Dead Horse Point State Park features a dramatic overlook of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. The park covers 5,362 acres (2,170 ha) of high desert at an altitude of 5,900 feet (1,800 m).
The park has several overlooks, a visitor center, a 21-site campground and a group campsite, one picnic area, and a 9-mile (14 km) loop hiking trail with two cutovers to allow shorter trips. Safety concerns include the relative isolation of the park (gas, food and medical care are over 30 miles (48 km) away in Moab), lightning danger and unfenced cliffs.
Guide to Utah Scenic Byways. Published by visitutah.com
Dead Horse Point SP
https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Horse_Point_State_Park
Dead Horse Point State Park features a dramatic overlook of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. The park covers 5,362 acres (2,170 ha) of high desert at an altitude of 5,900 feet (1,800 m).
The park has several overlooks, a visitor center, a 21-site campground and a group campsite, one picnic area, and a 9-mile (14 km) loop hiking trail with two cutovers to allow shorter trips. Safety concerns include the relative isolation of the park (gas, food and medical care are over 30 miles (48 km) away in Moab), lightning danger and unfenced cliffs.
Park Guidelines
Please observe the following park regulations to
ensure everyone’s visit is pleasant.
♦♦ Most overlooks are not fenced. Please use
extreme caution!
♦♦ Lightning danger is severe on exposed canyon
rims. Seek shelter in a building or vehicle during
thunderstorms.
♦♦ Stay on established trails. Follow signs and rock
cairns (stacks of rocks).
♦♦ Please do not throw rocks or objects off the cliffs.
♦♦ Drink plenty of water—one gallon per person per
day in summer.
♦♦ Wear a hat, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes while
hiking.
♦♦ Do not leave people or pets in vehicles. Sunlight
will heat up a vehicle’s interior to dangerous
levels. Cracking windows and leaving water is not
enough to ensure safety.
Gas, food, and medical care is available in Moab,
32 miles away. Come prepared and be safe to
prevent lengthy emergencies.
Camping — Camp only in designated areas. Each
camping permit covers one vehicle and any attached
recreational equipment. Up to eight people are
allowed in a campsite. There is an extra fee for
additional vehicles or camping equipment. Tents must
fit on tent pads or on the pavement in the campsite.
Fires — Fires are permitted in fire rings only. Gathering
firewood is prohibited. Firewood is available for
purchase. Charcoal may be used in grills.
Fireworks — Fireworks of any kind are prohibited.
Parking — Park only in designated areas.
Pets — Pets are allowed at Dead Horse Point State
Park, but must be on a maximum six-foot leash. For
safety and courtesy, please keep pets under control
and clean up after them. Pets are not allowed on the
Intrepid Trail System.
Plants and animals — All plants, animals, minerals,
and other natural features in state parks are protected.
It is unlawful to remove, alter, or destroy them.
Trails — Hiking trails are for foot traffic only. Please
stay on established trails. Bicycling is permitted on the
Intrepid Trail System and established roads. Motorized
vehicles must remain on established roads.
Vandalism — It is unlawful to damage or deface any
natural or constructed feature or structure. Please
help keep the park beautiful.
Wastewater — It is unlawful to dump or drain water
from campers or trailers onto the ground. A sanitary
disposal station is provided for registered campers.
Quiet hours — 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Park Location:
The park is located nine miles north of Moab on US 191
and 23 miles south on SR 313 at the end of the highway.
Operating Hours:
The park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for day-use yearround. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Address Inquiries To:
Dead Horse Point State Park
P.O. Box 609
Moab, UT 84532-0609
(435) 259-2614
or
Utah State Parks and Recreation
P.O. Box 146001
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6001
(801) 538-7220
stateparks.utah.gov
Gooseneck Meander of the Colorado River as seen from Dead Horse Point
Safety Tips
Bicycling — Bicycles and e-bikes are permitted on
established public roads and in parking areas. Singletrack mountain biking is available on the Intrepid Trail
System. Bikes are not allowed on hiking trails.
Dead Horse Point
State Park
Your park fees provide for the care, protection,
and enhancement of this park.
For Reservations Call:
(800) 322-3770
Utah State Parks Mission:
To enhance the quality of life by preserving and providing
natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the enjoyment,
education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
for the latest park updates.
facebook @DeadHorsePointStatePark
instagram @DeadHorsePoint
Information contained in this brochure was accurate at the time of
printing. Policies, facilities, fees, hours, and regulations, etc., change
as mandated. For updated information please contact the park.
Printed on recycled paper 4/19
Utah State Parks
DEAD HORSE POINT
ACTIVITIES
STATE PARK
The Legend of Dead Horse Point
A
ccording to one legend, the point was once used as a corral for
wild mustangs roaming the mesa. Cowboys rounded up these
horses and herded them across the narrow neck of land onto the
point. The neck, which is only 30 yards wide, was then fenced off
with branches and brush, creating a natural corral surrounded by
precipitous cliffs. The cowboys then chose the horses they wanted
and, for reasons unknown, left the other horses corralled on the
waterless point, where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado
River 2,000 feet below.
Plants and Animals
Moenkopi
Yurts
B
ecause the park receives only 10 inches of precipitation a year,
vegetation and wildlife have adapted to live in this arid desert
environment. Plants have developed ways of minimizing water loss,
maximizing water gain, and even going dormant during droughts. For
their seeds to take root, plants rely on cryptobiotic soil crusts, which
took hundreds of years to develop. Animals are often active during
cooler periods of the day while resting in the shade or burrows through
Mountain Bike
Trail Skill Level
N
W
E
Easiest
More Difficult
Most Difficult
S
Raven Roll
Intrepid
Great Pyramid
Big Chief
Crossroads
Whiptail
Twisted Tree
Prickly Pair
3.6
1.4
.5
1.2
.3
.2
.6
.4
1.2
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OFF
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1.2
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.9
GRAND CO.
SAN JUAN CO.
.8
Shafer Cyn
1.6
1.2
.3
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MTN BIKE
Trail Ranking
Raven Roll
Intrepid
Pyramid
Big Chief
Crossroads
Whiptail
Twisted Tree
Prickly Pair
.2
.3
UTM-610620-4260620
LEAST DIFFICULT
MORE DIFFICULT
MOST DIFFICULT
YOU ARE HERE
Dead Horse Point
State Park
0
0.25
0.5
0.75
1 Miles
DISTANCE BETWEEN
JUNCTIONS IN MILES
.4
Utah
T R AV E L G U I D E
225 miles
to Boise
230 miles
to Yellowstone
Sawtooth National Forest
155 miles to
Grand Teton
GARDEN CIT Y
15
84
Bear
Lake
89
LOGAN
R ANDOLPH
GOLDEN SPIKE
NTL. HISTORIC PARK
30
15
39
BRIGHAM
CIT Y
Cache
National
Forest
OGDEN
Great
Salt Lake
400 miles
to Reno
84
EVANSTON
FLAMING GORGE
NTL. REC. AREA
150
80
SALT LAKE CITY
191
80
WENDOVER
215
K AMA S
PARK CIT Y
Uinta
National
Forest
TOOELE
Wasatch
National
Forest
TIMPANOGOS CAVE
NTL. MONUMENT
Utah
Lake
36
DINOSAUR
NTL. MONUMENT
VERNAL
HEBER CIT Y
35
191
40
PROVO
40
300 miles
to Denver
ive
r
DUCHESNE
Wasatch
National
Forest
89
Ashley
National
Forest
Manti-La Sal
National
Forest
Gr
Uinta
National
Forest
ee
nR
191
6
PRICE
31
6
15
Fishlake
National
Forest
12 miles
to Great
Basin
50
JURASSIC
NTL. MONUMENT
MANTI
28
C A STLE DALE
6
10
257
FILLMORE
70
RICHFIELD
GREEN RIVER
70
ARCHES
NATIONAL PARK
24
Fishlake
National
Forest
24
30 miles
to Grand
Junction
191
128
MOAB
21
CAPITOL REEF
NATIONAL PARK
15
89
62
BEAVER
Manti-La Sal
National
Forest
24
CANYONLANDS
NATIONAL PARK
TORREY
95
89
CEDAR CIT Y
PANGUITCH
276
ESC AL ANTE
12
CEDAR BREAKS
NTL. MONUMENT
Dixie
National
Forest
MONTICELLO
491
Manti-La Sal
National
Forest
NATURAL BRIDGES
NTL. MONUMENT
BL ANDING
GLEN CANYON
NTL. REC. AREA
BRYCE CANYON
NATIONAL PARK
ZION
NATIONAL PARK
9
95
K ANAB
180 miles to
Grand Canyon
To request a free Official Utah Highway Map, please contact
the Utah Department of Transportation at 801-965-4000
or the Utah Office of Tourism at 801-538-1900
89
GRAND STAIRCASE–
ESCALANTE NTL. MONUMENT
Lake Powell
55 miles
to Mesa
Verde
HOVENWEEP
NTL. MONUMENT
BEARS
261 EARS
NTL. MONUMENT
BLUFF
SPRINGDALE
ST. GEORGE
110 miles
to Las Vegas
ve
r
Ri
Dixie
National
Forest
Dixie
National
Forest
PAROWAN
191
12
Co
lo
ra
do
130
MONUMENT
VALLEY
National Forest
MEXIC AN
HAT
162
Four Corners Area
FOUR CORNERS
MONUMENT
National Park
State Park
TRAVEL GUIDE CONTENTS
FOREVER MIGHTY®
PAGE 2
Forever Mighty means preparing for the outdoors and traveling mindfully.
Use these resources to help you plan and prepare for your visit.
THE BUCKET LIST
PAGE 4
Ride with bison, raft the West’s best whitewater, rappel down slot canyons, then
hook a trophy trout — and your vacation is just getting started. Fulfill — or create
— your Utah Bucket List with these nine unforgettable adventures.
GETTING HERE & AROUND
PAGE 10
Getting to Utah is easy, and with a little know-how, getting around is also a breeze.
Traveling in Utah means falling in love with Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY & THE WASATCH FRONT
PAGE 12
You think you know Salt Lake? Immerse yourself in the experiences that truly
define this vibrant city and the greater Wasatch Front.
DINING GUIDE
3
4
5
6
7
PAGE 16
Get to know the sophisticated culinary side of Utah with help from a renowned
dining critic. This roundup is a mere stepping off point of can’t-miss eateries
from Salt Lake City and around the state.
THE GREATEST SNOW ON EARTH ®
PAGE 24
Zip up your coat, then point your skis or board down your choice of nearly 1,000
runs at 14 ski resorts. Repeat. This is your guide to getting here, getting around
and making the most of winter on your Utah ski vacation.
TOP RATED UTAH
PAGE 30
Travelers to Utah love their experiences so much they can’t resist sharing them
with the world. Here are several top attractions trending on TripAdvisor that
deserve a spot on your vacation itinerary.
PARKS & OUTDOORS
PAGE 36
Your adventure starts with The Mighty 5 national parks. It continues with
multiple national monuments, recreation areas and state parks plus vast
stretches of national forest and open lands filling the space between them.
®
SCENIC BYWAYS
PAGE 50
The lure of the open road is strong in Utah. No matter where you drive here,
there’s a scenic way to get where you’re going. These seven scenic byways
will fill your eyes with Utah’s iconic visual splendor.
HERITAGE & ARTS
PAGE 56
Utah has a variety of art and history destinations, as well as a vibrant art, theater,
film, festival and music scene. Utah’s pioneer and indigenous heritage is the
foundation, and our uniquely contemporary offerings include a thriving Olympic
spirit, inspiring earth art and rural artist communities.
BEFORE YOU GO & RESOURCES
PAGE 64
Traveling to Utah is an adventure. It helps to come prepared, always with a little
knowledge, sometimes with gear and supplies. Here are a few tips to help you
start planning and packing for Utah.
Join us
in keeping Utah
FOREVER MIGHTY ®
Utah welcomes all adventurers who care for people and place. As you travel through
Utah, we ask you to:
BE PREPARED FOR THE OUTDOORS
BE MINDFUL OF THE PLACES YOU VISIT
Forever Mighty means knowing how to Leave No Trace in the outdoors, support local
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for good on social media.
TRAVEL TIP #1:
TRAVEL TI
Utah is the place where prehistory intersects with the enduring spirit of
the Old West. Wild, adventure-rich places cradle vibrant urban centers.
With interstates and airplanes, the world can feel pretty small. On Utah’s
designated scenic byways, the world feels grand; its horizons seem
infinite. As you drive through Utah, you’ll inevitably encounter many of
the state’s scenic byways. In total, Utah’s distinct topography provides
the surface for 27 scenic byways, which add up to hundreds of miles of
vivid travel experiences wherein the road trip is as memorable as the
destination. Utah’s All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12 headlines the
network of top roads thanks to landscapes and heritage unlike anywhere
else in the nation.
All of Utah’s scenic byways are explorative journeys filled with trailheads,
scenic overlooks, museums, local flavors and vibrant communities
where you can stop for the night or hook up your RV. Not sure where
to start? In the following pages, you’ll discover monumental upheavals
of exposed rock strata among multiple national and state parks along
the All-American Road (pg. 4); dense concentrations of fossils along
Dinosaur Diamond (pg. 8); and the blazing red cliffs and deep blue
waters of Flaming Gorge–Uintas (pg. 12) — and that’s just in the first
three highlighted byways. Your journey continues down two dozen
additional byways, arranged north to south.
Best of all, these byways access an outdoor adventureland you can hike,
fish, bike, raft, climb and explore from sunup to sundown — then stay
up to welcome the return of the Milky Way. But get some sleep. There’s
more road ahead.
Vicki Varela
Managing Director, Utah Office of Tourism, Film and Global Branding
2
Bear Lake
GARDEN CITY
15
84
1
LOGAN
30
16
BRIGHAM CITY
3
15
5
OGDEN
Great
Salt Lake
80
84
4
Flaming
Gorge
MANILA
ANTELOPE ISLAND
STATE PARK
SALT LAKE CITY
80
WENDOVER
150
11
191
PARK CITY
6
196
DINOSAUR
NTL. MONUMENT
VERNAL
7
TOOELE
8
35
40
PROVO
Utah
Lake
9
DUCHESNE
40
TIMPANOGOS CAVE
NTL. MONUMENT
12
191
6
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89
96
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10
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PRICE
31
15
6
89
28
191
MANTI
CASTLE DALE
50
6
100
GREEN RIVER
10
FILLMORE
257
70
70
RICHFIELD
ARCHES
NATIONAL PARK
24
24
13
16
GOBLIN VALLEY
STATE PARK
25
MOAB
313
15
89
15
LOA
62
BEAVER
CAPITOL REEF
NATIONAL PARK
17
14
24
HANKSVILLE
CANYONLANDS
NATIONAL PARK
TORREY
95
18
23
89
24
191
211
Co
lo
ra
do
130
12
ve
r
20
Ri
21
BOULDER
PAROWAN
CEDAR CITY
21
15
27
95
276
22
ZION
NATIONAL PARK
59
89
NATURAL BRIDGES
NTL. MONUMENT
BLANDING
95
BRYCE CANYON
NATIONAL PARK
9
ST. GEORGE
12
19
26
SNOW CANYON
STATE PARK
ESCALANTE
143
20
MONTICELLO
PANGUITCH
HOVENWEEP
NTL. MONUMENT
25
276
GRAND STAIRCASE–ESCALANTE
NATIONAL MONUMENT
261
BLUFF
163
491
SPRINGDALE
KANAB
MEXICAN HAT
89
Lake Powell
MONUMENT
VALLEY
191
FOUR CORNERS
MONUMENT
160
~ National Forest
~ National Park/Monument
•
City
Paved Road
Unpaved Road
=
Interstate
--------
1. Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway
2. Bear Lake Scenic Byway
3. Ogden River Scenic Byway
4. Great Salt Lake Legacy Parkway
5. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
6. Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway
7. Little Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway
8. Provo Canyon Scenic Byway
9. Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway
10. Energy Loop: Huntington & Eccles Canyon Ntl. Scenic Byway
11. Flaming Gorge–Uintas National Scenic Byway
12. Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway–Ntl. Scenic Byway
13. Dead Horse Mesa Scenic Byway
14. Potash–Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway
---
-----
15. Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway
16. Fish Lake Scenic Byway
17. Capitol Reef Country Scenic Byway
18. Scenic Byway 12 All-American Road
19. Utah’s Patchwork Parkway National Scenic Byway
20. Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway
21. Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway
22. Mount Carmel Scenic Byway
23. Bicentennial Highway
24. Indian Creek Scenic Byway
25. Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway
26. Kolob Fingers Road Scenic Byway
27. Zion Park Scenic Byway
GUIDE CONTENTS
HIGHLIGHTS
DINOSAUR DIAMOND PREHISTORIC
HIGHWAY NATIONAL SCENIC BY WAY
PAGE 08
ALL-AMERICAN ROAD:
SCENIC BYWAY 12
PAGE 04
Thor’s Hammer, Bryce Canyon National Park | Larry Price
Look for the
Geocaching logo
throughout this
guide to see how
many caches are
placed on or near
each byway
Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, Vernal | Mark Osler
FLAMING GORGE – UINTAS
NATIONAL SCENIC BY WAY
PAGE 12
Flaming Gorge | Dan Ransom
~I
Explore more road
trips and itineraries at
visitutah.com/itineraries
.__ ________
02
visitutah.com/scenicbyways
__J
The Hogsback, All-American Highway: Scenic Byway 12 | Michael Kunde
NORTH TO SOUTH
LOGAN CANYON TO OGDEN RIVER SCENIC BY WAY LOOP
16
GREAT SALT LAKE LEGACY PARKWAY SCENIC BY WAY
20
MIRROR LAKE SCENIC BY WAY
21
BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON SCENIC BY WAY
22
LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON SCENIC BY WAY
23
PROVO RIVER SCENIC BY WAY
24
NEBO LOOP