Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point Overlook at Arches National Park offers sweeping views of the Colorado River and layered canyon walls.

Red sandstone cliffs frame a vast panorama as the Colorado River braids into goosenecks far below. The neck of the peninsula sits on a high mesa about 2,000 feet above the river, big views from every angle. This is an entrenched meander—downcutting by the river during uplift left the canyon perched above a deep, dramatic landscape.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 38.487767, -109.735997
Accessibility: Paved trails to several viewpoints; visitor center with disabled facilities

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Moab area
Nearby Facilities: Visitor Center, campgrounds, restrooms, potable water
Best Time To Visit: Open year-round. Spring and Fall bring milder temperatures; Sunrise and Sunset illuminate the canyon in warm light; Midday visits are hot and crowds grow in peak season.
Tips Advice: The overlook sits 2,000 feet above the river—stay behind rails.
Bring water, hat, and sunscreen; desert climate is extreme.
Parking can fill early—arrive before 8am during peak season.
East Rim Trail to the overlook is 1.5 miles one-way; plan time.
Wear sturdy footwear; uneven slickrock is common.
Cell service is spotty; download offline maps and share your plan.
Best light is sunrise or sunset for photos.
Insider Tips: Fill water storage before entering park;
The 30-yard neck silhouette is iconic; photograph from rim trails;
Parking can be tight—use the Visitor Center lot first

More details

Park Area: Moab, Utah
Family Friendly Notes: Explain cliff hazards to children; hold hands near edges; use rails and designated paths
Attraction Type: Geological Formation
Elevation Feet: 5900
Distance From Entrance: 1.5 miles one-way to Overlook via East Rim Trail (from Visitor Center)
Accessibility Level: Drive-up view; paved access to several viewpoints; some overlooks accessible with railings
How To Get There: From Moab, drive a paved road into Dead Horse Point State Park; follow signs to the Visitor Center and Dead Horse Point Overlook; parking is available at the Visitor Center and overlooks.
Parking Availability: Paved parking at the Visitor Center and overlooks; parking can be challenging during peak times.
Road Type: Paved
Seasonal Access: Open year-round; Summer heat can be extreme; Spring/Fall milder; Sunrise/Sunset best
Entry Fees: Varies
Main Features: Dead Horse Point Overlook, Colorado River goosenecks, entrenched meander, 2,000-foot canyon, 30-yard neck
What Youll See: Colorado River goosenecks snaking through the canyon; layered Pennsylvanian–Jurassic sandstone walls; distant La Sal Mountains
Unique Characteristics: Peninsula neck ~30 yards wide; 2,000-foot drop; entrenched meander showcasing river downcut during uplift
Safety Considerations: 2,000-foot drop; extreme desert temperatures; uneven terrain; stay behind rails; carry ample water; wear sturdy footwear
Best Viewpoints: Dead Horse Point Overlook; additional overlooks reachable via the Rim Trails
Photo Opportunities: Golden-hour glow across canyon walls; silhouettes of goosenecks; dramatic shadows on layered rock
Photography Spots: Overlook platforms; rim-edge vantage points; goosenecks along the Colorado
Sunrise Sunset Quality: Golden-hour illumination at sunrise and sunset
Visitor Center Present: 1
Restrooms Available: 1
Restroom Type: Flush toilets at Visitor Center; vault toilets elsewhere
Picnic Areas: 0
Interpretive Signs: 1
Cell Service: Spotty; LTE up to 3 bars at the Visitor Center; limited at overlooks
Water Available: 1
Guided Tours Available: 0
Trailheads Here: East Rim Trail; Intrepid Trail System
Connecting Trails: East Rim Trail, Intrepid Trail System; interconnected rim viewpoints
Nearby Services: Visitor Center, restrooms, potable water, interpretive signs, campgrounds
Common Wildlife: Desert-adapted wildlife; nocturnal species; juniper-piñon forest inhabitants
Best Wildlife Times: Evenings and mornings
Geological Formation Type: Entrenched meander; peninsula/mesa
Scientific Interest: 300–150 million-year sedimentary sequence; La Sal Mountains 25–48 million years old; uplift from Farallon plate subduction; river downcutting records tectonics and erosion
Road Opening Dates: Open year-round; no seasonal road closures
Snow Lingering: Occasional light snow in winter; melts quickly
Winter Access: Year-round access; colder conditions; shorter daylight
Best Visit Times: Spring and Fall; sunrise/sunset provide best light; avoid the heat of midday in Summer
Best Season: Spring and Fall; park open year-round
Weather Patterns: Desert climate; hot summers; mild springs/fall; clear skies common
Peak Fill Times: Parking can fill early; plan to arrive before 8am during peak season; overflow parking may be limited
Busiest Season: Summer
Fishing Nearby: 0
Swimming Allowed: 0
Boating Allowed: 0
Climbing Areas: 0
Review Summary: The site earns high marks (4.8/5 from thousands of reviews) for its panoramic canyon panorama and clear geological storytelling; parking can be tight during peak times, but the expansive views and sedimentary layering make the visit worthwhile.

Location

Photos

Dead Horse Point overlook above the canyon in Dead Horse Point State Park, Arches National Park.

Dead Horse Point overlook at sunset in Arches National Park, with layered canyons and a river below.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?

Parking fills early, especially in summer. Plan to arrive before 8am and be prepared to use overflow areas; if you can, come during off-peak hours for a calmer visit.

Is the 1.5-mile East Rim Trail worth the hike to the overlook?

Yes. The 1.5-mile one-way climb rewards you with expansive canyon panoramas and closer views of the goosenecks; wear sturdy footwear and pace yourself for the desert heat.

Can I bring kids to the overlook area?

Yes, but keep them away from cliff edges and hold hands near rails; designate a safe viewing area and supervise closely in the high-desert environment.

Is cell service reliable at the overlook?

Cell service is spotty away from the Visitor Center; download offline maps and share your plan before you go to avoid getting lost.

Is there a place to get water or restrooms without venturing far from the overlook?

Yes. The Visitor Center has potable water and restrooms; some campgrounds also offer facilities, but plan to refuel and refill at the Visitor Center before heading to the viewpoints.