Just outside Canyonlands National Park sits Dead Horse Point State Park, one of the most photographed spots in the Southwest. With sweeping canyon views, rim trails, and even overnight yurts, it’s the kind of place that’s easy to add onto a Canyonlands trip but spectacular enough to deserve its own spotlight.
I spent an afternoon here and quickly realized it lives up to the hype. The overlook is jaw-dropping, the trails are approachable, and it has that rare mix of “easy to access” and “feels like the edge of the world.”
If you’re exploring Moab and love unique lodging, check out my Hoodoo Moab Review before planning your Dead Horse Point trip.
Before we get into trails and overlooks, let’s clear up the name. In the 1800s, cowboys used the mesa top as a natural corral for wild mustangs. Legend says horses were once left fenced in without water, dying within sight of the Colorado River below. It’s a grim story, but the name stuck—and now it’s one of Utah’s most iconic viewpoints.
Trail Length: 0.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Best Time: Sunset
This is the showstopper. From the overlook, the Colorado River makes a dramatic U-turn 2,000 feet below. On clear days, you’ll see glowing cliffs stacked in shades of red, orange, and brown stretching for miles. At sunset, the light deepens, the canyon walls glow, and the whole place feels surreal.
If you’re short on time, this is the stop you can’t miss. If you’re already visiting nearby Canyonlands, my Canyonlands National Park in 24 Hours: How to See the Best in One Day fits seamlessly with a stop at Dead Horse Point.
Trail Length: 5 miles total if you combine East and West Rim Trails
Difficulty: Moderate (mostly flat with some rocky footing)
Elevation Gain: About 500 ft
Estimated Time: 2–3 hours
If you want more than a quick overlook, the rim trails give you multiple perspectives of the canyon.
Runs along the canyon edge almost the entire way, with wide-open views of the Colorado River, Potash Road, and cliffs in the distance.
Best For: Sweeping panoramas and photo ops
Tip: Do this earlier in the day—the afternoon light can be harsh.
Feels quieter and less crowded, winding through desert plants and slickrock before opening up to overlooks of the Colorado River bend.
Best For: Quieter views and softer late-afternoon light
Trail Length: 2 miles round trip (off the West Rim)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (a little rocky)
Estimated Time: 1 hour
This spur trail leads to one of the best views in the park, perched directly above a river bend. It’s named after the bighorn sheep that live in the area, so keep your eyes peeled. Sunset here is magical if you don’t mind hiking back in fading light.
The visitor center is small but worth stopping into. It has geology exhibits, local art, and a few unique souvenirs. It’s also the best place to grab trail maps before heading out.
Want to wake up with canyon views? Dead Horse Point rents rimside yurts. They’re cozy, unique, and perfect if you want to catch both sunrise and sunset without the drive back to Moab. Bonus: this is a designated dark-sky park, so stargazing from a yurt deck is unbeatable.
Main Overlook: The postcard shot, especially at sunset.
West Rim Trail: Quieter overlooks with soft afternoon light.
Bighorn Overlook: A raw, rugged bend in the river—perfect for wide-angle shots.
Dead Horse Point State Park is home to more than just views. Keep an eye out for:
Bighorn sheep (especially near Bighorn Overlook)
Ravens swooping dramatically through the canyon air
Lizards sunning on slickrock
Desert cottontails darting between shrubs
Spotting wildlife against that canyon backdrop makes the experience even more special.
As a certified International Dark Sky Park, Dead Horse Point is one of the best places in Utah for stargazing. With almost no light pollution, the Milky Way cuts across the sky like a glowing ribbon. If you stay in a yurt, you’ll have stargazing right outside your door. Otherwise, bring a blanket, a headlamp, and settle in at the overlook—it’s a whole different kind of “wow.”
Fee: $20 per vehicle (not included in your National Park Pass)
Drive Time: 45 minutes from Moab, 15 minutes from Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky entrance
Food & Water: Bring your own—there’s no restaurant inside the park
Best Seasons: Spring and fall for mild temps. Summer evenings are hot but stunning; winters can be icy.
Late Afternoon: Stop at the visitor center and orient yourself.
Hike: Walk the West Rim Trail (add the Bighorn spur if you’re up for it).
Sunset: Head to the main overlook for the iconic finale.
Optional Overnight: Book a yurt and stargaze before turning in.
Dead Horse Point may not carry the “national park” title, but it deserves one. The overlook rivals the Grand Canyon in drama, the rim trails give you a sense of scale, and the yurts make it an unforgettable place to stay. Whether you stop in for half an hour or linger for a night, you’ll leave with photos—and memories—that feel larger than life.
If you’re building a full Moab itinerary don’t miss my post Spend a Weekend in Moab: The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary.
There’s a version of Gatlinburg that’s all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then there’s the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Here’s everything worth doing downtown, in the order I’d do it: 🏔️
✨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
✨ Walk the strip mid-morning when it’s still manageable
✨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: don’t skip it)
✨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
✨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isn’t your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. It’s more of a “here’s what I’d actually do if I had one solid day” kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. 🔗
If someone told me I’d spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. 😅
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and it’s one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it — longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
✨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
✨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
✨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
✨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. 🔗
I walked into Goo Goo Cluster in downtown Gatlinburg thinking I’d spend five minutes and leave with a small piece of candy. I was wrong on both counts. 😅
You build your own chocolate cluster at a kiosk: caramel, sea salt, pretzels, cocoa pebbles, you name it, and then watch them make it right in front of you. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes and costs $15.
The caveat? This is not a snack. This is a full-size brick of chocolate that I was still eating two days later.
If you’re already walking the Gatlinburg strip, this is an easy yes. Especially if you have absolutely no self-control around caramel. (Asking for a friend.) Full experience breakdown linked in bio. 🔗
Your Knoxville Airport survival guide, from someone who’s flown through TYS 100+ times is now up on my blog🛫
Parking, TSA wait times, where to grab food before your flight, rental cars, all of it, from someone who actually knows this airport. No guessing, no googling at the last minute.
TYS is small, easy to navigate, and honestly one of the less stressful airports I’ve been through. You just need to know a few things going in.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗
Hundreds of motorcycles. Tweed suits. Tennessee roads.🏍️
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global charity event, classic and vintage bikes, dressed-up riders, raising money for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. The bikes are stunning. The outfits are even better.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗 | @gentlemansride
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