Dead Horse Point State Park sits high above the Colorado River near Moab, Utah, with red-rock cliffs, broad canyon views, dark skies, and campsites that put us close to the rim without giving up basic campground comfort.
It is also high desert. Water is limited, summer heat is serious, cliff edges demand attention, and fire rules can change quickly. A good trip starts with current park information instead of an old campground review.
Current 2026 Conditions Matter
As of August 25, 2026, Dead Horse Point is under Stage 2 fire restrictions. Open fires are prohibited, including fires in established fire pits, charcoal grills, pellet grills, and other ash-producing fuel. Properly shielded gas or liquid-fueled portable stoves with shut-off valves are allowed when used on a clear, nonflammable area as required by the park.
Check the official Dead Horse Point current-conditions page immediately before your trip because fire restrictions, trail conditions, and campground availability can change.
Kayenta Campground
Kayenta has 21 campsites among junipers. Sites include shade structures, picnic tables, fire rings, tent pads, and 20/30/50-amp electrical hookups. Modern restrooms are available, and trails connect the campground with the West Rim, Wingate area, and visitor center.
The park currently lists Kayenta as open through November 30, 2026. Remember that having a fire ring does not override an active fire restriction.
Wingate Campground
Wingate has 31 sites: 20 RV-or-tent sites with electrical hookups and 11 hike-in tent-only sites. The tent-only sites require a physical tent; camper vans and rooftop-tent setups do not qualify for those reservations.
The hike-in sites are only a short walk from parking, but they offer a quieter feel. If you want a more stripped-down style of camping, our primitive camping guide explains how expectations change when services disappear completely.
2026 Camping Fees
Utah State Parks currently lists RV campsites at $60 per night during March through June and September through October, and $50 during the other months. Hike-in tent sites are $45 during those busier months and $40 during the other months.
Camping fees include the required park fee for one vehicle. Extra vehicles are currently $20 per night. Verify rates before booking because the park specifically warns visitors not to rely on prices posted elsewhere.
Yurts at Dead Horse Point
Yurts sleep up to six and include heating, air conditioning, electrical outlets, beds, a futon, mini fridge, microwave, tables, and an outdoor propane grill. Bedding is not provided.
The current standard yurt rate is $150 per night, with $100 seasonal discount periods listed by the park. Wingate yurts do not allow pets, while Moenkopi yurts are pet-friendly under the park’s stated pet rules and fees.
Bring RV Water With You
There is no RV water fill or water hookup at Dead Horse Point. The park trucks water onto the mesa, and RV campers are told to fill in Moab or another suitable location before arriving.
This is a good reminder that developed camping can still require self-reliance. Our dry camping guide covers fresh-water planning, electrical use, wastewater, and the habits that matter when hookups are limited or absent.
Summer Heat Changes the Day
Summer can be beautiful, but hike early, carry more water than you expect to use, protect your skin, and save exposed rim walks for cooler hours. Rock and open desert reflect heat with very little natural shade.
This related guide to planning summer travel around extreme heat is useful when deciding whether a desert itinerary needs an earlier start, more shade time, or a different season altogether.
Pets and Cliff Safety
Pets must be leashed and attended outdoors. The park warns that dogs have been lost after chasing animals over cliff edges, and pets must never be left in hot vehicles.
Many overlooks are unfenced. Keep children and pets close, stay on established trails, and never throw rocks or other objects from the cliffs.
Hiking From Camp
Rim trails connect many overlooks and campground areas. Wear shoes that grip rock, carry water even on short walks, and avoid stepping on biological soil crust. That dark, living crust helps stabilize desert soil and can take a long time to recover from damage.
Recent washouts have made parts of some mountain-bike routes more difficult than their map rating, another reason to check current conditions before leaving camp.
Dark Sky Camping
One of the best parts of camping on the mesa comes after sunset. Keep unnecessary lights low, use a red-light setting when practical, and give your eyes time to adjust.
The quiet, open desert experience is also what draws campers to nearby Utah parks. Our Goblin Valley State Park camping guide offers another current 2026 option for a red-rock trip with very different terrain.
Reservations and Arrival
Utah State Parks recommends reservations, especially from March through November when openings can be scarce. Check-in is 3 p.m. and checkout is noon for the campgrounds and yurts.
Park hours are currently 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Spotty cell service is another reason to save reservation details and maps before driving onto the mesa.
A Simple Two-Day Plan
Arrive with water, fuel, and food handled. Set camp before dark, walk to a rim view for sunset, then let the stars be the evening show. The next morning, hike early while the air is cooler and save midday for shade, rest, or a supply run toward Moab.
If you add Canyonlands or Arches, leave enough time to enjoy Dead Horse Point itself instead of treating the campground as nothing more than a bed near Moab.
Leave the Mesa Better Than You Found It
Stay on durable surfaces, protect biological soil crust, obey current fire restrictions, conserve water, keep food and trash secured, leash pets, and give other campers quiet space.
Dead Horse Point rewards a simple plan: reserve the right site, arrive prepared for desert conditions, and spend more time looking at the canyon than worrying about problems that could have been handled before the drive.