Dead Horse Point State Park
Moab, UT
A narrow mesa-top overlook 600 m above a gooseneck of the Colorado River, with a paved rim trail and visitor center. It is a separate state park from Canyonlands, with its own entry fee and two campgrounds.
Dead Horse Point is a narrow peninsula on the edge of the same plateau that holds the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, about a 45-minute drive from Moab. Some 610 m (2,000 feet) below, the Colorado River winds through a tight bend. The name comes from local lore: around 1900 the promontory served as a natural corral, and some horses are said to have died here. The final scene of "Thelma & Louise" was filmed nearby at Fossil Point.
About 13 km (8 miles) of hiking trails link eight overlooks, plus about 27 km (17 miles) of mountain bike singletrack in the Intrepid Trail System. Since 2016 the park has been an International Dark Sky Park, so an evening under the stars is well worth it. For overnight stays there are two campgrounds and yurts; book early. The park is open year-round and has its own visitor center. Allow two to three hours for the views and a short rim walk.
- Nearest town
- Moab, UT
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 38.4706, -109.7406
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July–August. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Cowboy CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Dead Horse Point State Park · 7 pitchesTentsCaravansToiletsDogs allowed
- Sun Outdoors Moab DowntownMotorhome stopover12 mi from Dead Horse Point State ParkTentsCaravansMotorhomesWi-Fi
- Sun Outdoors North MoabCampsite13 mi from Dead Horse Point State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Sun Outdoors Arches GatewayMotorhome stopover13 mi from Dead Horse Point State ParkMotorhomesDrinking waterShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Moab KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover14 mi from Dead Horse Point State ParkTentsMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Red Desert RV ParkCampsite15 mi from Dead Horse Point State ParkCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Utah · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Dead Horse Point State Park?
Dead Horse Point State Park is in Moab, UT, at GPS 38.4706, -109.7406. It is about 4 mi from Island in the Sky.
Can you camp near Dead Horse Point State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Site 51, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 106 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Dead Horse Point State Park?
Dead Horse Point State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Colorado River Byway to Moab, Dead Horse Point and Island in the Sky and Red walls, starry skies – the great canyon tour through the Southwest.
What is there to see near Dead Horse Point State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Mesa Arch, Canyonlands (9 mi), Corona Arch Trail (10 mi), Grand View Point Overlook (13 mi) and Arches National Park (20 mi).
When is the best time to visit Dead Horse Point State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)