Watch Sunset at Dead Horse Point
Stand 2,000 feet above a gooseneck in the Colorado River for what is arguably the most dramatic canyon view in the American West.
Itinerary tips
- 1Arrive at the park entrance at least 90 minutes before sunset to secure a parking spot at the Dead Horse Point Overlook lot.
- 2Pack a lightweight windbreaker and a headlamp, as temperatures drop rapidly and the trail darkens immediately after the sun dips.
- 3Bring a camp chair and a small picnic to enjoy at the rim while waiting for the colors to peak during the 'blue hour'.
- 4Purchase your pass online in advance or use a credit card at the automated kiosk to bypass long entry lines at the gate.
- 5Walk a few hundred yards north along the West Rim Trail to escape the main observation platform crowds for a private view.
- 6Allot at least 45 minutes for the drive from downtown Moab, accounting for winding roads and potential wildlife crossings.
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.
ScenicSunrise at Mesa Arch
Witness the iconic glow as the morning sun illuminates the underside of the arch, framing the vast canyons of the Island in the Sky.
Scenic

