Dead Horse Point State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Occupying a spectacular cliff top overlooking the Colorado River, Dead Horse Point State Park features incredible vistas of the colorful red rock formations and canyons of the high desert region around Moab, Utah. The park's name dates back to the 19th century when cowboys would corral horses on top of the rock peninsula and leave some of the animals there that they didn't need. Over time, these horses perished due to the heat and the lack of water access. Despite its morbid name, Dead Horse Point provides visitors with an amazing landscape featured in many films and TV shows. Explore the park on a hiking or biking trail, or come at night to stargaze. Additionally, you can use the campground at the park as a base camp to explore the nearby Arches and Canyonlands national parks.
Nearby Cities:
Moab, UT
Green River, UT
Monticello, UT
La Sal, UT
Spring 49-73 F
Summer 62-86 F
Fall 32-50 F
Winter 26-45 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Dead Horse Point State Park
Campground Accommodations
Kayenta Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 60 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, shade structures, modern restrooms
Wingate Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 56 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, shade shelters, fire rings, restrooms, dishwashing station, dump station
Kane Creek Campground and RV Park
Located minutes from the park entrance and directly along the banks of the Colorado River, Kane Creek Campground and RV Park is a destination in its own right. With one-of-a-kind views and proximity to all the area attractions that brought you to the Moab area in the first place, you’re sure to enjoy your stay even if you never venture off-campus… though we highly suggest you do!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: n/a
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: free on-site showers
Sun RV Resorts: Moab Valley
This nationwide chain is a sought-after place to stay for a reason, and the Moab Valley location is no exception. Along with generously-sized, pull-through RV slots, the park also offers a wide range of on-site amenities ranging from a life-size chess board to a specially-designated dog park for Fido.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: playground, pool, barbecue pavilion, putting green, store, bicycle repair station, on-site campground store, dog park, bath house, laundry facilities
Portal RV Resort
Another Moab-area go-to, Portal RV Resort features well-manicured, full-hookup sites as well as access to resort luxuries like the pool, spa, and enclosed dog park. Just be sure to read the rules and regulations ahead of time, as not ever RV is eligible to stay at this exclusive campground.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: pool, spa, dog park, laundry facilities, bath house, spring-fed swimming pond and more
What to Do at
Dead Horse Point State Park
Dead Horse Point State Park offers numerous easy-to-moderate hiking trails that will give you outstanding views of the canyon and Colorado River below you. For mountain biking enthusiasts, several trails in the park will get your adrenaline pumping as you navigate the slickrock. The park's location, far from big cities and light pollution, also makes it a great place to view the night sky.
Dead Horse Point offers a variety of outdoor activities within its 5,362 acres. In addition, you can learn more about the area's geography and history at the park's visitor center. It hosts an exhibit by the Moab Museum featuring displays about cattle ranching at and near Dead Horse Point and the role women played in this industry's past.
Inside Dead Horse Point State Park
So: what do visitors to Dead Horse Point State Park keep themselves occupied with during their trip?
Glad you asked. Here’s a short list of the fun stuff to do once you arrive.
Hiking - Dead Horse Point State Park is home to a diverse network of hiking trails, many of which offer interpretive signage and are easy enough for beginners. Several of these trails meander along the scenic canyon rim, so you’re sure to get some stellar Instagram footage.
Mountain biking - If you’re looking for something a little more extreme, take on Dead Horse Point’s aptly-named Intrepid Trail System, which offers over 16 miles of single-track trails to non-motorized bikers.
Volunteering and seasonal employment - If you’re looking to stay in the area for a longer period of time (or are lucky enough to call yourself a local), the park is looking for individuals, couples, and families with children of all ages to help improve and preserve the park through fun, feel-good projects.
Geocaching - Dead Horse Point State Park is home to two official hidden geocaches, not to mention others clever visitors may have finagled. The two recognized by the park are both located along main trails in day use areas, and no scrambling or rock climbing is required to access them.
Stargazing
Dead Horse Point became an International Dark Sky Park in 2016. Sign up for a full moon walk with a ranger, or sit outside of your RV at night and marvel at the brilliance of the night sky. Note that as Dead Horse Point officially closes at 10 p.m., you must leave the park by then unless you have a campsite.
Flora and Fauna
The park has plant life typical of its desert environment. You can expect to see Utah junipers, Mormon tea, pinon pines, yuccas, and cacti. Animals that dwell within the park include mule deer, chipmunks, and coyotes.
Hiking
The park has several easy trails that take you along the plateau's rim. Starting from the visitor center, the Colorado River Overlook Trail takes you on a 1-mile trek winding through juniper and pine trees and great views of the Colorado River. See the La Sal Mountains in the distance on the East Rim Trail, which takes you 1.5 miles to Dead Horse Point. The East Rim Trail connects to the West Rim Trail for a 4-mile hike if you are looking for a more intense workout.
Biking
Moab is the country's mountain biking capital. At Dead Horse Point, you'll have several routes to try out that range from easy to intermediate. More leisurely trails include the Intrepid and the Raven Roll routes. For an intermediate-level experience, try the Great Pyramid and the Big Chief trails. If you did not bring your own, during peak biking season, Bighorn Mountain Biking brings Marin bikes to the park that you can rent on-site.
How to Get to
Dead Horse Point State Park
From Moab, take US-191 N to the intersection with UT-313. Make a left on UT-313 and drive 18.8 miles to the park's entrance.
Entering Dead Horse Point State Park
The regular day-use fee for vehicles is $20. Those on motorcycles will pay $10. If you walk or bike into the park, you will be charged $10 for entrance.
Dead Horse Point State Park Regular Vehicle : $20.0
Up to 8 people
Dead Horse Point State Park Utah Seniors : $15.0
Age 62 and over
Dead Horse Point State Park Motorcycles : $10.0
Dead Horse Point State Park Commercial Vehicles : $4.0
Fee is per person. Includes high-capacity vehicles
Dead Horse Point State Park Pedestrians and Cyclists : $10.0
No matter which of our nation’s vast array of state parks you end up exploring, we can’t wait to learn all about your journey! Tag us in your social media posts or send us the deets directly at [email protected]. We may just choose your photos and stories to be featured in our own social media or blog posts!
Frequently Asked Questions About Dead Horse Point State Park
Spring offers daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s, perfect for activities like hiking. Because of the park's elevation of 5,900 feet, it does get chilly at night, so pack layers for hanging out at your campsite in the evening or stargazing at night.
Due to its arid environment, Dead Horse Point doesn't feature a wide variety of wildlife. However, you may spot coyotes and deer along with a variety of smaller critters.
Kayenta Campground has 21 RV sites, including one that's ADA-accessible. Wingate Campground has 31 sites. 20 of these are RV and tent sites, while the other 11 are hike-in and tent-only sites. You can also reserve a yurt at Wingate Campground.
Yes, you must reserve a campsite for the Kayenta and Wingate campgrounds. The fee for an RV campsite for one vehicle is $50 a night. An additional vehicle will cost you an extra $20 per night. Hike-in and tent-only sites cost $40 per night, and these sites are closed from December through the middle of February.
The park does allow dogs in the campgrounds and on the hiking trails but not on the mountain biking trails or in the yurts. Make sure your dog is on a leash of no more than six feet in length at all times when outside your vehicle. You are expected to clean up after your four-legged family members.