Dead Horse Point State Park
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This is a very beautiful State Park with gorgeous views and overlooks, but it does have a sad history. I don't know the exact story, but for whatever reason, a LOT of horses, I want to say over 100, were forced onto what is now the main overlook in the park, and corralled onto the point, with no means of escape. There, they were left to starve and die of thirst, cruelly, overlooking a river that they couldn't get to. Today, the overlook looks down upon a plateau that, if one looks close enough, contains a sort of rock formation in the shape of a horse. Incidentally, the Mission: Impossible 2 opening scene, where Tom Cruise is rock climbing, was filmed in the park. The park is easily accessible off the main road to Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district), and is also very near Arches. We only spent a few hours here, but depending on what activities you want to do, you could easily spend an entire day. 53/2024
This should be part of Canyonlands National Park, it's so close and the Colorado River meanders through. The gift shop has a free little gallery to see artifacts and read about the history of this place. It's called Dead Horse State Park because the legend states horses were corralled at the top of the canyon. The cowboys would select the horses they wanted, leaving the unwanted horses to die overlooking the Colorado River.
Epic views into the canyon! Really close to Canyonlands NP, so it's easy to visit both during your trip. The visitor center has a very large parking lot that is also the starting point for some trails- very convenient. They also have some nice picnic areas. You can really choose your own adventure here- we hiked around 5-6 miles around the rim, and others drove to the viewpoints. Take lots of panoramic pictures!
This park is awesome. Small and quaint and much quieter than its neighbor. Easy to quickly find spots of solace and see that it is cared for and that people love visiting. Can't really lose driving out to the viewpoint. Incredible views of the river. We also went to Canyonlands and they were both beautiful. We camped in Dead Horse and also spent a day in Arches. We were busy! Camped two nights at Wingate and overall this was a great experience. This campground is incredibly well cared for. The site had been cleaned and the ground raked. The table was spotless. The restrooms are clean as well. There is ice and wood available at the visitors center. No showers. We stayed in a tent only site and I recommend bringing a wagon that can handle gravel to help move gear for the very short walk. There are three sets of bathrooms. One had running water,toilets and a dish station. One was pit toilets. Shade is provided. Hit or miss which direction it faces for the time of day/sun exposure. There was no view of the canyon from our site. I wouldn't go into the trip expecting one. Sunset at the viewpoint was epic- especially facing east to see the sun casting shadows on the canyon below. This is the desert so expect cacti around the site and to stay out of the sand/surrounding area. Not lots of space for our kids to play which is a minor item to note.
Most important thing is is it worth seeing? The answer is absolutely if you come in this area this has to be on the list. The views you see with very little walking or just spectacular. We've been to this area a couple times and had no idea this park existed or how cool it was. It's very close to canyonland and I'd say it's similar to Canyonland, but you can see the river. There is a fee and your National Park past is not cover it but it is good for 2 days and well worth the cost. It was hot for a fall early October and my asthma was acting up so we didn't do a whole lot of trails. There are two trails at the Welcome Center that are short and great views we did those. Then we just stopped at all the overlooks I could have definitely spent more time, but we only had two days in the area to see arches Canyonland and this park. I'd say arches is the most popular Park in the area but between the two national parks and this park arches is my least favorite. As with all the areas in the West the lighting and the colors change so much throughout the day it's a photographer's dream. def take camera, hat, comfy shoes, sunscreen. water and snacks. we bring collapsible cooler so bevies are cold. cell service is hit or miss several places out west so be prepared to navigate old school.
We love the beautiful vistas and visited the Mesa Arch to try and catch the sunrise. It was cloudy and rainy so we weren't able to see the arch light up as we had hoped but it was still beautiful. Love the Moenkopi yurts and their isolated location inside Dead Horse State Park. Very peaceful and quiet. We rented Moenkopi Yurt #2,3, and #4. All the yurts were roomy and clean. The AC units worked well to cool down the yurts in the afternoon heat. We even used the gas grill outside on the patio to grill some pork chops. Worked perfectly. There are 5 individual restrooms with flushing toilets and running water in the sink. There is a large sink outside for cleaning pots and pans. A storm hit the evening we were there and lasted until the next morning. It was noisy with the canvas flapping against the frame but everything was secured and the yurts did not budge an inch. We were nice and cozy inside.
This was a beautiful state park, and a perfect stop on the way back to Moab. There is a beautiful visitor center with friendly staff, and it's a short drive out to a beautiful look out, and a really nice 1 mile paved walking walk with great views, great for a short walk after Canyonlands! Definitely don't skip it!
Absolutely breathtaking and terrifying at the same time. My partner and I brought our two huskies to Dead Horse Point in the winter, which made us especially cautious about slipping on ice. Quick entry into the state park (paying the $20 fee at the gate) probably because there was no crowd. Parking was easy. Great maps to inform which trails to take. My boy husky and I are scared of heights, so we didn't get too close to the edge (good practice in life) but got lots of photos of the vast landscape. Plenty of rocks to scramble up. There's a restroom and picnic areas. Fantastic place to spend a few hours when it's not freezing. Checked it off my list and will opt for exploring other areas of Moab next time I'm around.
After hiking Arches, it was so interesting to drive to Dead Horse on flat land. Only when you get to the ranger station do you see the canyon and it makes it even more breathtaking than expected. We did not get to spend a lot of time here but we did have lunch on the rim and appreciated the information about 285 million years of land dropping before us. This is a wonderful place for easy trails, all ages and abilities. Leave not trace and take your garbage out with you.
Do not pass this up if you're visiting the other parks in Moab. I promise you, you will be glad that you came. The drive is unassuming, but the end result is breathtaking. The views and hues are incredible and unlike anything I've seen. We decided to head out early for sunrise and had the place all to ourselves. Unfortunately, it was too overcast and we didn't get to see it. Was it totally worth getting up early and having complete peace and quiet? Absolutely. Granted, there's not much to do, so if you're short on time you can cruise through this park and still enjoy some of it's main attractions. I suggest doing the short nature trail loop and the dead horse point overlook. The overlook is incredible and comparative to the Grand Canyon. Pictures do not do this place justice. You have to see it in person to really capture the beauty and natural made structures. I'm so glad that we carved out some time to visit this park because it's stunning!
This place is an often overlooked destination when you come to Moab due to the big national parks nearby. However, this place is so worth a stop!!! First of all, the mountain biking is so much fun and they actually have beginner and intermediate trails! We had so much fun out on these trails with some first time mountain bikers and I'd highly recommend it. SO FUN! The trails were not crowded at all which made it laid back and enjoyable. Plus you can go to the Dead Horse Overlook Point which is gorgeous. All the trails in this area offer spectacular viewpoints. This is a state park so your national park passes do not get you in for free! But currently it's only $15 per vehicle and the pass is good for three days. Check their website for the most up to date info! read more
6 years ago
Beautiful view. $20 gets you a pass for three days. We got some grub from the food trucks in Moab and drove up for the sunset and stayed to see the stars. I wished I would've had my camera to take a long exposure of all the stars... if you wait for it to get dark enough and let your eyes adjust, you can see the Milky Way!! So cool. The view was perfect. read more
3 years ago
17 years ago
Dead Horse Point is a must see if you are in Moab, and Moab is a really beautiful and fun place to go so hopefully at some point you will find yourself in this lovely canyon town. The larger national parks nearby probably steal most of the attention away from this gem, but the lack of other visitors is part of the attraction. The gorgeous canyon cut by the Colorado features a back drop of reds and oranges that rival the Grand Canyon. The reason I would recommend Dead Horse Point over nearby Canyonlands is that it's much more easily accessible by car, they allow dogs on leashes, and it's only $10 per day vehicle. There are plenty of good viewpoints right off the road, and a nice fairly flat hike right behind the visitors center. The ranger and visitor center are on par with the other parks in the area, very knowledgeable and full of information and cool souvenirs. There is also some interesting folklore behind Dead Horse Point: a legend that a group of Mustangs was rounded up and abandoned here by some cowboys and the horses died of thirst and hunger. Dead Horse was also the canyon featured in Thelma and Louise. read more
A $10 well spent. This detour was worth every penny of the $10 per car entrance fee. We were visiting Arches and Canyonlands when we stumbled upon this park. I knew nothing about it, so I didn't know what to expect. I only spent a few hours here, which is enough time to check out some vista points and snap lots of pictures. This park is smaller than Arches and Canyonlands and can easily be visited in a day. The views are spectacular. From above, you get a perfect, vast view of the meandering Colorado River. The canyons beneath are carved from the flowing River into U shapes that wind throughout the expansive land. In the center of the River are different size plateaus, some big, while others are the size of columns. There are also hoodoos in the canyon. From atop, we see how the River has created this unique land and how erosion has arbitrarily deposited soil inland. Looking down, I get a sense of calm and peace as I try and picture this land millions of years ago. If you have a few hours, I definitely recommend that you visit Dead Horse Point State Park. It's absolutely worth your time and make for fantastic pictures that you can blow to hang on your wall. read more
5 years ago
7 years ago
Nice stop for a few hours in the afternoon and to watch the sun set. We walked the short trail around the visitors center then heading to Dead Horse Point for sunset. The views are amazing and the park was very enjoyable. Bring a packed lunch or snacks to enjoy while taking in the scenery. read more
This is a State Park about 14 miles east of Canyonland National Park. It doesn't take all day to see Canyonland and I recommend driving the wide paved road and paying the $10 car entrance fee to spend a couple of hours here. Your fee is good for a visit back for the next 3 days to the park. This is one of the better maintained state parks. They have nice picnic grounds and shaded areas from the sun. The view is gorgeous and one visitor from Colorado told me she thought it was better and more pristine than the Grand Canyon because it is not so run over. You can see the Colorado River and in the distance blue areas of water. I inquired later at the Visitor Center on our way out what those ponds of water were and was told they were mining for potash to use as fertilizer. There is an east view and a west view. Be sure you look at both ends. The Colorado River gets water from the Rocky Mountains and in years past there has been drought and the river level has declined. This water source is a precious commodity as it serves the southwest US including cities of LA, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Lake Mead of Hoover Dam and farms and dairies. Don't waste it when you are visiting. Right next to the Visitor Center is a food kiosk. They sell coffee, snacks, pastries and coffee/beverages. The Visitors Center is small with retail on the bottom and educational stuff upstairs. There are flushing toilets and sinks in the "real" bathrooms here so you can actually your hands after visiting the outhouses at the national park. read more
5 years ago
11 years ago
Why do you come to Utah? I bet you've seen the picture of DEAD HORSE POINT some magazine like National Geo before and made this place one of your bucket list. I am here now and checked MY bucket list . It looked just like the magazine pic and so much more to offer! This is outdoor country and I LOVE IT read more
5 years ago
8 years ago
We were camping at Horsethief Campgrounds and since it was so close to the entrance of Dead Horse Point State Park we thought we should check it out. We went in the early morning hours in hopes of beating anyone else up. We were visiting during the winter in the beginning of January. When we headed to the park it was only 3*. So it was chilly to say the least. Our goal was to find a beautiful overlook and watch the sunrise. Let me tell you what, it was the most beautiful overlook and sunrise I have ever experienced in my life. We were the only people there. We were able to experience the sunrise in complete peace taking in all this natural beauty. It was a moment that I will forever cherish. I was so happy that we decided to stop in to Dead Horse. If you happen to be in the area visiting Arches or Canyonlands, make a note that the sunrises at Dead Horse Point State Park are incredible. read more
10 years ago
We had planned on making the trek to this park which was only a 40 minute drive from our hotel in Moab and we're sure glad we did. The views this park has to offer start from the minute you arrive to the visitors center. There you will find a tiny little coffee shack to get pepped up for the hike. There's a small little trail that you can start with just behind the visitors center. This trail meets up with the others forming one larger beautiful loop that wraps around the cliffs edge. Be sure to load up on water and sunscreen. There were biking trails as well but we didn't have a chance to do it all. The hike was great! There were campsites here that looked awesome. With grills, tables, and super clean bathrooms provided all for very little money. Hope to camp here sometime soon. read more
13 years ago
8 years ago
8 years ago
Worth the stop if you are in the Canyonland area! Actually, we liked it better than canyonlands. Rather small, but no crowds & unique views. Also fun to learn about the legend of how Dead horse got it's name. Small fee, not covered by the national park pass. read more
If you are looking for a quieter park near Moab this one might fit the bill. Canyonlands Park is near Dead Horse so I recommend hitting both parks the same day. There's a visitor's center at Dead Horse. The espresso bar didn't have the best espresso and on top of it, it was expensive so we won't be making that mistake getting that again. Amazing views walking along the rim of the canyon. read more
9 years ago
Beautiful overlook with various walks to get different views. I spent about 1 hour here, that can be give or take your agenda. I visited the arches and dead horse in one day. It's a must if your near the national parks/moab area read more
11 years ago
Absolutely amazing views...ones that you won't forget for a long time! The ranger was really nice in the visitor center and the trails led to absolutely stunning vistas. This is a must stop while on a visit to the Moab area! read more
10 years ago
Went to see the sunset at Dead Horse Point State Park. AWESOME! There is parking at the lookout point over looking a river canyon, very impressive. The sunset was beautiful and the lighting for pictures was excellent. Well worth the trip from the busy nature of the more popular national parks. One positive note was that the Utah State parks allow dogs on the trail, - a distance of 7 miles one way. You can also camp at Dear Horse and there are several sheltered picnic sites. Dead Horse is a great low key visit when in Moab read more
10 years ago
One of the most stunning areas in southern Utah. When I first walked close to the edge I was overwhelmed with vertigo. There is a great hike, however, the full walk was a bit much. Nonetheless, it was worth every moment. read more
10 years ago
Sunset at its best in Moab! We planned to watch sunset at this Dead Horse point and it was splendid. The 360 degree view of that area was more than just awesome. Specially with the red hues of the setting sun, the rocks looked dramatic. At a glance, the scenery was similar to the Grand Canyon, but with a grand horse shoe bend in the Colorado, its a spectacular view in its own right. Its not a very crowded place, so you can sit there and enjoy the sunset peacefully. We really loved this place. read more
7 years ago
10 years ago
Stopped by on the way to Arches National Park near sunset, amazing scenery personally like it better than Grand Canyon. Could see Canyonland and Colorado river, even some rains and fogs made the scene more memorable. FYI, bathrooms are very clean too :) read more
15 years ago
6 years ago
5 years ago
8 years ago
This is one of the most spectacular and beautiful viewpoints of Canyonlands and Colorado River to explore. Not only the drive up there is breathtaking, but also the cliffs and history about this State Park give you a glimpse about the American West. We went already three time and never got enough of this place. Entrance fee is only $10 and is as amazing and special as any National Park. read more
13 years ago
We missed this last year, but fortunately knew better this time. The National Parks pass doesn't work here, but it's definitely worth the $10 entrance fee. The views are amazing, the story interesting. The park staff is also very friendly and helpful. And hey, how many park brochures tell you that there is a geocache on the premises?:) A must-see place for sure! read more
8 years ago
More info about Dead Horse Point State Park
313 State Rt
Moab, UT 84532
Directions
(435) 259-2614
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https://utahstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/dead-horse-point-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=UT&parkId=344161
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Ask the Community - Dead Horse Point State Park
How far is the hike to get to the top to see the view?
Very short. You can take a loop if you want, but the main view is just a walk from a parking lot.
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Dead Horse Point State Park - hiking - Updated July 2026
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