Dead Horse Point State Park

10/15/2026

Desert weather can change in a matter of minutes!

With rain and strong impacting Utah over the past several days, conditions at Dead Horse Point State Park are expected to continue being dynamic. Check the forecast before heading out, watch for changing conditions, and be prepared to adjust your plans. Wet slickrock and strong winds near exposed overlooks can be dangerous!

Enjoy the views, but stay weather-aware and stay safe!

10/14/2026

Groggy gray day? 😪 This whiptail knows what you mean.

As cold and rainy conditions continue, you may notice lethargic behavior in the resident lizard populations.

Cold blooded animals, like lizards, rely on the sunlight and warmth to regulate their internal body temperature and metabolism. With less sunlight, they have less energy to move about.

If you encounter a slow moving whiptail on a rainy day in the park, leave it plenty of space. Do not attempt to handle or heat up the lizard, as this can cause additional stress and hurt them.

They'll naturally seek out warm, drier places to shelter and wait for sunnier conditions on their own.

10/13/2026

What are those mountains in the distance to the south? You can see them from Dead Horse Point — those are the Abajo Mountains!

The name Abajo comes from Spanish and means “low.” The range was given this name because it appeared lower than the surrounding ranges on travel routes used by Spanish explorers in the 1700s.

The highest peak in the range is Abajo Peak, which rises to about 11,362 feet above sea level. Much of the higher elevations are made up of diorite, a hard igneous rock that resists erosion better than many of the softer rocks surrounding it.

The Abajos are also much younger than the Rocky Mountains. They formed roughly 22–29 million years ago as magma pushed upward beneath the Earth's surface and cooled into the rocks that make up the range today.

So, the next time you look toward the Abajos from Dead Horse Point, remember that you're looking at a mountain range shaped by millions of years of geologic history.

10/12/2026

Not all wildflowers have finished blooming just yet. The Small Leaf Globemallow is a drought tolerant wildflower that can bloom into the fall. It mainly blooms in April through June but occasionally after monsoon rains too.

These flowers provide a unique apricot orange to salmon color. Their leaves are gray-green and silver with star shaped hairs that create a fuzzy texture.

Fun Fact: Small bees will sleep in the buds of this flower!

10/11/2026

Meet one of the desert’s more unusual residents: the Golden Huntsman Spider! With their long legs, golden coloring, and impressive size, huntsman spiders can look intimidating, but they’re generally shy and prefer to hunt insects rather than bother people. Unlike web-building spiders, huntsman spiders actively roam at night in search of prey. This one decided the bathroom made a pretty good place to stop for a photo op!

10/10/2026

Tonight's Star Party has been cancelled due to a forecast of high cloud coverage, strong winds, and a chance of lightning.

Send a message to learn more

10/10/2026

While our beautiful sunsets get more attention here at Dead Horse Point, our sunrises offer a quieter, more contemplative space to view the sweeping canyons. This photo was taken just as the warm glow in the east heats up and the foggy cliffs in the distance shyly reveal the millions of years of history contained in their red rock layers. The canyons reflect off the seemingly calm surface of the Colorado River though the river’s rushing water continues to carve deeper through ancient stone. And those up early enough, contemplate their place in time.

10/09/2026

Dead Horse Point is home to many kinds of creatures. While some are more elusive than others, here are some of the most commonly seen to be on the lookout for during your visit.

Pictured: desert kit fox, Hopi chipmunk, kangaroo rat, and desert cottontail.

10/08/2026

If you are planning to camp with us we want to make sure you enjoy every moment! This fall season, fires are allowed in the park within the designated fire rings.

Please be sure to extinguish your fires properly and stay safe! If using charcoal grills also be sure to extinguish the remnants properly. Please take caution and be aware of the dry desert terrain around you!

10/07/2026

Visiting Dead Horse Point State Park this Halloween season? You're in for a thrill! 🕷️

We have spooky and spectacular Ranger-led events all month long!

TODAY, Wednesday, October 8th, we've got a Science (Non) Fiction Double Creature Feature: SHRIMP! at 5:00pm and SCORPIONS! at 8:00pm.

Every Friday, join us for a Stargazing Extraterrestrial Extravaganza at 8:00pm!

On Saturday, October 10th:
Shrub Shuffle: Monster Mash at 6:00pm
Star Party: Unlucky Stars at 8:00pm

On Saturday, October 16th:
Geology Talk: Skeletons of Stone at 5:00pm
Night Hike: Bat Bananza at 7:00pm

On Saturday, October 24th:
Nature Hike: Werewolf Walk at 7:00pm
Telescope Program: Luna in the Lens at 9:00pm

And finally, on Halloween Night, October 31st:
Shrub Shuffle: Monster Mash at 5:00pm
Star Party: Galactic Trick-or-Treat at 8:00pm... Wear your costume to receive free candy when you step up to the scope!

For more information, contact Ranger Jimmy at [email protected]