Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point State Park is a public park in southeastern Utah notable for a dramatic high mesa and a panoramic overlook over the Colorado River and carved canyon landscape. The site is famed for its broad canyon vistas from a single, easily accessible viewpoint.

The park’s main attraction is the mesa-top overlook that provides sweeping views of the Colorado River and the surrounding canyon country; the viewpoint sits several hundred metres above the river and frames broad meanders and layered canyon walls. There is also a compact visitor area and a network of short trails and viewpoints around the mesa that allow closer inspection of the rim and geological features.

The area was developed as a state park with managed viewpoints, trails and basic visitor facilities to protect the mesa-edge scenery while allowing public access. Over time the site has become a popular spot for landscape photography, short hikes and scenic drives.

The park occupies a high sandstone bench in southeastern Utah near the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands and is accessed from the Moab region. It sits within the broader canyon country of the Colorado Plateau, offering clear views across the river-cut landscape.

• Overlook drop: The principal viewpoint looks down roughly 2,000 feet (about 600 metres) to the Colorado River and canyon floor, making it a prime spot for panoramic photography.
• Best time to visit: Sunrise and sunset deliver the strongest light and color contrasts on the canyon walls and are the most popular times for photographers.

What to See #

• Dead Horse Point Overlook: The main overlook sits on a high sandstone mesa and provides a wide, 180-degree view across a carved canyon where the Colorado River runs far below.
• Visitor area and trail network: A small visitor area and trail network offer short walks to additional viewpoints and picnic spots around the mesa.