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Dead Horse Point State Park provides some of the most dramatic views in Utah. It’s located near the entrance to Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district.
Introduction to Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park, at an elevation of 5,900 feet (1,800 meters), covers 5,300 acres of Utah desert and offers several scenic overlooks. It opened to the public in 1959 and has been a filming location for several movies and television shows. According to legend, the park is named for the fact cowboys used it as a natural corral for wild mustangs in the late 19th century. One time, for reasons unknown, horses were left corralled on the 30-yard-wide point and died of thirst.
Planning Your Trip to Dead Horse Point State Park
Within a short drive from both Canyonlands and Arches National Park as well as the town of Moab, if you’re in the area to see the two national parks, it’s well worth making time for Dead Horse Point State Park. Although there are about seven miles of trails at the park, many visitors come strictly for the views. During our visit, we stopped at two overlooks.
Before getting into some of the trails and highlights of the park, here’s some essential information to help you plan your trip. Check the official website for more info:
Entrance Fees to Dead Horse Point State Park
It’s open daily from 6am to 10pm. The entrance fee varies depending on your mode of transportation. Prices are current as of September 2025:
- For private vehicles, it’s $20.
- For motorcycles, it’s $10.
- For visitors entering on bicycle or on foot, it’s $10 per each four people.
Camping at the Park
Campsites and yurts are available if you plan to stay the night. RV campsites are $50, tent sites are $40, and yurts, which include day use fees, are $150 (as of September 2025). They can be reserved here. There are no showers available so you must come prepared.
Dead Horse Point Visitor Center
The visitor center is a good place to state. You can get a quick bite to eat and peruse the gift shop. There’s also a short ⅛-mile nature trail.
Dead Horse Point
Dead Horse Point features the park’s most spectacular views. To the southeast, you can see the Colorado River winding through the landscape 2,000 feet below. It took 10-15 million years for the river to carve the canyons in front of you.
To the southwest you’ll spot a gooseneck formed by the river. Further in the distance, you can see into the Island in the Sky district at Canyonlands National Park.
Looking to the south is more rugged desert landscape. Some of the scenery is located within the boundaries of Canyonlands.
Looking down, you’ll notice Potash Road, which leads into Canyonlands and connects with White Rim Road. It’s not within the park boundaries of either Dead Horse Point State Park or Canyonlands National Park.
If you’ve seen Thelma and Louise, you’ve definitely seen Potash Road in the movie. The canyon below doubles as the Grand Canyon for the film. At the end of the movie (spoiler alert!), the duo plunge their car into the Colorado River from Potash Road. With a 4×4, you can drive along the road and visit Thelma and Louise Point to see where that famous scene was filmed.
Meander Overlook
Meander Overlook is another incredible viewpoint with more amazing scenery to enjoy.
