Sure, there’s Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, but Moab’s state parks are just as stunning and deserve just as much attention, such as Dead Horse Point State Park. One of the best ways to experience Dead Horse Point State Park is hiking the trail system inside the park. Relatively easy hiking trails and beautiful views at almost every turn, make this state park one of the best destinations in the area. Uncover its beauty with the best trails in Dead Horse Point State Park.
The park is a minimal peninsula of land that extends from the large plateau that is part of the Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district. The 8-mile trail system can be done with several short hiking spurs as you drive from one overlook to the next, or you can connect them for one entire loop around the park. Connecting eight different overlooks, the trail system is relatively easy and light in terms of technical terrain and elevation gain.
Visitor Center
A great place to start your hike through Dead Horse Point State Park is at the Visitor Center. The visitor center offers a very easy 1/8 of a mile paved path that offers views of the basin to the east. Here you can connect to the East Rim Trail.
East Rim Trail
The East Rim Trail is a 1.5-mile (one way) trail that travels along the eastern side of the mesa. This route provides a fun way to see this side of the park vs. driving the main road. Along the way, enjoy views of the La Sal Mountains, sage brush flats, and juniper forests. Roughly half way, hikers will come to the Basin Overlook spur. This adds about a half mile to the length of the East Rim Trail. This overlook provides more secluded views of the canyon below.
Deadhorse Point Overlook
The East Rim Trail ends at the popular Deadhorse Point Overlook. This overlook provides views of the Colorado River and the sprawling canyon 2,000 feet below. Here is where you can either turn back along the East Rim Trail towards the visitor center or continue to the West Rim Trail system.
West Rim Trail
The West Rim Trail system is the longest in the park at 2.5 miles. The West Rim is more primitive and less traveled than the East Rim Trail. There are three overlook spurs along the trail: The Rim Overlook, the Shafer Canyon Overlook, and the Meander Overlook, adding about a mile to your hike. Enjoy stunning views of Shafer Canyon and the meandering Colorado River.
Bighorn Overlook Trail
The Bighorn Overlook Trail is the longest spur from the West Rim Trail at 1.5 miles, one way. The somewhat isolated trail rivals the views of Deadhorse Point Overlook, making this one of the best trails in Dead Horse Point State Park.
Where to stay in Moab
Located only 33 miles from the best trails in Dead Horse Point State Park is the Hotel Moab Downtown. With not many lodging options near the park, most visitors make Moab their home base. Hotel Moab is located in the center of town next to restaurants, shops, and attractions in the area. Our comfortable and affordable rooms feature today’s modern amenities and come in a variety of bed configurations. Enjoy amenities such as our pool, perfect for cooling off after a long day of hiking.
Browse our accommodations and start planning your Utah adventure today!