The Colorado River Overlook (1 mile round trip, easy) Eight trail-side exhibits highlight some of the common desert plants and trees that you’re likely to encounter in the park, while an interpretive sign explains a unique feature that can be seen from many of the East Rim overlooks: solar evaporation ponds that are used in the mining of salt and potash. The paved path just outside the Visitor Center offers great views of the basin to the east, the La Sal Mountains and Chimney Rock. The Visitor Center Nature Trail (1/8 mile round trip, very easy) Paved pathways lead out in both directions from the shelter, providing additional viewpoints while linking up with both the East and West Rim trail systems.Īlthough the primary overlook and shade shelter are accessible, the eastern and western spur trails contain steeper inclines and short sections of slick rock interspersed with the pavement.
A large shelter at the overlook provides relief from both foul weather and summer heat. From the overlook parking lot, a short paved pathway leads to breathtaking views of the Colorado River and adjacent canyon country some 2,000 feet below. This is the main attraction of Dead Horse Point State Park. The Dead Horse Point Overlook Trail (200 feet one way, very easy) Rather than making this a quick photo stop, spend some time enjoying the trails, reserve a yurt or campsite and enjoy the starry sky light show.īelow are details about Dead Horse Point that may be helpful in planning your trip. Last word Dead Horse Point offers amazing views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands with sweeping vistas of the surrounding area including the La Sal Mountains.
Dogs are allowed on all hiking trails in the park, and into the campground with the following guidelines: Pets must be leashed at all times, even while in the campground Pets are not allowed on the Intrepid Mountain Biking Trails Pets are not allowed in the Yurts (or in vehicles outside the yurts) Pets cannot be left in vehicles Clean up after your pet. Pets Dead Horse Point, like all Utah state parks, is dog friendly. Take US-191 north to UT-313, Dead Horse Point State Park is 18 miles from the junction. Getting there Moab is 31 miles from Dead Horse Point. With the exception of the main viewpoint at the end of the road, there are no rails so watch your little children closely. Starting at the visitor center we hiked approximately 8 miles. The rim trails were easy with several side trips to overlook viewpoints. Hiking the entire network of trails took only a few hours, about a half-day’s worth. We decided to hike all the trails and make this trip all about Dead Horse Point.
When I bring groups here we generally just visit the “tip,” or end of the road where the iconic view of the river below is located. My objective this trip was to hike all the trails and learn something new about the park. I live in an area near Zion National Park that also has dark sky but not quite like what we experienced here. Utah is the world leader with nine International Dark Sky Parks, Dead Horse Point being one of the nine. The Milky Way immediately jumped out both nights with stars so numerous it boggled our minds. We were not disappointed! We spent the first night enjoying a starry night from the campground the second night we went to the main view point at the end of the road. I reserved a yurt for two nights and crossed my fingers for clear skies, which we were fortunate to have. I’ve been visiting Dead Horse Point for many years and have seen it under snow, fogged in, during dramatic thunderstorms but never at night. My wife and I recently completed a goal I set this year to spend the night at Dead Horse Point, which is an International Dark Sky Park. The views of the Colorado River and Canyonlands 2,000 ft below the rim trails are definitely a highlight of the tour. Groups I take on tours through Utah frequently comment that they enjoy the state parks more than the national parks with Dead Horse Point often ranking high as a favorite stop on our Utah tours. I consider these the best places for families to experience the outdoors together. Many of these parks could easily be national parks, like Dead Horse Point, but in many ways, I think they’re better! Utah has set aside these scenic and adventurous places for the enjoyment of the public, not to merely look at but as places for a hands-on experience. Dead Horse Point is one of Utah’s 44 state parks and recreation areas.