered volunteers. For backpacking trips, volunteers and agency staff will typically backpack into the work area, and then base camp for the remainder of the project, day hiking to work sites.

Volunteers will need to provide all their own backpacking camping gear, as well as their own meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for this trip.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Participants are responsible for their own food, water, and camping gear as well as transportation to and from the project site(s). Volunteers should plan to be away from camp all day each of the work days. A recommended packlist will be sent along with the project Welcome Letter (4) weeks prior to the start date. If camping gear is a barrier to your attendance, please reach out to the Project Lead to discuss options.

Registration & Acceptance Timeline

A 2026 General Volunteer Application is required for this project.

• Once we have received your application, you will receive a confirmation email within (5) working days of submission.
• We log all applications until (8) weeks prior to the project. At this point, you will first receive an email confirming whether you have been placed on the“project roster” or a “waitlist.” If you are selected for the project roster, you will then complete a Volunteer Agreement.
• At (4) weeks before the project start date, registered and confirmed participants will receive a Welcome Letter with a comprehensive itinerary, including: driving instructions, a Project Map for mobile devices (when applicable), a notification about carpools and/or caravans, and any additional information pertinent to the project.
• Within (2) weeks of the project you will receive a direct call from the Project Lead to answer any additional questions you may have.
• Individuals on the waitlist will be contacted if space opens due to cancellation within (2) weeks of the project start date.

If you have any questions at any point throughout the process, please do not hesitate to contact us here.

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