Dead Horse Point State Park

Visitor Guide
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Dead Horse Point State Park

Intro

Dead Horse Point State Park is one of the most dramatic overlooks in the American Southwest. The moment you walk out to the rim and see the Colorado River bending far below you, the entire Moab landscape snaps into focus. If you are planning a visit to Moab for the first or second time, this is one of the most rewarding places you can explore. In this guide, you will learn exactly how to visit Dead Horse Point State Park, when to go, what to expect, how much time you need, what to bring, and which trails and viewpoints are worth your limited vacation hours.

Everything here is written by a local who spends most weeks hiking, biking, camping, and exploring the mesas above Moab. Consider this your trusted, insider friendly guide that explains the experience in real terms. By the time you finish reading, you will know how to plan a trip to Dead Horse Point with confidence and avoid the mistakes most visitors make.

What Dead Horse Point State Park Is

Dead Horse Point State Park is a protected high desert mesa located about thirty two miles from downtown Moab. It sits next to Canyonlands National Park and rises more than two thousand feet above the Colorado River. The park is famous for its sweeping overlooks, easy rim walks, dark sky quality, and some of the best family friendly mountain biking trails in the region.

This is a place built around viewpoints. The landscapes roll out in enormous layers of cliffs, canyons, and distant mountains. You come here for the views, the calm, and the feeling of being suspended above the Colorado River. Everything is simple, beautiful, and easy to enjoy.

Why It Matters for Moab Travelers

You should visit Dead Horse Point if you want one of the most accessible views in the desert without sacrificing scale, drama, or adventure. It offers:

  • A world class overlook only a short walk from the parking area

  • Wide open sunrise and sunset views

  • A quieter alternative to Arches National Park

  • Family friendly trails

  • Easy mountain biking options on the Intrepid Trail System

  • A simple place to build into any Moab itinerary

For many travelers, this is the moment they understand Moab’s canyon country. It is also a perfect place for people who are still adjusting to desert hiking or who want a big reward without committing to long mileage.

What to Expect

Expect wide, open skies and a steady breeze across the mesa. The roads are well maintained and the viewpoints are easy to reach. Most trails follow the edge of the rim so you always have something worth stopping for. You do not need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the park.

The park is quiet in the morning and busier near sunset. Facilities include a visitor center, restrooms, maintained trails, and two small campgrounds. There are no services for food or fuel inside the park, so plan ahead.

The Experience in Detail

When you step out to the main overlook, you will feel the entire Colorado River canyon drop at your feet. The river makes a wide horseshoe curve far below and the surrounding cliffs look like a giant stairway of red stone. If you walk the Rim trails, the views never fade. Each bend gives you a new angle on the canyons and the bright blue river.

Mountain bikers love the Intrepid Trail System for its mix of fun flow, easy grades, and close scenery. Hikers love the Rim trails for their simplicity and big payoffs. Photographers love the point for sunrise and sunset light across the canyon walls. Families love that almost all viewpoints require only a short walk.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Dead Horse Point State Park is early spring and late fall. These seasons offer comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and excellent visibility.

Winter can be quiet and beautiful with snow dusting the cliffs, but cold mornings are common.
Summer brings extreme heat. If you visit in midsummer, go at sunrise or shortly before sunset.

Best Time of Day

Sunrise is peaceful and often empty. The cliffs glow slowly and the light travels across the canyon like a wave.
Sunset lights the fins and mesas in warm color and is the most popular time to visit.

For photographs, late afternoon is perfect. For a quiet visit, choose early morning.

Seasonal Considerations

Spring: Ideal temperatures and active wildlife.
Summer: Hot conditions and frequent visitors. Travel earlier or later in the day.
Fall: Warm days, cool evenings, and excellent clarity.
Winter: Short days, icy patches on the rim, and very quiet trails.

Difficulty Level or Who It Is Best For

This location is perfect for anyone. The main overlook is easy and accessible. Families, couples, first time Moab visitors, and adventure travelers will all find something here.
The biking and longer rim routes are best for beginners and intermediate riders or hikers.

How Long It Takes

A standard visit takes one to three hours.
A full loop of the Rim trails can take two to four hours depending on how often you stop.
Biking the Intrepid Trail System can take one to three hours depending on the route.

Terrain, Conditions, and Environment

Expect flat slickrock, packed desert soil, scattered juniper, open exposure, and endless sky. The rim is uneven in places, so keep a close eye on children and stay aware of footing. There is no shade except at covered picnic pads and the visitor center.

Insider Local Tips

  • Bring more water than you think you need.

  • Sunrise is the least crowded time.

  • The Intrepid Trail System gives you constant overlooks without heavy climbing.

  • Stay after sunset for world class stargazing.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Arriving with too little water

  • Visiting only the main viewpoint and skipping the Rim trails

  • Underestimating summer heat

  • Forgetting that the park charges its own entrance fee separate from national parks

What to Bring

  • Water

  • Sun protection

  • Light layers for wind

  • Snacks

  • Camera or phone

  • A map or offline navigation

Weather Considerations for Moab’s Climate

Moab is a desert climate. Expect strong sun, low humidity, and sharp temperature swings between day and night. Wind can be strong at the rim. Storms move quickly and lightning is dangerous on exposed viewpoints, so avoid the rim during active storms.

Safety Notes

Stay back from cliff edges.
Watch children closely.
Carry enough water.
Do not climb down into the canyon.
Avoid the rim during lightning.
Stay aware of heat and dehydration.

Directions in Simple Language

From downtown Moab, follow US Route 191 north for about eleven miles. Turn left onto State Route 313 and follow it for roughly twenty one miles as it climbs onto the mesa. Signs clearly mark the entrance to Dead Horse Point State Park.

Parking Availability

The main overlook has a large paved parking area. Additional parking areas exist near trailheads and the visitor center. Parking is usually available except during peak sunset hours on spring weekends.

Nearby Viewpoints, Trails, Food, and Attractions

  • Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky district

  • Shafer Canyon Overlook

  • Mesa Arch

  • Intrepid Trail System

  • Big Spring Canyon Overlook

  • Restaurants and cafes in downtown Moab

Guided Tour Recommendations

While most visitors explore the park on their own, guided tours through local Moab outfitters add context, photography coaching, and interpretation of the geology. Book guided tours several days ahead during spring and fall.

When This Is the Best Choice vs Alternatives

Pick Dead Horse Point when you want dramatic views with very little required hiking.
Choose Canyonlands if you want larger landscapes and more remote trails.
Choose Arches when you want arches, fins, and classic rock formations.

If You Only Remember One Thing

Aim for sunrise or sunset. The entire park transforms in a way you will never forget.

Local Tip

Drive slowly along the entrance road. Herds of mule deer often graze near the rim in early morning light.

Pro Tip

Do the short walk from the main overlook to the west rim for even quieter sunset angles.