Stargaze at Dead Horse Point State Park
Experience one of the world's premier International Dark Sky Parks, where the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye above a 2,000-foot sheer drop.
Itinerary tips
- 1Bring a red-light headlamp to preserve your night vision and the experience of others while navigating the overlooks.
- 2Arrive at least one hour before sunset to secure a parking spot at the Dead Horse Point Overlook and watch the canyon colors shift.
- 3Pack a high-quality camping chair and a heavy blanket, as temperatures drop rapidly in the high desert after dark.
- 4Download an offline star map or stargazing app before leaving Moab, as cell service is non-existent within the park.
- 5Check the lunar calendar to ensure you visit during a New Moon phase for the highest celestial contrast and Milky Way visibility.
- 6Pay the $25 per-vehicle entry fee at the gate or display your Utah State Parks Pass, as National Park passes are not valid here.
More in Moab
Drive the Shafer Trail Switchbacks
Navigate a white-knuckle descent on a dirt road that drops 1,500 feet from the Island in the Sky mesa to the canyon floor.
ScenicStargaze at Dead Horse Point
Visit this International Dark Sky Park after hours to see the Milky Way arching over the gooseneck curves of the Colorado River far below.
ScenicWatch the Sunrise at Mesa Arch
Peer through the 'eye' of the arch as it frames the vast canyon system of Canyonlands, illuminated by the first light of day.
ScenicPicnic at the La Sal Mountain Loop
Escape the desert heat by driving into the high alpine forests for panoramic views of the red rocks from 10,000 feet.
Scenic

