If you are fully captivated by geology, then you should give it a full scope at Dead State Park near the small city of Moab. As an illustration, the bones of the planet are fully exploded here. Moreover, you will be enthralled by beautiful sunsets while you trek in this beautiful place. For this, reason this wonderful background is a unique place which you must put on your list of places to visit.
Activity/Place Highlights
At sunset, the cliffs and mesas glow with an incarnadine light that seems to issue from within the rock. Moreover, while 2,000 feet (610) meters below, the Colorado River glimmers like quicksilver. Additionally, it uncoils sinuously on its 1,400-mile (2,253 kilometer) run to the Gulf of California. In fact, the 5,200-acre (2.140 hectare) park was first exploited by local cowpokes seeking wild mustangs.
Furthermore, the best view is looking southwest from overlook. From here, you can see the gooseneck of the Colorado River with Canyonlands National Park in the background. Also, there are several hiking trails to explore. All of them are flat and rated as easy to moderate. You can hike them all (if you plan to spend an entire day in the park) or pick your favorites.
The East Rim Trail is 2 miles long, one way, if you hike from the Visitor Center to Dead Horse Point Overlook. In addition, the views from this side of the mesa are nice but the West Rim Trail is more spectacular.
The West Rim Trail will captivate you with jaw-dropping views across the Colorado River to Canyonlands National Park. Furthermore, with short sections of rock scrambling, this trail is the highlight of this beautiful place.
Finally, at Dead Horse Point itself, a flat promontory accessible only by a narrow neck of land served as a natural corral for captured ponies.
How to get there
From Moab, (Canyonlands Field Airport, CNY) drive 9 miles (14km) northwest in U.S. 191. Then head southwest on Utah 313 for as far as you can go (about 23 miles/37 km) to reach the park entrance.
When to go
Summers are punishing in southern Utah, so go in spring or fall. Even then, midday temperatures can be trying. Additionally, for the ultimate experience, visit at dusk or dawn, when alpenglow suffuses the cliffs and spires with fluorescent pink light.
How long
Meanwhile, one day is enough to enjoy the beautiful highlights of this wonderful place.
Opening and Closing Hours
As it is a natural place, the opening and closing hours are from 6 am to 10 pm year round.
Planning
Here, day-use park entry fees are valid at Dead Horse Point State Park for three consecutive days starting on the date of purchase.
Prices: $20 per vehicle for up to 8 people, valid for 3 days; $10 per motorcycle; $4 per bicycle.
Also, booking reservations are only available for campsites, and it is necessary a reservation on a four-month rolling basis.
Inside Information
Today, the park constitutes a requisite side-trip for anyone visiting Moab, a recreational mecca for mountain bikers, rock climbers, and desert trekkers.
Furthermore, camping is available, and trails wend across the landscape, affording varied perspectives at every switchback.
Indeed, watch where you’re going, though; this is a place of extreme topography, and an accident, as locals say in their characteristically understated fashion, could ruin your day.
History
The legend of Dead Horse Point states that around the turn of the century the point was used as a corral for wild mustangs roaming the mesa top.
In fact, cowboys herded them across the narrow neck of land and onto the point. The neck was then fenced off with branches and brush. One time, for some unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below.
Websites
www.utah.com/dead-horse-point-state-park, www.discovermoab.com
Other nearby attractions
In addition,the park is 32 miles from the city of Moab. Within driving distance to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks as well as many biking and four-wheeling destinations.
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