One Of The Most Photographed Overlooks In The Entire World Is Found In This Utah State Park
By Courtnie Erickson|Published March 21, 2022
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Dead Horse Point State Park is one of the most unique and distinctive state parks in Utah. With large canyon walls, desert landscapes, and incredible campgrounds and hiking trails, this state park deserves to be on every individual’s bucket list. However, what you may not know is this state park is also home to one of the most photographed overlooks in the entire world — yes, the entire world!
Dead Horse Point State Park’s history and geology are quite fascinating. Dead Horse Point is actually a peninsula of rock on sandstone cliffs. This peninsula is connected to the mesa by a narrow strip of land known as the neck.
Cowboys would herd the horses across the neck of land to the mesa, offering the horses no room to escape. This would allow the cowboys to easily choose the horses that they wanted, and let the others go.
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During your visit to this Utah state park, you can always go for a hike or take a scenic drive. However, no matter what you choose to do during the day, you'll want to stay overnight.
The Wingate Campground, located inside Dead Horse Point State Park, not only offers a long list of amenities, but this year-round campground has the most amazing night skies. In fact, Dead Horse Point State Park became an International Dark Sky Park in 2016, and the night skies truly are breathtaking — you’ll never want to go to sleep.
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However, the campground isn’t the only place where you will find extraordinary beauty. If you only do one thing during the day at this state park, spend time at Dead Horse Point Overlook, one of the most photographed overlooks across the globe.
This overlook gives you the most incredible views of buttes and mesas. You will see the Colorado River approximately 2,000 feet below you and for miles in the distance.
There are several views from this overlook but one of our favorites is looking southwest. Here, you will see Canyonlands National Park several miles away and the gooseneck of the majestic Colorado River.
We recommend catching a sunrise at this overlook. It is the perfect way to start the day.
As soon as you arrive at the Dead Horse Point Overlook, you’ll immediately see why it is one of the most photographed overlooks in the entire world. Bring your camera ... you are going to want it!
To learn more about the hikes, campgrounds, and history of Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah, visit the Utah State Parks website.
Have you stopped at this beautiful overlook in Utah? What was your first impression? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments. Don’t forget to share with us your photos from the adventure as well!
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