The best section of Canyonlands National Park for hikers is The Needles. No question.
…named after the red and white banded rock pinnacles which dominate it but various other forms of naturally sculptured rock like canyons, grabens, potholes, and a number of arches similar to the ones of the nearby Arches National Park can be found as well.
Unlike Arches National Park, however, where many arches are accessible by short to moderate hikes or even by car, most of the arches in the Needles district lie in backcountry canyons and take long hikes or four-wheel-drive trips to reach.
Canyonlands National Park – Wikipedia
Of 60mi (96km) of great trails, the most popular section of the Needles is Chesler Park, a lovely grassy valley surrounded by colourful sandstone spires.
larger image – flickr
I was lucky to get one of the 5 backcountry Chesler Park tent sites (CP5) and accessed it from the Elephant Hill trailhead.
NPS map
From there I dayhiked the astonishing Joint Trail. It’s a “mountain” that split leaving a fracture just wide enough for a hiker (sideways at some points). Is there no end of natural marvels in this part of the world?
The highlight for me personally was a late afternoon trail run to Druid Arch. Late, scrambling the steep slope up to the view point, I was blown away by the size and location of this wonderful mass of stone.
I got lost on the run back to my tent, arriving an hour after dark.
If I went back to the Needles, I would do Salt Creek from Cathedral Butte to Peekaboo via Angel Arch. Likely 3 days, 24.2m (39km), a wonderful canyon walk with permanent water.
I’d need a high clearance vehicle to get to the trailhead. Or would hire a shuttle vehicle in Moab.
Angel Arch – Bob’s Arches
photos from my 2007 hike – flickr
besthike.com 
Nice report. I’m thinking about doing this same hike in late march. Went to Canyonlands last October and have been dying to go back ever since. I really enjoyed your pictures. Thanks!