Dramatic Panoramic Overlook, Hiking Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah is Worth the Day Trip!

Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

 We were on our way to Moab, Utah from Grand Junction Colorado and arrived much earlier than anticipated.  I remember visiting Dead Horse Point State Park 13 years ago and felt it would be a nice little side trip to keep us busy until our Hotel check-in time!  We pulled out the atlas and headed out for some adventure. 

The park has changed since my last visit but for the better I assure you.  The park fee is now $5 to get in but the experience is well worth the money.  They have this really nice visitor center that is stocked with toys, outdoors books and other keepsakes to remember your visit.  The center has an interpretive guide and the rangers are more than helpful with the site map and the rim hike.  I was extremely pleased with the quality of this State Park and its visitor center.  Very clean and well maintained. Coming from Florida’s Gold Medal winning State Parks, I would say the Utah is ready to give them a run for their money and then some!

After refreshing ourselves in the visitor center, we proceeded outside to hike the trail and enjoy the view.  Right off the parking lot we spotted two female mule deer grazing on the bushes.  I would have to say that was a very unexpected pleasure!  We were able get within several feet of them before they felt uncomfortable and scurried across the parking lot. 

Female Mule Deer

From that moment I can only say that our experience got better!  Because of the 97 degree heat we decided to only hike 1.5 miles of the 4 mile loop.  The trails along the rim were well kept and had stone wall barriers that allowed us to get right up to the edge of the 2000 foot gorge.   We were very lucky to have such clear blue skies that day and it made for the absolutely spectacular views over the vast canyons! 

Green River at Dead Horse Point State Park

Man's Face in Cliff Wall at Dead Horse Point State Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dead Horse Point State Park it a 5300+ acre park that stands on a rock peninsula overlooking the Green River.  This scenic rim trail sits on the edge of Canyon Lands National Park and on a clear day views can boast up to 50 miles into the park!  This area received its name from the old western Wranglers driving the wild mustangs out to this point to corral them.  Dead Horse Point State Park lies approximately 30 miles outside of Moab, Utah.  Despite its dark past, the scenery is breathtaking and certainly worth the day trip!

 

Guide Book

National Geographics Guide to State Parks of the United States, 2nd Edition