Yurts & Nature Trail ~ Dead Horse Point State Park

Visiting Dead Horse Point State Park is simply a must to do when touring the Canyonlands Island In The Sky. This Utah State Park is located on the same high mesa as the National Park, which is a nice convenience when doing a day trip. Best of all, the views from Dead Horse Point overlook some of the most famous features in the entire Moab region, which include Thelma & Louise Point, the potash ponds and part of the Colorado River Goosenecks. Dead Horse Point is also located on the edge of the Kane Creek Anticline, which is one of the most bizarre looking landscapes in the entire west! 

It is easy to see that Dead Horse Point State Park offers plenty to experience, so this destination is a nice choice for an extended stay. Just like with many other Utah State Parks, glamping is an option at Dead Horse Point, which has been a popular camping mode in recent years. Glamping is basically defined as a campground that provides unique shelters for  group or family excursions. The shelters can range from traditional large yurts and teepees to sophisticated space age tent designs that look as if they belong on Mars. The glamping mode most often goes for a premium price, but amenities like sanitation facilities, camp grills, firewood and running water are usually included in the mix. All that a glamper has to do is show up with personal equipment and everything else is ready to go. A locally sponsored company provides ATV, mountain bike, rafting or horseback ride rentals on site and organized group events are often part of the program.

Booking a yurt or traditional campsite reservation way ahead of time at Dead Horse Point State Park is the only way to go, because this is one of the most popular campgrounds in the entire Moab region. Not everybody likes to plan that far ahead and for those who prefer to meander, this State Park is small enough to tour in one half day. It only takes about three hours to experience the multiple scenic overlooks and the two rim hiking trails if a visitor is in a hurry. To be more realistic, being in a hurried mode is nearly impossible to do after stepping into this park, because the majestic views from the mesa top have a way of turning a quick visit into an all day adventure.

The Dead Horse Point State Park Visitor Center should be the first stop when doing a tour, because this is where detailed trail maps can be found. The background of how this place got its name is also explained, which is topic that that may be a bit too graphic for some. Best of all, the visitor center has an observation platform and there is a short nature trail adjacent to the building, which is perfect for stretching the legs after the long drive. The Nature Trail is also good for those who have a fear of heights, because the two rim trails run right along the edge of the towering cliffs.

Dead Horse Point certainly is an exciting day trip destination and it is a good choice for a basecamp because there is so much to experience here and in the neighboring Canyonlands National Park. Arches National Park is also only a few miles away and so is the rest of Moab, so it is easy to see why this is such a popular place to set up camp. Once again, if an extended stay is in the plans, it is best to make reservations way ahead of time because the campgrounds here have been known to be booked solid through an entire summer season. During the off seasons the chances are better, but the weather can be brutally cold. This all comes with the territory when being one of the top destinations in the Moab region!