Dead Horse Point State Park

State: Utah. Type: state park in San Juan County overlooking the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. Size: about 5,362 acres. Elevation: 5,900 feet. Opened to the public in 1959. Received 560,783 visitors in 2017. Featured in films including Thelma & Louise (1991), Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) and Con Air (1997).

Dead Horse Point State Park sits on a narrow neck of high desert mesa in southeastern Utah, ending in a dramatic overlook 2,000 feet above a horseshoe bend of the Colorado River, with Canyonlands National Park's canyon country stretching beyond. The park opened to the public in 1959 and has since become one of Utah's most photographed viewpoints, thanks in part to its use as a filming location for movies such as Thelma & Louise and Mission: Impossible 2. Despite its dramatic canyon views, the park's high-desert mesa top supports hardy plants like Utah juniper, pinyon pine and various cacti, along with mule deer, coyotes and Hopi chipmunks. Visitor facilities include a visitor center, two campgrounds, yurts, and both hiking and mountain-biking trail networks, making it possible to pair the signature overlook with a longer stay on the mesa.

The park is located in San Juan County in southeastern Utah, near Moab, at an elevation of about 5,900 feet, overlooking the Colorado River and the canyon country of neighboring Canyonlands National Park.

The park sits in a high-desert environment with hot summers, cold winters, and generally low precipitation, typical of the Moab region's elevation and setting. Specific seasonal temperature figures were not confirmed from the sources checked for this entry.

Spring and fall are generally the most comfortable seasons for hiking and biking here, avoiding the intense summer heat common to the surrounding Moab desert region. Sunrise and sunset are popular times to visit the main overlook for photography.

Dead Horse Point State Park opened to the public in 1959. Its name reportedly stems from local legend about mustangs once corralled on the point. The park's dramatic overlook and mesa-top terrain later attracted Hollywood productions, including Thelma & Louise (1991), Mission: Impossible 2 (2000) and Con Air (1997), cementing its visibility well beyond Utah.

The main draw is taking in the overlook of the Colorado River's horseshoe bend from the point itself. The park also offers about 8 miles of hiking trails and 17 miles of mountain biking trails across the mesa, along with camping, picnicking and stargazing given the area's dark, high-desert skies.

Dead Horse Point itself, the namesake overlook 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, is the park's centerpiece. The visitor center provides orientation and exhibits, and the park's trail network, including mesa-top hiking and biking routes, gives access to additional viewpoints beyond the main point.

The park is reached by road from Moab, Utah, a short drive that also serves as the main gateway to nearby Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. Canyonlands Field Airport near Moab offers limited regional air service, while most visitors drive in via personal vehicle or rental car from farther airports such as Salt Lake City or Grand Junction, Colorado.

As of research, the park closes at 10:00 p.m., with campground and yurt guests able to access the park beyond that time. Check-in for camping runs 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and check-out is at noon.

A per-vehicle day-use entrance fee applies; the exact current rate was not confirmed from the sources checked. Camping fees as of research were $60/night (RV sites, peak months) or $50/night (off-peak), $45/night (hike-in tent sites, peak months) or $40/night (off-peak), and discounted yurt rates of $100 plus tax during specific off-peak windows. Confirm current pricing at stateparks.utah.gov.

A visit to the main overlook can take as little as 30-60 minutes, but allowing a half day or more lets visitors add a hike or bike ride on the mesa-top trails.

The park has two campgrounds (Kayenta and Wingate) plus yurts for those wanting to stay on-site. Moab, a short drive away, offers a much wider range of hotels, motels and vacation rentals for visitors who prefer not to camp.

The park has a coffee shop on-site as of research; a broader range of restaurants and cafes is available in nearby Moab, which serves as the main dining hub for visitors to this part of southeastern Utah.

Canyonlands National Park borders the park's views and is a short drive away for visitors wanting to explore further into the canyon country. Arches National Park and the town of Moab are also nearby, making it easy to combine multiple stops in one trip.

Canyonlands Field Airport near Moab offers limited regional flights; Salt Lake City and Grand Junction, Colorado are the nearest airports with fuller commercial service, both requiring a multi-hour drive. A personal or rental vehicle is the practical way to reach and explore the park.

The main overlook has steep, unguarded drop-offs in places, so keep a safe distance from cliff edges, especially with children. High-desert conditions mean sun exposure and dehydration risk are real concerns, so carry water on any hike. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and ample water are essential for the exposed mesa-top terrain. A camera is popular for the signature overlook, and sturdy footwear is recommended for the hiking and biking trails.

Sunrise and sunset draw the largest crowds at the main overlook, so arriving outside those windows can mean a quieter visit if solitude is preferred, or plan ahead if you want the classic photo. Reserve campsites and yurts well in advance, especially during peak spring and fall months, via the state park reservation system.

Dial 911 for any emergency. Campsite and yurt reservations can be made by calling 1-800-322-3770.

Utah State Parks - Dead Horse Point - https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.