Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point State Park is a nature reserve in Utah that spreads across high desert land and offers a view of the Colorado River winding a thousand feet below the cliff edges. The main overlook sits at the end of a narrow peninsula surrounded by steep canyon walls, opening onto a panorama of red rock formations.

The park opened to visitors in 1959 after the land had previously been used as open grazing ground for livestock. In the 1800s the natural peninsula served cowboys as a corral for wild mustangs, which were driven through the narrow access point and fenced in there.

Dead Horse Point takes its name from a time when cowboys gathered wild mustangs on this natural peninsula, accessible only through a narrow neck of land. Today the spot serves as one of the most visited viewpoints in the Colorado Plateau, drawing photographers and nature lovers from around the world.

Access to the main overlook follows a paved road that branches off from nearby Route 313 and winds through desert vegetation. The visitor center sits near the entrance and provides information about hiking trails, camping options, and current weather conditions on the high plateau.

The park holds certification as a Dark Sky Park and offers a clear view of the Milky Way and constellations after sunset without light pollution from surrounding cities. On clear nights the sky above the canyon appears like a dark cloth with thousands of glowing points.