Cities/Moab/Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point State Park

4.8(6.5K)google

4.7(148)yelp

Per Vehicle $25·Senior(65+) $15·Special $15·Per Person $10USD(This is a Utah State Park; the federal Interagency Annual Pass (America the Beautiful Pass) is not accepted here)

CanyonScenic LookoutPhotography SpotSunsetHikingOutdoorPhoto Spot

Overview

Dead Horse Point State Park sits atop a dramatic, towering plateau that juts out over a dizzying 2,000-foot vertical drop above a majestic gooseneck bend in the Colorado River near Moab. The park offers some of the most spectacular, sweeping panoramic vistas in the world, showcasing endless waves of deeply chiseled canyons, massive sandstone mesas, and distant snow-capped La Sal mountains. The park earns its haunting name from a historic tragedy where pioneer cowboys used the narrow neck of the plateau as a natural corral for wild mustangs, which tragically perished of thirst, leaving behind a legendary overlook.

Practical Info

Moab, UT 84532, USA

Every day6:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours

Best TimeHighly recommended from March to May or September to November. Perched precariously on a sheer cliffside rim 2,000 feet directly above the Colorado River loops, the untouchable hour is 5:30 PM to sunset; watching the bleeding dusk light strike the 270-degree goose-neck river bend washes the multi-layer crimson plateaus in deep gold shades.

Getting ThereSituated northwest of Moab at the dead end of UT-313 W. Driving a personal vehicle is effortless: follow US-191 north, turn onto UT-131 W, and drive west for 22 miles following the state park signs straight to the peninsula rim terminus. The historic site features a free, wide flat paved asphalt visitor parking field right at the cliff edge.

(800) 322-3770

stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/

Travel Tips

National Park Passes Accepted Exclusion: This is a Utah State Park, not a federal National Park site. Interagency America the Beautiful passes are fully invalid here; a separate $25 per vehicle state park entrance fee must be paid at the gate.
Sheer Unfenced Ledges Vertigo Alert: The main panoramic canyon overlooks feature vertical 2,000-foot drops completely devoid of safety railings. Keep children and leashed pets far back from the slickrock rim edges, especially during sudden canyon gusts.

Photo Tips

Photo Rules

Stargazing Red Light Enforcement: As a certified International Dark Sky Park, white light painting, tactical flashlights, or leaving car headlights on at overlooks at night is strictly prohibited. Utilize low-intensity red headlamps to maintain ambient darkness.

Reviews

Positive

Overlooking the 2,000-foot Colorado River gooseneck bend packs a visual impact and symmetry that beats many national parks; highly authentic.
The scenic drive and rim-side paved trails offer absolute accessibility; restrooms are immaculate, and rest seating areas feature comfortable shade.
With lower crowds than neighboring Arches, the wild silence and sunset hold deep core value; moderate tourist density keeps people-viewing away.
The $25 vehicle admission pass delivers great value. The park's Pony Express cafe features fair pricing, warm staff, and frequent safety patrols.

Heads up

The state park scale is relatively small next to national giants; outside the core gooseneck bend, trail views get repetitive, dropping fun over time.
Requires driving down a long, dead-end single highway with zero public transit; ridesharing back and forth from Moab costs an absolute fortune.
Certain unpaved rim tracks face intense mountain winds and lack prominent multilingual safety warning nets, creating hazards for energetic kids.
Campground extras are incredibly hard to book; midday heatwaves bake the open terraces, and the park lacks large air-conditioned indoor refuges.