Getting to the Park
Perhaps Utah’s most spectacular state park, Dead Horse Point towers 2,000ft above the Colorado River with breathtaking views of canyon country and the pinnacles and buttes of Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park.
The road to Dead Horse Point State Park is 10 miles northwest of Moab on US Hwy 191, then 23 miles southwest on Utah Hwy 313.
Park hours: 6am-10pm year-round. Visitor center hours: 9am-5pm (winter hours may vary), closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day (the park remains open).
The visitor center has wheelchair-accessible facilities, an information area, exhibits, restrooms, water, publications, and souvenirs. They also sell hot and cold beverages, ice, and snack foods.
Entrance Fees
Day use is $20 per vehicle for up to eight passengers, $10 per motorcycle, $4 per pedestrian or cyclist biking into the park. Day use for seniors 62+ is $15. A Utah State Parks annual pass is available. All fees are subject to change.
Note: This is a Utah State Park. The National Parks Pass is not valid here nor does the entrance fee for this park allow you entrance to the nearby Canyonlands or Arches National Parks.
Essential Details
The park is at 5,900ft, which means weather is a bit more unpredictable, more windy, and definitely cooler than downtown Moab, so dress accordingly.
The main overlook boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the Colorado River and its side canyons. The scenic Rim Trail towers 2,000ft directly above the Colorado River.
Hiking
There are two hiking-specific trails on which mountain biking is not allowed. Both trails leave from the visitor center and go to the Dead Horse Point overlook. Both are an easy walk: the East Rim Trail is 1.5 miles and the West Rim Trail is 2.5 miles, one way. Leashed dogs are allowed on hiking trails.
Mountain Biking
The Intrepid Trail System is bisected by the main road and provides 16.6 miles of moderate to intermediate riding. The trails meander through varied terrain, including slickrock and sand; some pass through meadows and others along the edge of the plateau. Please see page 96 for the trail map. Hiking is also allowed on mountain bike trails. No dogs are allowed on the mountain bike trails.
Camping
Yurts are available by reservation for overnight use year-round. Each yurt provides sleeping for six, electricity, cooling unit, propane fireplace, table and chairs, locking door, outdoor propane grill, and seating. Modern restrooms are nearby, but no showers. $150 per night.
The 21-site Kayenta Campground features electrical hookups, tent pads, sheltered tables, and charcoal grills. No showers. $50/night per site.
The Wingate campground is located just south of the Kayenta Campground. There are electrical hookups and flush toilets but no showers. $40/night for tent sites, or $50 for sites with electricity.
All water must be trucked to the park, so there is limited drinking water. Please fill water tanks before arriving and bring your own firewood.
To reserve a yurt or a site in either campground, call 800-322-3770 8am-5pm (Mountain Standard Time), or visit stateparks.utah.gov/reservations.