We started our trip toward MOAB, Utah, from Capitol Reef, taking Route 24 to Interstate 70. We took Exit 182 (Route 191) to Route 313 to an unknown State Park. (We were going to arrive in Moab too early to check in to our hotel, so we decided to visit the state park in the area for a few hours). Well, let me tell you right now that Dead Horse Point State Park is an incredible state park! You can hike easy Rim Trails to your heart's content and be amazed at all the beauty you can see from the rim of the canyon trail.
So, now you are wondering how this state park got its very unusual name.
Well, according to Dead Horse Point State Park legend, in the 19th century, Cowboys used this area to corral wild mustangs they found on the mesa.
Unfortunately, some mustangs died of exposure to the elements and the lack of water available to them on the point, hence the name Dead Horse Point State Park! This park is located only 32 miles from Moab, UT, between Canyonlands and Arches. It will take you around 45 minutes to drive to Dead Horse from Moab. Going from Capitol Reef National Park to Dead Horse is approximately 145 miles (2 hours and 20 minutes).
Dead Horse Point State Park towers 2,000 feet above the Colorado River. It dramatically looks out over the river and has breathtaking views of the scenic buttes and pinnacles of Canyonlands National Park. While hiking the park's Rim Trails, you will also see potash ponds and the La Sal Mountains in the distance. Dead Horse Point State Park has 7 miles of hiking trails with eight connecting overlooks that look way down into the deep canyon. The easy, flat East Rim Trail is a 1.5-mile hike between the Visitor's Center and Dead Horse Point. The Basin Overlook Spur Trail will add another additional mile to your hike. It has spectacular views of the canyon country below. The West Rim Trail is the longest hiking trail and is a more primitive area to hike. It also has fewer people hiking the trail. You must follow stacked rock trails (called "cairns") to navigate the Slickrock and sandstone areas. The Gooseneck Overlook on the rim is one of our favorite places to take selfies. It has beautiful views of the mountains and a fabulous scenic bend in the mighty Colorado River.
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Moab is a city in eastern Utah. It’s a gateway to massive red rock formations in Arches National Park. Southwest, Canyonlands National Park features mesas and buttes carved by the Green and Colorado rivers, plus Native American rock art. Dinosaur tracks can be found at sites like Bull Canyon Overlook and Copper Ridge. In the city, collections at the Museum of Moab include dinosaur bones and archaeological artifacts.
Also, this park may look a little familiar to all of you "movie fans" out there.
It was where the most famous scene in the 1990 movie Thelma and Louise was filmed. You probably remember the car with Thelma and Louise plunging over the canyon's edge (which was supposed to be the Grand Canyon in the film). The plunge was really filmed at Dead Horse Point State Park! So, there you go! Go visit the park so you can try to figure out exactly where that scene was shot! (I bet the Park Rangers know the exact location!)
So, on your trip from Capitol Reef to the Moab area, remember to make at least a half-day stop at Dead Horse Point State Park!! You will be amazed by the stunning scenery at this beautiful state park and the canyon views right there in front of you.
Remember that there are no guardrails on the rim hiking trails, and it is a very long way down to the canyon floor.
Use extreme caution, and stay away from the edge while walking the trails. (Important Note: If you can perform a handstand, that is awesome! You must be in terrific shape. However, please do not do a handstand on a flat rock at the edge of a 2,000 ft. canyon!! That is exactly what we saw on one of our hikes at this state park. Do you not believe it? Well, just look at the picture we took!) This is total verification that people are crazy out there!
I guarantee, however, that you will always want to stop and visit Dead Horse Point State Park whenever you are anywhere near Moab, Utah! Hopefully, on your trip to this state park, you will not see a crazy thrill seeker perform a handstand at the canyon's edge like we did! And, if you are wondering…we did get out of there as fast as we could (after we took our picture proving exactly what we saw, of course)!!
My next article will be about Arches National Park…another fantastic National Park in America to visit with the world's most incredible naturally formed arches! Can it get any better than that?
The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the Visitor's Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entrance fee into the park is $10.00 (and it is well worth the cost). This state park is 5,900 feet above sea level, has great mountain ("family-friendly") biking trails, is pet friendly, and is an International Dark Sky Park. Many people visit this state park at night to stargaze because it has the most premier views of the night skies in the area. There are no cities within sight, it is not hard to get to, and it is located on a very high plateau with mountains far away. Perfect for viewing the beautiful celestial night sky!
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