Dead Horse Point State Park
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#9Things to do in Moab UtahTravelers' Choice 2026
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Dead Horse Point State Park protects 21.7 km² of high desert in San Juan County, Utah, northeast of Canyonlands National Park.
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Why go
- A 180-degree bend in the Colorado River below the southern tip
- 17 miles of single-track mountain biking on the Intrepid Trail System, with varied difficulty
- An eight-mile hiking trail linking loops and overlooks along the East and West Rim Trails
- High-desert scenery at about 1,800 metres elevation
- Landscapes digitally transformed into Mars for John Carter
Opening hours
Today06:00 – 22:00Show all
Monday06:00 – 22:00
Tuesday06:00 – 22:00
Wednesday06:00 – 22:00
Thursday06:00 – 22:00
Friday06:00 – 22:00
Saturday06:00 – 22:00
Sunday06:00 – 22:00
Don't miss
- Park overlooksTake in views of Canyonlands National Park.Within the park.
- Visitor centreInclude the park’s visitor centre in your visit.Within the park.
- Picnic areasStop for a picnic in the park’s designated picnic areas.Within the park.
History
- 19th centuryCowboys and horse thieves used the plateau as a natural corral. Steep cliffs enclosed it, and branches and brush blocked a connecting ridge only 27 metres wide at its narrowest point. A legend links the park’s name to horses left there dying from lack of food, water and shade.
- 1959The park opened to the public.
- 1991The park appeared in Thelma & Louise, including its final scene.
- 1997The park appeared in Con Air.
- 2000The area was used for Tom Cruise’s climbing scene in Mission: Impossible II.
Show all
- 2015Outdoor scenes for Westworld were filmed in the park.
Interesting facts5
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Mule deer, coyotes and Hopi chipmunks live in the park.
Dead Horse Point State Park - Wikipedia -
Utah juniper, pinyon pine and narrowleaf yucca grow here.
Dead Horse Point State Park - Wikipedia -
25 centimetres
The park receives an average of 25 centimetres of precipitation each year.
Dead Horse Point State Park - Wikipedia -
Some plants limit water loss with small leaves or waxy coatings.
Dead Horse Point State Park - Wikipedia -
Animals in the area are mostly active at night.
Dead Horse Point State Park - Wikipedia
Tips for your visit
- Watch for lightning and keep clear of unfenced cliff edges.
- Plan fuel and supplies ahead: gas and medical care are over 30 miles away in Moab. The park has a coffee shop serving food and drinks.
Know before you go
- Open daily from 06:00 to 22:00.
- Hunting is prohibited.
- Bikes may be ridden single-file on paved roads.
How to get there
- CarReach the park from Moab via SR 313.
Sources: Dead Horse Point State Park - Wikipedia · Dead Horse Point State Park - Wikipedia · Parc d'État de Dead Horse Point - Wikipedia · checked 29 Sep 2026
Where
UT, Moab
- Phone
- +1 800-322-3770
Plan from here: Evening walk →
Questions and answers
What should families bear in mind at Dead Horse Point State Park?
Picnic areas are available, but cliffs are unfenced.
Is there food at Dead Horse Point State Park?
A coffee shop serves food and drinks.
Can I cycle on paved roads at Dead Horse Point State Park?
Yes. Bikes may be ridden single-file.
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