Visiting Dead Horse Point State Park

View from an overlook at Dead Horse Point State Park

After leaving Canyonlands National Park, we drove on Highway 313 to Dead Horse Point State Park.  The views here are spectacular, and we spent a little time enjoying the scenery before heading to Moab.  This was our last stop of the day.  

A short trail connects various viewpoints along the rim, and you can look across mesas and down to the Colorado river 2,000 feet below.  We experienced high winds when we visited on an early April afternoon.  Even with blue skies and sunshine, it was very chilly.  We were grateful for sweatshirts and it was a hold on to your hat kind of day!

Hold on to your hat!  It was a windy day.

Formations jut from the buttes and mesas at Dead Horse Point State Park.

Late afternoon proved to be a good time of day to visit in April, as we were able to see sunlight on the river below.  Cowboys used to herd wild horses out on to the point.  Its narrow neck could be fenced to keep the horses corralled.  After taking the best horses from the herds, the remainder were set free.  Legend has it that some horses were left on the point, and did not leave, but rather died there of thirst with the river flowing down below.  That is how Dead Horse Point got its name.

Sunlight on the Colorado river - the famous view of Dead Horse Point

Dead Horse Point is operated as a state park with a $10 per vehicle entrance fee (at the time of this writing).        The park offers camping, biking trails, hikes, and incredible views.  Located just 32 miles from Moab, this is a great stop if you are visiting places like Canyonlands or Arches National Park.  

View from Dead Horse Point overlook.

If you go:  From Moab, drive northwest on Highway 191 for 9 miles.  Then turn southwest on Highway 313.  Travel 23 miles to Dead Horse Point State Park.  The road ends at the visitor's center and overlook area.  It takes about 45 minutes to drive from Moab to Dead Horse Point.  Plan on 1/2 hour to 1-1/2 hours  at the park to enjoy the overlooks.