I have been there many times, but recently took a trip there to grab some more photo's for this blog post!
If you haven't heard of these places, you likely either haven't visited out west, or you just missed out on them when you did. Because they really are stunning to see in person!
However, if you haven't visited you might have seen a photograph of it, if not, you have now!
Towering a little more than 2,000 feet above the beautiful Colorado River, in a section of Utah. Lies this beautiful and panoramic view of the canyon below.
It took millions of years to create this geographic wonder. Ancient oceans, rivers, sand storms and wind tore through this area to create these canyons, sculptures and buttes.
Depending on the time of day, the colors are vibrant shades of reds and oranges and even yellows.
How did it get its name? Legend has it, that at one point Cowboy's used to herd wild mustang horses to the point, and corral them here. But at some point, they forgot about the horses for a period of time and since there is no water up on top, the horses died of thirst.
The poor horses, probably looked down at the river running below, but there was nothing they could do to get to it and their fate was sealed. Once they were discovered, they started calling it Dead Horse Point.
What can you do there? You can enjoy the sunrise and sunset views. Visit the visitors center, or stay at one of the campgrounds. You can also hike along some of the several maintained trails, or bring out your mountain bike and take a ride. If you have only half a day or just one day, you can still see and do a lot of the park.
This state park is open year round, and has amazing views no matter what time of year you visit. It is also a short drive from Moab, if you are looking to see and do something different while visiting there.
Currently there is a $10 entrance fee per vehicle.
This is also a great side trip if you are visiting the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park. Which I highly recommend too!
The summers can get hot, very hot. This is the desert! So bring water! Also being the desert, there are biting flies so bug spray is always a good option to bring as well.
Winter months can get cold, especially with the winds up on top. If it starts to storm (lightening), it's always wise to take cover until the storm passes for safety reasons.
This is a beautiful and peaceful place, even if you just come up to relax and enjoy the view and do a little self meditation, you will enjoy the trip out to the point if you do!
(NOTE: All pictures are my own and were taken by me.)
Have you been to Dead Horse Point before? Or have you seen pictures?
If you visited, don't you agree it is stunning?
The pictures are so pretty! (I'm glad I get to live vicariously through you! :P That story about how the place got its name makes me so sad though. :[ Darn those cowboys!!
ReplyDeleteLOL, ya it is sad, but possibly the Cowboy's died too, maybe the wild west got to them and that's why they didn't make it back, after all it was Butch Cassidy and Sundance Territory:)
DeleteBut ya, it's a beautiful vista to take in!
O my, that is beautiful. At first I thought it was called Horseshoe point because it looked as if the river was in the shape of a horseshoe. I am reading on my phone though (small screen) so I could be wrong. That is kind of sad how it got it's name Dead Horse point.
ReplyDeleteLOL ya it does look like a horseshoe. We actually have hundreds of miles of canyon country and a bit further down in Southern Utah, there is a Horseshoe canyon, that got it's name the same way:)
DeleteI think I live in the wrong state. I love Texas, but I don't think there's anything like this.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think Texas has canyon country like this. But have the best of both, live in Texas and take a trip out to Utah sometime to see it's beauty:)
DeleteThe scenery is gorgeous, but that is such a sad story about how the location got its name. I'm going to pretend that it's just rumor.
ReplyDeleteThanks, ya it is beautiful country to see.
DeleteYes sad story, but go ahead and pretend its a rumor, you never know!
Wow I've never seen pictures like that before! How beautiful and the colors are amazing
ReplyDeleteThanks! Ya, I was lucky to hit it at the right time in the evening for the sun! It's a beautiful place to see if you are ever in the area!
DeleteAwesome pics! I've been there and the views are breathtaking!!! Such a wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome you have been here, it really is breathtaking!!!
ReplyDelete