Dead Horse Point State Park Rim Hike: Map & Tips

A Rainy Morning Above the Colorado River

Our morning at Dead Horse Point State Park began just after sunrise on a rainy November day. Normally, rain is not what I hope for when heading out on a hike, especially one known for its views. But on this particular morning, the clouds seemed to make everything more dramatic.

From the rim, we could see layer after layer of canyon walls disappearing beneath dark clouds, with the Colorado River winding through the landscape nearly 2,000 feet below. It was one of those times when less-than-perfect weather somehow made the view even better.

The rain didn’t stop us from walking, but it did change our plans. We had considered hiking the longer 8-mile Intrepid Trail-Big Chief Loop, but with the wet conditions, we opted instead for the easier East and West Rim Loop around Dead Horse Point.

It turned out to be a great rainy-day choice. Portions of the path near the Point were paved, and the trail was easy to navigate, with one spectacular canyon view after another. Even in the rain, we stopped far too many times for photos.

About Dead Horse Point State Park

Located about 30 miles from Moab, Dead Horse Point State Park sits high above the Colorado River and the surrounding canyon country. It is also conveniently located near the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, making it an easy addition to time spent exploring the Moab area.

The park offers miles of trails for both hiking and mountain biking, along with campgrounds, yurts, overlooks, a Visitor Center and one spectacular view after another. Open year-round from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Dead Horse Point requires an entrance fee. Check the official Dead Horse Point State Park website for current fees, hours and conditions before your visit.Trailhead & Parking

There are several places to access the rim trails, but our hike centered around Dead Horse Point itself.

The main overlook has a large parking area, with a short paved, ADA-accessible path leading to the overlook. Paved paths continue for a short distance in both directions before connecting with the East and West Rim trail systems.

Park Entrance & Visitor Center

Dead Horse Point State Park
UT-313, Moab, UT 84532

Follow UT-313 to the entrance of Dead Horse Point State Park. The Visitor Center is located along the main park road and is worth a stop before or after your hike.

Inside, you’ll find park information, exhibits, restrooms and a gift shop. We can personally vouch for the gift shop. We purchased far too many books there, which seemed like a perfectly good idea until we had to pack our luggage for the flight home.

An entrance fee is required. Check the official Dead Horse Point State Park website for current fees, hours and conditions before your visit.

Distance from Nearby Destinations

• Moab: 32 miles ( about 45 minutes)
• Arches National Park Visitor Center: 34 miles (about 45 minutes)
• Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky Visitor Center: 14 miles (about 20 minutes)
• Goblin Valley State Park: 100 miles (about 1 hour 45 minutes)

Trailhead & Parking for the East & West Rim Trails

Continue along the main park road past the Visitor Center to Dead Horse Point Overlook at the southern end of the park. A large parking area provides easy access to the overlook and the East and West Rim trails.

Hiking the East & West Rim Trails

The East and West Rim trails can be combined into a loop around Dead Horse Point, with several overlooks and spur trails along the way.

Near the main overlook, portions of the route are paved, with protective walls at some viewpoints. As you move farther along the rim, the trail transitions to dirt, exposed sandstone and slickrock.

The East Rim is generally the easier of the two sides, while the West Rim becomes a little more rugged. Overall, the trails have relatively little elevation change, making this an easy way to explore the rim without a particularly strenuous hike.

The View from Dead Horse Point

Dead Horse Point is the southernmost overlook in the park, and from here, the landscape seems to open in every direction. Nearly 2,000 feet below, the Colorado River curves around the Gooseneck before continuing through the canyon country.

Looking across the river to the west and southwest, Canyonlands National Park seems to stretch as far as you can see. To the southeast, Pyramid Butte rises from the midst of the surrounding canyon walls. At 5,158 feet, it looked surprisingly small against the scale of the landscape.

Turn toward the east, and there is another unexpected sight: the Potash Evaporation Ponds. These massive solar drying pools are used by Intrepid Potash to extract potassium chloride, or potash, for agricultural fertilizer. On sunny days, the ponds are known for their striking blue color. Under our stormy November sky, they reflected the clouds in shades of slate and white.

As we continued around the rim, the perspective kept changing. The river, buttes, mesas and canyon walls appeared and disappeared along the way, giving us another reason to stop at nearly every overlook.

Trail Map & Overview of Our Dead Horse Point Rim Hike

Hike difficulty classifications (link)
Difficulty	Easy
Geographic location	Southwestern Utah
Trailhead parking options	18630 Goblin Valley Road Green River, UT 84525
Trail amenities	Visitor Center (entrance), restrooms, camping; Entrance Fee
Elevation – trailhead	5,938′
Elevation – highest peak	5,938′
Elevation gain	571′
Total mileage	1.4 miles
Water sources	Restroom and water fountain at Visitor Center
Highlights	Massive views: red rock canyon walls and the valley floor and Colorado River, 2000′ below.

Protecting Dead Horse Point

Dead Horse Point sits in a high desert environment where plants and soils can be surprisingly fragile. Stay on established trails and durable surfaces, pack out everything you bring with you, and follow Leave No Trace principles while exploring.

The park is also designated as an International Dark Sky Park. We were there on a cloudy morning rather than a star-filled night, but visitors who stay after sunset may get an entirely different view of the park when they look up.

Learn More About Dead Horse Point State Park & Nearby Adventures

• Dead Horse Point State Park
• National Park Service Arches
• National Park Service Canyonlands
• Goblin Valley State Park

Keep Exploring Utah