Utah state park featuring a dramatic overlook of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. The park covers 5,362 acres (2,170 ha) of high desert at an altitude of 5,900 feet (1,800 m) and has several overlooks, a visitor center, and picnic areas
Visitor Center Hours: 9am to 5pm
Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day
Utah Senior (Utah residents 65 or older): $15.00
Motorcycles: $10.00 per motorcycle
Bicycles, Motorcycles and Pedestrians: $4.00 per person
How to Get There
From Moab: Head west on E Center St toward N Main St. Turn right onto US-191 N/N Main St. Turn left onto UT-313 W. Turn left to stay on UT-313 W.
Overview
Dead Horse Point State Park is a state park of Utah, featuring a dramatic overlook of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. The park covers 5,362 acres (2,170 ha) of high desert at an altitude of 5,900 feet (1,800 m).
Amenities
The park has several overlooks, a visitor center, and picnic areas. The Kayenta Campground has 21 RV campsites with electricity and tent pads. The Wingate Campground features 4 yurts, 20 RV campsites and 11 hike-in tent-only sites. There are five additional yurts at the Moenkopi Yurt area. A coffee shop serves food and beverages.
Dead Horse Point State Park features an 8-mile (13 km) hiking trail that includes loops and overlooks on the East Rim Trail and the West Rim Trail. The Intrepid Trail System contains 17 miles of single-track mountain bike trails with loops of varying levels of difficulty. Bikes are also allowed single-file on paved roads.
In film
Dead Horse Point State Park appeared in the final scene in the 1991 film Thelma & Louise
Things to Do
Experience One of Utah's Most Iconic Canyon Country Views
Dead Horse Point State Park is famous for its breathtaking overlooks of the Colorado River and the dramatic canyon landscapes of southeastern Utah. Perched more than 2,000 feet above a bend in the river, the park offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views in the American Southwest and is often considered one of Utah's premier scenic destinations.
Visit the Dead Horse Point Overlook
The park's signature attraction is Dead Horse Point Overlook, where visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the Colorado River winding through deep red-rock canyons below. The overlook provides one of the most photographed vistas in Utah and is especially stunning at sunrise and sunset.
Explore Colorado Plateau Geology
The park showcases millions of years of geological history through its colorful layers of sandstone, shale, and rock formations. Visitors can learn about the natural forces that shaped the canyons, mesas, buttes, and cliffs of the Colorado Plateau.
Enjoy Scenic Photography and Sunrise Views
Dead Horse Point is a favorite destination for photographers. The changing light throughout the day illuminates the canyon walls and river below, creating vibrant displays of color that attract visitors from around the world.
Experience Mountain Biking and Outdoor Recreation
The park offers an extensive network of hiking and mountain biking trails that provide access to scenic overlooks, desert landscapes, and remote areas of the park. The nearby Moab region also makes Dead Horse Point a popular stop for adventurers exploring southeastern Utah.
Enjoy Exceptional Stargazing
As an International Dark Sky Park, Dead Horse Point offers outstanding opportunities for viewing the night sky. Visitors can experience brilliant displays of stars, planets, the Milky Way, and seasonal astronomical events in a setting with minimal light pollution.
Top Trails
East Rim Trail
Length: Approximately 5 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Approximately 200 feet
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
This scenic trail follows the eastern edge of the mesa and provides numerous viewpoints overlooking the Colorado River canyon system. It is ideal for hikers seeking expansive views and excellent photography opportunities.
West Rim Trail
Length: Approximately 4 miles one way
Elevation Gain: Approximately 300 feet
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
The West Rim Trail traverses the western side of the park and connects several overlooks. Visitors enjoy dramatic canyon scenery, desert vegetation, and wide-open vistas throughout the hike.
Bighorn Overlook Trail
Length: Approximately 1 mile round trip
Elevation Gain: Approximately 236 feet
Difficulty: Easy
This short trail leads to a scenic overlook where visitors can enjoy views of the Colorado River corridor and surrounding canyon country. Wildlife sightings, including desert bighorn sheep, occasionally occur in the area.
Dead Horse Point Overlook Trail
Length: Approximately 0.25 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
A short accessible path leads to the park's most famous viewpoint. The overlook offers unparalleled views of the Colorado River's dramatic bend and the towering canyon cliffs that define the landscape.
Sources: Utah State Parks official Dead Horse Point State Park information, including details on scenic overlooks, hiking and biking trails, camping, geology, recreation opportunities, and visitor amenities.
https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/
Additional information verified through Utah tourism resources covering Dead Horse Point Overlook, Colorado River canyon views, photography opportunities, dark sky programs, and outdoor recreation activities.
https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/dead-horse-point-state-park
Further trail and recreation information reviewed through Utah State Parks trail guides covering the East Rim Trail, West Rim Trail, Bighorn Overlook Trail, mountain biking routes, and scenic viewpoints throughout Dead Horse Point State Park.
https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Dead Horse Point State Park", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
