About Dead Horse Point State Park
 
 
 
- About Dead Horse Point State Park
 
Dead Horse Point State Park: A Hidden Gem in Utah

If you are looking for a scenic and adventurous destination in Utah, you might want to consider Dead Horse Point State Park. This park, located near Moab and Canyonlands National Park, offers stunning views of the Colorado River and the surrounding canyons, as well as hiking, biking, camping, and stargazing opportunities.

In this blog post, I will share with you some of the best things to do in Dead Horse Point State Park, as well as some tips and facts to help you plan your visit.

What is Dead Horse Point State Park?

Dead Horse Point State Park is a state park of Utah that features a dramatic overlook of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. The park covers 5,362 acres of high desert at an altitude of about 6,000 feet.

The park gets its name from a legend that cowboys used the narrow neck of land that connects the park to the mainland as a natural corral for wild mustangs. They would fence off the neck with branches and brush, leaving the horses trapped on the point. The cowboys would then select the best horses and leave the rest to die of thirst on the point.

The park was established in 1959 and has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park since 2016, meaning that it has exceptional quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, educational, cultural, heritage, and/or public enjoyment.

How to Get to Dead Horse Point State Park?

Dead Horse Point State Park is located about 33 miles (45 minutes) from Moab, Utah. To get there from Moab, take US-191 north for about 9 miles and then turn left onto UT-313. Follow UT-313 for about 23 miles until it ends at the park entrance.

The park is open year-round from 6 am to 10 pm. The entrance fee is $20 per vehicle for up to 8 people, valid for 2 days; $10 per motorcycle; or $10 if you bike-in or walk-in.

The park has a visitor center that is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. The visitor center has exhibits, a gift shop, restrooms, water, and WiFi.

What to Do in Dead Horse Point State Park?

There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Dead Horse Point State Park, depending on your interests and abilities. Here are some of the most popular ones:

- Enjoy the view from Dead Horse Point Overlook. This is the main attraction of the park and one of the most spectacular views in Utah. From the overlook, you can see the Colorado River winding through the deep canyons below, as well as the buttes and mesas of Canyonlands National Park in the distance. The overlook is accessible by car or by a short walk from the parking lot.
- Hike along the rim trails. The park has about 7 miles of hiking trails that follow the rim of the mesa and offer different perspectives of the landscape. The trails are easy to moderate and well-marked. Some of the most scenic trails are East Rim Trail (3 miles round trip), West Rim Trail (2.5 miles round trip), Big Horn Overlook Trail (1 mile round trip), and Basin Overlook Trail (0.5 mile round trip).
- Bike on the Intrepid Trail System. The park has 16.6 miles of singletrack mountain biking trails that range from easy to difficult. The trails are designed for riders of all skill levels and offer stunning views and challenges along the way. The easiest trail is Intrepid Loop (1 mile), while the most difficult trail is Twisted Tree Loop (9 miles). You can rent bikes at the park from Bighorn Mountain Biking.
- Camp under the stars. The park has two campgrounds that offer a unique experience of sleeping in a dark sky park. Kayenta Campground has 21 sites with RV hookups, picnic tables, fire pits, and restrooms with showers. Wingate Campground has 20 sites with tent pads, picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets. Both campgrounds have access to water and WiFi. You can reserve your site online or by phone.
- Stargaze at night. The park is one of the best places to stargaze in Utah, thanks to its low light pollution and high elevation. You can see thousands of stars, planets, constellations, and even the Milky Way on a clear night. The park offers guided night sky programs throughout the year, where you can learn about astronomy and use telescopes to observe celestial objects.

Tips