Dead Horse Point

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 .6 OFF ICIA L US 1.2 EO NLY .9 GRAND CO. SAN JUAN CO. .8 Shafer Cyn 1.6 1.2 .3 .1 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 





Wasatch-Cashe N.F. Brigham City re at 43 Sa Weber lt La ke Davis 24 Salt Lake Tooele 25 ah 13 Wasatch Duchesne iv n Uintah ee Juab Gr 35 15 Ashley N.F. Uinta N.F. Nephi Price Manti-La Sal N.F. Carbon 44 Volunteers improve, protect, and preserve Utah State Parks. Individuals and couples may serve as camp hosts, greeters, educators, and interpreters. Families, service groups, and clubs are needed for fun and important projects. For volunteer opportunities call 801-538-7220 or email parksvolunteer@utah.gov. Delta 22 29 Fish Lake N.F. 27 Manti Gunnison 38 Millard Castle Dale 19 Grand Emery Green River 70 Richfield Sevier 14 Utah State Parks administers Utah’s boating program, including education, user compliance, accident investigation, and search and rescue. Utah law requires children under 13 years old to wear lifejackets when on a boat. Know the laws and navigation rules, and carry all required and suggested safety equipment. Sanpete Manti-La Sal N.F. Fillmore BOATING Arches N.P. 16 6 15 Beaver Beaver Fish Lake N.F.Junction 28 Capitol Reef N.P. Loa Wayne Hanksville Canyonlands N.P. Piute OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES Dixie N.F. Cedar Breaks N.M. Cedar City Bryce Canyon N.P. 36 Washington St. George do Ri er Manti-La Sal N.F. ra Co lo Monticello 10 Garfield 26 Boulder Natural Bridges N.R.A. Blanding Arches N.P. San Juan Glen Canyon N.R.A. 31 Zion N.P. Hurricane 34 17 Grand Staircase-Escalante N.M. Kane 5 La 20 11 Panguitch Parowan v 1 Dixie N.F. 15 Moab 30 Milford Iron Dinosaur N.M. 40 Uinta N.F. Utah Ut 37 Vernal Orem Provo 32 Wasatch-Cashe N.F. 7 Payson VOLUNTEERING ke Po w e l l Kanab UTAH STATE PARKS FIELD GUIDE STATEPARKS.UTAH.GOV CONTACT Utah State Parks and Recreation Administrative Office 1594 W. North Temple, Suite 116 P.O. Box 146001 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6001 801-538-7220 stateparks.utah.gov parkcomment@utah.gov FOR RESERVATIONS CALL: 801-322-3770 or toll-free 800-322-3770 OUR 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. YOUR PARK FEES PROVIDE FOR THE CARE, PROTECTION, AND ENHANCEMENT OF STATE PARKS. Photos: Utah State Parks and Recreation 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 or visit our website at stateparks.utah.gov. The Utah Department of Natural Resources receives federal aid and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability. For information or complaints regarding discrimination, contact: Executive Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 145610, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5610 or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1801 L Street, NW, Washington DC 20507-001. 03/19 Daggett Ashley N.F. Duchesne 42 41 Wasatch N.F. Utah State Parks is committed to accessibility in our programs, services, events, and facilities. For information about accessibility call 801-538-7220. Accessible campsites can be reserved online at utahstateparks.reserveamerica.com or by calling 1-800-322-3770. Stroll the boardwalks of Rock Cliff at Jordanelle, hike the trail of Sleeping Rainbows at Escalante Petrified Forest, and ride through lava flows at Snow Canyon. Explore state parks on foot, bike, or horseback. Always wear sturdy shoes and layered clothing, and carry water, sunscreen, and a first-aid kit. 33 Flaming Gorge N.R.A. Manila Summit Coalville Heber City 4 80 21 Salt Lake City Park City Lake Tooele 12 9 8 Morgan 39 80 ACCESSIBILITY TRAILS, HIKING, BIKING, AND HORSEBACK RIDING 84 Farmington 18 Wasatch-Cashe N.F. Morgan Ogden 2 Wendover The Heritage Program helps protect, preserve, research, and interpret our unique cultural and natural history resources for the enjoyment and education of all. We have Pony Express stops, dinosaur skeletons, and everything in between. Come travel back in time with us at our seven museums and many historical and paleontological areas. Rich er G To see what park passes are available and the qualifications for each pass, please visit stateparks.utah.gov/passes. Utah State Parks administers summer and winter off-highway vehicle (OHV) programs, including education, trail maintenance, grant programs, user compliance, accident investigations, and search and rescue. Always wear a helmet! (Helmets are required for riders 17 and under by Utah state law.) Operators ages 8–15 must possess an OHV education certificate. For more information, visit ohv.utah.gov. Utah State Parks Rainbow Bridge N.M. Hovenweep N.M. Bluff 41 42 43 44 UTAH STATE PARKS: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Explore the history and beauty of Utah’s state parks. Venture back in time through discovery of