Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah, USA - map and visitor information

Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab, Utah, combines a canyon overlook with rim walks, mountain biking, camping, and yurts. It is a state park with its own fees and visitor rules. Use the Utah State Parks page to plan the visit independently from nearby Canyonlands.

Highlights at Dead Horse Point

• The main overlook: A short paved route reaches views of the Colorado River and canyon country. It offers a different commitment from a longer rim hike. See the official hiking guide.
• Intrepid trails: A network designed for nonmotorized recreation provides options for mountain biking. Route difficulty varies; use the trail descriptions to choose a suitable loop.
• Night skies: The park has International Dark Sky Park status. Day visitors still need to follow closing hours. The park's night-viewing notice explains after-hours access for campers and authorized activities.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Cliff edges, heat, and trail conditions

Many overlooks have no fence. The official brochure warns about exposed rims during thunderstorms and recommends shelter in a building or vehicle. Carry water and use sturdy footwear.

The September 9, 2026 conditions notice reports washouts that make some mountain bike trails harder than their mapped ratings, especially Big Chief. Check again before riding; a published rating does not account for every recent change.

Stay on routes and check pet restrictions

Leave trail markers in place and do not build extra cairns. The park uses rocks and wood to mark routes through sensitive terrain. See the official trail-marker notice.

Leashed dogs are allowed on hiking trails. Confirm the rules for the Intrepid trail network before bringing a dog.

Reservations and special-use permits

Entry reservations are not required, according to the park fee page. Campsites and yurts can be booked up to four months before arrival. The park recommends advance reservations, especially from March through November. Use the booking provider linked by Utah State Parks. Availability was not checked.

Weddings and commercial activities require separate planning. Review the special-use permit instructions for the relevant activity and application deadline. A campsite booking does not replace those permissions.

Location, road access, and maps

The official approach runs north from Moab on US 191, then follows SR 313 to its end at the park. Use the map and directions in the park brochure to distinguish the entrance, visitor center, and overlook. A mailing address is not an arrival destination.

The mixed-use trail page places the main trailhead one mile south of the entrance station. It also identifies an alternative access point north of the visitor center parking lot. Choose the trail system before setting off; a map for rim hiking does not describe every biking route.

Nearby parks

• Canyonlands National Park: The Island in the Sky approach also uses UT 313 from US 191 north of Moab.
• Arches National Park: Its entrance is on US 191 north of Moab, on the road approach to Dead Horse Point.

Choose between short walks and longer trail outings

Walk to overlooks

The main Overlook Trail is 200 feet, about 61 meters, one way. The East Rim route between the visitor center and Dead Horse Point is 1.5 miles, about 2.4 kilometers, one way. These distances describe individual routes, not a combined itinerary. The hiking guide explains extensions and uneven surfaces.

Ride a route that matches your experience

The Intrepid system has more than 17 miles of trails. The park also describes a newer, more remote far-east-rim system where route finding matters and mobile reception is unreliable. Read the route descriptions alongside the current washout notice. Do not use a short trail's distance alone to judge its difficulty.

Plan an evening visit

Stargazing is possible within the rules for your visit type. A normal day-use visit ends at 10 p.m.; camping reservations and certain authorized activities provide different access. Confirm the night-viewing arrangements before staying late.

Camping, water, and accessible viewpoints

Kayenta and Wingate provide developed camping options, while Wingate and Moenkopi have yurts. Wingate includes hike-in tent-only sites; the park says camper vans and rooftop tents cannot use those sites. There is no water for filling RV tanks anywhere in the park. Read the camping details before choosing a site.

The main overlook and its shade shelter have an accessible approach. The paved extensions toward the East and West Rim trails are not described as ADA accessible. Check the specific route in the official accessibility description, rather than assuming that all pavement is accessible.

The camping page lists restrooms and electrical hookups at Kayenta. Confirm the pet policy for your chosen yurt before booking.

About the park

The story behind the name

The park brochure presents the horse-corral story as a legend. It describes horses left on the point without water; it does not establish that account as a documented event. Read the official account with that distinction in mind.

Wildlife along the rim

The park hiking guide identifies rabbits, lizards, mule deer, and possible bighorn sheep sightings near the Desert View route. Treat these as possible encounters, not scheduled attractions. Observe animals without approaching them or leaving the trail.

Contact Dead Horse Point State Park

Call the visitor center at 435-259-2614. Use the official park website for current notices and contact information.

For permit-specific contact, use the special-use permit page.