A Complete Guide to Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah (Hikes, Yurts & Views)

Dead Horse Point State Park offers what is arguably the most photographed scenic vista in the world.

Towering 2,000 feet above a dramatic gooseneck of the Colorado River, this view provides a breathtaking panorama of Canyonlands’ sculpted pinnacles and buttes, all shaped by millions of years of geologic activity.

Many travellers, when planning a trip to Moab, wonder if it’s worth visiting, especially with the massive Canyonlands National Park right next door.

The short answer is an emphatic yes. They are neighbors, not twins.

In fact, a common regret for visitors is not realizing how close they are and failing to plan for both.

While it’s an easy, 45-minute drive from Moab on paved roads, there are… other ways to get there. In this guide, we provide the complete plan for a perfect visit—from the best hikes and amenities to the park’s dark legend.

We also share a white-knuckle story of taking the “scenic” 4WD track by mistake.

First, here is the essential information for planning your trip.

Dead Horse Point State Park at-a-Glance

Dead Horse Point vs. Canyonlands: Is It Worth Visiting Both?

Yes, 100%. The biggest mistake a visitor can make is assuming they are the same. A common refrain from travelers is their regret over not planning to see both on the same day.

They are best understood as neighbors, not twins.

• Location: They are geographically adjacent. You take the same highway (US-191) from Moab and turn onto the same access road (UT-313) to reach both.
• Size: This is the key difference. Dead Horse Point State Park is “tiny but mighty” at 5,362 acres. Canyonlands National Park is a massive 337,598 acres.
• Perspective: Dead Horse Point provides the single, iconic overlook of the Colorado River and the Canyonlands landscape from 2,000 feet above. The “Island in the Sky” district of Canyonlands is a 17-mile scenic drive with multiple overlooks within that landscape.

A Pro-Tip for Planning: Combine them. Spend the morning exploring the Island in the Sky scenic drive in Canyonlands, then dedicate your afternoon and sunset to Dead Horse Point.

Best Things to Do at Dead Horse Point State Park

While many visitors stop for the main view and leave, the park offers a rich, full-day experience.

1. See the Main Event: Dead Horse Point Overlook

If you only have time for one activity, this is it. This is the view seen in countless photographs and films. A paved, accessible trail leads to the overlook , which sits on a peninsula of rock 2,000 feet above the Colorado River.

From here, you get a stunning panorama of the river’s gooseneck and the La Sal Mountains in the distance.

2. Hike the Rim Trails (East & West Rim Loop)

The park features eight miles of interconnected hiking trails, all rated easy.

The best way to experience the canyon is to hike the full rim loop.

A popular route is to park at the Visitor Center, hike the East Rim Trail (approx. 2 miles) to the Dead Horse Point Overlook, and then return via the West Rim Trail (approx. 3.5 miles).

The full loop, including detours to other overlooks like Meander Overlook and Bighorn Overlook, is about 5.5 miles and offers constantly changing perspectives of the canyon below.

3. Mountain Bike the Intrepid Trail System

For mountain bikers, the park offers the Intrepid Trail System, a 16.6-mile network of “flowy” trails.

These trails are a “great taste of what Moab mountain biking is all about”.¹ They wind through juniper and pinyon pine, over gentle slickrock, and offer incredible scenery without the technical difficulty of many other Moab-area rides, making them perfect for families and beginners.

4. Go Stargazing (A Certified Dark Sky Park)

Do not leave when the sun goes down. In 2016, Dead Horse Point was designated an official International Dark Sky Park.

The park’s high elevation (5,900 feet) and remote location, far from city light pollution, make it a world-class destination for stargazing.

5. Find the “Thelma & Louise” Filming Spot

The park’s iconic status was cemented in pop culture by the final scene of the 1991 film Thelma and Louise.

While the film’s plot implies they are at the Grand Canyon, the actual scene was filmed here. The park is a featured stop on the Utah Film Trail.

Planning Your Visit: Logistics & Key Facilities

A smooth visit to Dead Horse Point is all in the planning. Here are the practical details you need to know.

Directions from Moab (The Easy Way)

The park is 32 miles from Moab, and the drive takes approximately 45 minutes. The correct, paved route is:

1. Drive 9 miles north of Moab on US-191.
2. Turn left (southwest) onto Utah 313.
3. Follow UT-313 for 23 miles directly to the park entrance.

Park Fees, Hours, and Visitor Center

The park is open daily from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.

The $20 day-use fee is valid for two consecutive days, allowing you to return for a sunset or sunrise. The Visitor Center offers information on geology and history, a gift shop, and restrooms.

Critical Amenities (What to Bring and What’s Not There)

This is a high-desert park, and amenities are limited. Managing expectations is key.

• NO SHOWERS: There are no showers available in the park, including at the campgrounds.
• NO WATER HOOKUPS: There are no water hookups for RVs. All campers must fill their water tanks before arriving at the park.
• NO EV CHARGING: There are no electric vehicle charging stations. The nearest are in Moab at Lions Park.

Pet Policy: Bringing Your Dog

Dead Horse Point is very pet-friendly. Dogs are allowed on all hiking trails on a leash (max 6 feet).

• Hiking Trails: Allowed.
• Mountain Bike Trails: Not allowed.
• Yurts: Allowed (with a pet fee) only in the Moenkopi yurts; they are not permitted in the Wingate yurts.

Where to Stay: Camping & Yurts at Dead Horse Point

Staying overnight is a popular option, especially for stargazing. Accommodations are split between two main areas and book up far in advance.

Campgrounds: Kayenta vs. Wingate

• Kayenta Campground: Features 21 campsites, all with 20/30/50 amp electrical hookups, making it ideal for RVs. Each site has a shade shelter and tent pad. Cost: $50 per night.
• Wingate Campground: Offers 21 electrical RV/tent sites, plus 11 hike-in tent-only campsites (less than 200 yards from the parking lot). Cost: $50/night (RV), $40/night (tent-only).

Yurts: Moenkopi vs. Wingate

For a unique experience, the park offers nine yurts across two locations.

• Details: The 5 Moenkopi yurts are near the park entrance; the 4 Wingate yurts are near the campground. Each comes with a bunk bed, futon, tables, AC/heater, and an outdoor grill. No cooking, pets (except in Moenkopi), or smoking is allowed inside.
• Cost: $150 per night.

How & When to Make Reservations

This is the most critical piece of advice: Reservations for all campsites and yurts can be made four months in advance.

They are extremely popular and will be fully booked for in-demand seasons. Reservations can be made online at reserveamerica.com or by calling 1-800-322-3770.

The Dark Legend: How Dead Horse Point Got Its Name

The park’s name isn’t just evocative; it comes from a grim local legend.

The “point” is a classic peninsula of rock, a high promontory surrounded by sheer cliffs.

It is only connected to the main mesa by a “neck” of land just 30 yards wide.

According to legend, around the turn of the century, cowboys used this geology as a natural corral.

They would round up wild mustangs roaming the mesa, herd them across the narrow neck, and then fence off the neck with brush. This created an inescapable trap.

Cowboys would then select the horses they wanted and let the others go. However, one time, for an unknown reason, a herd of horses was left corralled on the waterless point. They were left to die of thirst, all within view of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below.

The BaldHiker Adventure: Our “Wrong Turn” on the Infamous Long Canyon Road

The easy, 45-minute drive from Moab is on the paved UT-313. But, we have a knack for finding… the “scenic” route. Thanks to a misplaced SatNav pin and a bit of jet lag, we ended up on an entirely different path.

Instead of heading north on US-191, our SatNav took us down UT-279, towards a “Pot Ash” plant.

Then, it said we should turn right. We did, onto an unmade road and across a railway line. The road had sign posts—albeit full of bullet holes—and was well-made with gravel, so we continued. Even fording a small stream didn’t set off alarm bells.

Little did we know we had found the infamous “Long Canyon/Pucker Pass” Road.

The road began to climb through a series of switchbacks, rising from 4,000 feet to just over 6,000 feet.

We later found out the average gradient is 5.49%. As we progressed in our 4WD SUV, the road became very narrow, with little room at the sides of the car and a sheer drop down to the valley below.

The passengers on the right side of the vehicle later said they were too busy admiring the scenery (or perhaps too afraid to look down) to take much notice of the changing road conditions.

While our adventure ended well, it’s a powerful reminder: take the paved UT-313. But if you do have a high-clearance 4WD and a strong stomach for heights, the “scenic” route is one you will never forget.