Posted September 6, 2020 – Narrated by Carmen
To listen to the podcast, click the play button
 See our 5-Bambi rating legend at the end of this review. |
It all began as a Bucket List thing.
For decades I’d heard about Dead Horse Point and hoped one day to see this place which inspires rapturous testimonials about the views, the beauty and the grandeur which many travelers will swear on a stack of red rock shale rivals The Grand Canyon.
If canyons had a beauty contest, I’d be a terrible judge. They’re all winners to me. But if you’re looking to avoid crowds, Dead Horse Point is a good bet.
In mid-June, at Boyd Lake State Park, I asked Jim, the master of navigation details, if we’d be near Moab as we exit Colorado. He confirmed. We would pass through Moab and Arches on our way to Vinnie’s Northbay Airstream Repair. But Moab would be hot in late July – high 90’s or low 100’s. Maybe we should save Dead Horse Point for some future spring or autumn.
You see, we had an agreement to keep summer 2020 about staying cool in the mountains – to camp within walking distance of rivers and lakes. And, so far, we’d successfully beat the major heatwaves.
I explained to Jim that Dead Horse Point is right beside the Colorado River and only 2,000 feet above the shoreline. Due to that altitude it can be twenty degrees cooler than the valley. The park’s proximity to Moab and Arches and Canyonlands, makes Dead Horse Point one of the most popular campgrounds in Utah. So, even if we decided to go, it was doubtful we’d be able to secure a reservation on such short notice.
The word, “doubtful,” was part truth and part strategy.
Hearing that something can’t be done triggers Jim’s can-do impulse. He ducked into a phone booth and right then and there he accessed his Super Reservation Powers to secure a twelve-day stay.
Never doubt the scheduling abilities of Jim Beaubeaux. After a quick dash onto ReserveAmerica, he spotted two openings – a campsite for the first eight days, and then another – right next door – for an additional four days. Precisely the timeframe we wanted.
The stars were aligned. Livin’ the dream.
Be warned, there are at least two campgrounds named Dead Horse in the United States. Do not confuse dreamy Dead Horse Ranch in Cottonwood Arizona (where we stayed for two-weeks in May) with Dead Horse Point in Utah. Our friends, Cyndy and Lee – long-term camp hosts at Dead Horse Ranch – have suffered the anguish of breaking the news to confused arrivals that their campsite reservation is hundreds of miles away.
Dead Horse Point has no water at the site, only electricity. So, before heading up, we filled the fresh water tank to capacity (Yes, the silicone patch is still holding up) and emptied the black and gray tanks.
This campground is forty-five minutes from services, so we stocked up on provisions and topped off our diesel. But, for me, all this preparation was like doing “the happy dance.”
Dead Horse Point, here we come!
A peninsula of rock atop sheer sandstone cliffs, Dead Horse Point is connected to the mesa by a narrow strip of land called The Neck. There is some conflict about the history of how this promontory received its name.
The Legend
A turn-of-the-century legend goes … “Wild mustangs roamed the mesa tops and cowboys rounded them up and herded them across The Neck which was only 30 yards-wide. With The Neck closed off with a rudimentary fence tied together with branches and brush, the Point made a natural corral surrounded by sheer cliffs so the horses could not escape.
From The Point, cowboys would sort out the herd and let the broomtails go free. This went on for decades until, for some unknown reason, the herd was left alone during a long dry period. Within view of the Colorado River, 2,000 feet below, the poor horses either died of thirst or plunged to their deaths.”
There are two campgrounds for RVs at Dead Horse Point, and a yurt village as well.
The original Kayenta Campground rests in a beautiful red rock area and has twenty-one sites which are suitable for tents and RVs.
The new and larger Wingate Campground has twenty RV campsites, eleven tent-only sites, and four yurts.
The Moenkopi Area has five yurts.
Yurts
The yurts are furnished with a bunk bed, futon, dining tables (indoors and outdoors), air-conditioning and heater units, lamp, BBQ grill, and a fire pit.
Pets, smoking, and cooking are not allowed inside the yurts.
Most of the Wingate RV sites are back-in.
There are eleven pull-thru sites. We saw one pull-thru accommodate a 45-foot motorhome and a 20-foot enclosed trailer for a Jeep with room to spare. Off-roading is popular here, and these campsites can easily accommodate all the necessary toys.
Not only are the Wingate sites spacious – there is a generous expanse of natural landscape between sites, creating beneficial sight lines for bird-watching, sunsets and star-gazing.
Most sites are about fifty feet apart, and some more than 100 feet. Dead Horse Point is a social-distancing mecca.
The back-in sites can easily handle a 50-foot rig.
Most of the Kayenta sites are older, smaller and closer together. However, this is the best area for car-camping, vans and minimalist rigs. With plenty of old-growth trees and shrubs, Kayenta sites are cozy with tall, dense, natural green screen between most sites.
The Wingate tent-only sites are nicely spaced apart for privacy. They are minimally developed and some sites are shady. There is no electrical outlet at the tent-only sites. Tent-campers must walk-in from a parking lot which is between twenty and two-hundred yards away depending on the site. The sites furthest from the parking lot have more privacy and better views.
Immediately, upon arrival, the feeling of being “on top of the world” takes over.
Maybe, because you feel so very small, you start thinking big thoughts. And, this new, artistically designed campground uses the wide-open terrain to maximize the expansive views where it feels that the juncture of Land and Sky is sharp enough to cleave you open to the bone.
It’s like having your own private retreat.
Each site is paved and features a one or two-sided, solid roofed shelter, picnic table, fire pit, and a raised tent pad. We couldn’t think of enough ways to use all of this infrastructure. We didn’t need to use our Clam Quickset because the roofed shelter was sufficient to store our bikes.
Many campers bedecked their shelter with elaborate accoutrement – decorations, lights and privacy screens – to maximize their space. Next time we will bring some bling.
But, one other advantage of the older Kayenta campground is its proximity to the North Rim where a partial canyon view is visible from one side of the campground. Wingate campers must walk about a quarter-mile to view the rim.
Each Wingate RV site has 20/30/50 amp electrical service. No sewer. No water.
But do not despair. Within about fifty yards of each campsite there are flush toilets and sinks with running water. Water is trucked up the mountain from Moab, so it is required that all RV campers arrive with full tanks and plenty of drinking water.
Outdoor dish-washing sinks are positioned on the perimeter of each restroom. These stations are clearly posted for dish-washing only and are not for refilling fresh water tanks or bathing of any kind.
To insure our water lasted for twelve days, I made a daily trek (sometimes two) to the dish-washing station to fill our collapsible tub and take the water back to the trailer …
… for dishwashing.
Since only cool water is provided, we boiled some of the water for a more sanitizing wash. Then, to conserve our grey water, I took the used water back to the station and dumped it down the sink. Voila! This method relieves campers from having to wait in line as others try to wash dishes in cold water at the campground sink.
Bathrooms and Dump Stations
In addition to the full-flush restrooms, a couple of vault-toilet restrooms are conveniently positioned near the trailheads. Every station was spotless and free of foul odors. Due to the scarcity of water, no laundry rooms or showers are provided.
A complimentary sewer dump is positioned near each campground entrance. The dump station at Wingate accommodates two RVs at once. It also provides a hose to flush out the tanks.
Okay, we’ve seen a lot of dump-station configurations, but this was new. The two sewer inlets merge into an open pit which is only covered with a metal grate. Sooooo… as you prepare to open the tank to release black water stand away from the grate, pull up your covid mask, and avert your eyes and nose... You’re welcome.
Each campground has a refuse station near the entrance in the sewer dump area. We didn’t find any sorting bins marked for recyclables, so we packed that stuff out.
The entire campground is asphalt-paved, including each RV site.
Indigenous plantings – flowers and grasses – are softly landscaped with local rock and gravel.
The juniper bushes were loaded with berries.
It is important to stay on developed paths to protect the landscape and prevent thorn injuries. I confess that I had to learn this lesson the hard way. Hiking boots are recommended at all times.
The wind is unpredictible.
On our first day, powerful unpredicted wind gusts uprooted a neighboring tent and blew it into our site. Due to these surprise gusts, we never left our awning out unattended.
But temperatures were surprisingly comfortable in late July to early August. It remained in the mid-80’s for the first week and rose to the mid-90’s during the second week. Every day at about 2 pm, we switched on the air-conditioner until the cool hours began at about 6 pm. At sundown, we opened the windows and welcomed the cool, dry breeze.
No WiFi is provided. But, since Wingate Campground is a bit higher in elevation than the Kayenta Campground, we harnessed 3 LTE bars with our WeBoost cell booster. Data speeds were up to 10 Mbps (at times) and (other times) as slow as 600 Kbps. This was a treat since we were connectivity-starved for most of this mountain-high summer in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Utah. It was a hoot to live-stream movies almost every night at Dead Horse, of all places.
Pets
Pets are allowed at the campground, leashed at all times – but it is not safe for pets to run free. The rim is dangerous. Properly leashed dogs are allowed on the hiking trails and overlooks.
Equipped doggie stations are provided throughout the campgrounds.
Just a FYI: We think it is a wise policy to forbid dogs on trails inside Arches and Canyonland National Parks. So, in order to view those areas, we made Pico comfortable in the air-conditioned trailer. We were always home by 2pm just in case a campground or area-wide blackout (which actually occurred while we were there) cuts off the air.
Dead Horse and the surrounding area is a hiking wonderland.
There are seven overlooks around the campground, all marked at trailheads. The main one, Dead Horse Point Overlook, is also vehicle accessible and has a parking lot and beautiful picnic area.
The views are visually exciting … but please, Dear LIB Followers, if you go to Dead Horse, do not venture too close to the edge. During our stay, a poor man slipped from one of the popular viewpoints and fell two-hundred feet to his death. Our hearts go out to his family.
Not even professional photography – much less, our amateur efforts – can comprehensively explain the depths, shapes and colors of these canyons. But, thanks to our zoom camera and binoculars, we were able to explore from a safe distance.
We couldn’t ride bikes this time, but an intricate mountain biking trail system begins at the north end of the visitor’s center parking lot with eight trails ranging from easy to very difficult. Hikers are allowed on the bike trails, but dogs are not.
Dark Sky Park
Dead Horse Point State Park is a International Dark Sky Park and is a great place to stargaze. My friend, Morgan visited there during dark nights and watched a meteor shower which lasted from dark till past dawn.
Even on a full moon night, the stars were breathtaking.
Forty dollars ($40) a night may seem a bit steep for an RV site with no water – but considering the location, Dead Horse Point is a bargain. It’s only thirty-two miles to Moab, twelve miles to Canyonlands National Park, and a mere twenty-seven miles to Arches National Park. Tent-only sites are $35 a night and Yurts with spectacular view decks are only $140 a night.
The staffed Visitor Center explains the history, geology, and biology of the area, PLUS they sell eight pounds of glorious ice for around three bucks a bag – a good value since the nearest convenience store is fifteen miles away. The phone number for the Visitor Center is (435) 259-2614.
Campsites are available for reservation year-round on a four-month rolling basis. For example, on January 10th sites are available for reservation through May 10th.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is only twenty-miles away, so we took the scenic drive twice. With our senior pass, entrance was free.
Arches National Park
Arches was a magical half-day driving-only adventure. With Jim’s foot still in “the boot” we viewed most of the famous scenery from the truck while sipping tall tumblers of iced tea.
Moab
For restaurants, shopping and hospital, Moab is the place. Following Jim’s medical appointments at Moab Regional Hospital …
the fabulous patio dining at Thai Bella made his foot feel all better. We also met our traveling friends, Marion and Tom Zimmerman at Thai Bella and had so much fun catching up that we forgot to take a group photo … Next time!
Dead Horse Point is on State Route 313, eighteen miles off Highway 191 near Moab. There is no official address for the park, but the GPS coordinates for the campground are: 38.483800, -109.738500 (38°29’01.7″N 109°44’18.6″W)
Even if you don’t have time to camp, the views are worth the drive from Moab, or as a side-trip from your campsite at Canyonlands National Park. A $20 vehicle pass (up to 8 passengers) is good for three consecutive days.
The park is open daily from 6am to 10 pm and the Visitor Center is open from 9 am to 5 pm year round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
In the fog of morning, we broke camp.
I reached through the tangle of juniper to unhook the feeder. A war party of hummingbirds surrounded me, protesting.
“Ah, don’t saddle me with guilt,” I whined.
Then, a young muscular gust of chill autumn air galloped through. I turned my head and caught the fragrance of waterfalls and transitioning aspen woods with shimmering golden leaves coming from places that might as well be the moon.
The wind twisted the branches corkscrew, slinging the feeder to the ground.
The nectar vanished into parched earth.
The birds dashed away.
Just another disappointment in this beautiful place of sheer loss, deprivation and broken promises where everything is impossible and nothing is always possible.
Later, as we pulled out, I deleted Dead Horse Point from my bucket list and then, entered it again.
I’m captured.
If you want to see our exact route, click here.
*photos in this post (unless otherwise noted) were taken and copyrighted by Living In Beauty.
Our “BAMBI” rating system explained:
 – One Bambi: Should’a boondocked.
 – Two Bambi’s: Better than a Cracker Barrel or Walmart.
 – Three Bambi’s: Adequate for a short stay.
– Four Bambi’s: Great place! Met our expectations for an extended stay. Needs minor improvements or is not ideally situated for all our preferred recreation (hiking, cycling, swimming, kayaking) without driving.
 – Five Bambi’s: Destination Camping at its best! Critical as we are, there’s nothing we’d improve, and you can bet your sweet Bambi we’re going back! |
We were not paid, reimbursed nor influenced in any way by anyone for this campground review.
Click here to see our other campground reviews.
Palo Dura State Park similarly wonderful and can RV at the bottom of the Canyon.
Hey Tom! Thanks so much! We will be traveling through Texas soon and this is precisely the info we need! Pinning in Palo Dura now …
https://palodurocanyon.com
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Southern Utah is ridiculously photogenic . I really want to return in a cooler season. Our visit in August was not really great for much hiking, though we did our best. Since we only had a week, we developed a strategy of driving in the late afternoon and hiking first thing in the morning, before it got really hot. Worked really well. Next time, I want to go to fewer places and stay longer.
Happy Trails!
Love,
Morgan
Hey Morgan! (Doing the Happy Dance) The link below has information about the best time of year for Utah hikes. September is a popular time, but I’d hate to miss the flowering cactus. So happy that you are retired so maybe we can meet up there in mid-September or late Spring.
Love, Carmen
Been there. Gorgeous!
Hey Denise! What time of year were you there?
Thank you so much for being with us!
LIB
Years ago some of my gal pals hiked to the bottom and went all the way to the Colorado River. The local tribe had a sm motel at the bottom and fed us for 3 days. I believe they were Havasue (sp?) they took great care of us and told us a bunch of stories. Trip of a life time.
Wow! Kay, that trip sounds amazing! I saw some photos of kayakers on the river below and figured there must be a rafting or kayaking tour. From above, the river looks quite placid there, and in Moab it also looked tame.
I would love to take a trip similar to yours. Did you use a travel club or service, or just go on your own?
Thank you so much for sharing!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
One of our favorite parks!
I agree Eliana! I am already strategizing a return visit!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Was there last Oct. Beautiful
How was the weather in October Mary Ann? I worry about flash floods in the Spring, so Autumn – I am guessing – is probably best.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Thank you for sharing. It’s bookmarked for future travel.
Hey Barbara, please check back here when you go. The time of year most prefer seems to September.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Rode the rim on a bike and kayaked down the river. Great place.
Hey Dane! What time of year? How high was the river? I would love to do that …
Going back.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
We were there a few years ago, parked our DP right on the edge and spent the night. Awesome place!
Hey Jim! What an adventure!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Been living at Page/Lake Powell for 22 years and the territory is simply stunning. Just bought my Bambi Sport 16′ and will post pictures soon. I plan on lots of short trips first…Zion, Bryce, Monument Valley, Moab, etc… then a few biggies. Can’t wait. Antelope Canyon is a MUST see if you are in the area.
Can’t wait to see those photos, Patricia! We took a drive through Monument Valley … Whoa. I’d never even heard of it. Okay, we will check out Antelope Canyon. Thanks!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
One of my favorite places…been there three times….I’m always in awe
I would love to see it in early Spring and late Autumn. So we will have at least two more trips on the bucket list. Thanks for sharing.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
We did it all and loved every minute. There is so much to see in Arizona and Utah, I don’t know where to start and end. Every moment spent there is worth every minute. From Michigan, we spent 8 weeks traveling to the southwest. What Patricia said above, is exactly the trip we took. It was amazing! Add The Grand Canyon and The Petrified Forest to the list!
Entering The Petrified Forest to the Bucket List. Thank you. We’ve seen the Grand Canyon so many times, but never in the Airstream, so we should go back at least one more time.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Interesting to see this because we had planned to be there this Labor Day weekend. We postponed our cross country travels, but hopefully will get there next year.
Maybe – with this heat – it’s best that you weren’t there …? Just wondering how hot it is up there today. We’re on the beach in Santa Barbara and it feels like 105 and humid. Yech! Maybe next year we will plan to be further up the coast on Labor Day.
Best to you, Judy and to your future travel plans to Dead Horse Point.
LIB
Next summer’s travels!
👍🏻
Agree. If you are going to Arches and Canyonlands, it’s a mistake not to check out Dead Horse, too.
Donny, with those two National parks being so close, it just makes sense to spend the time and visit them. We feel sorry for folks who try to do all three in one day. Each place should get no less than a full day dedicated to enjoying what it has to offer.
Absolutely gorgeous!!!
Agreed, Dana. And the little stuff was gorgeous too … the juniper berries and huge moths of various colors. For being a place called Dead, it was quite Alive.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Love that area but not in summer🦩🦩🦩
Hey Lorri, I agree but there were hundreds of tent-campers with no air-conditioning. Everyone went to bed early at night so they could go hiking during the cool hours. But I agree that September-October or April-May would be ideal.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Ok! That’s IT!! I’m in love with a big hole in the ground. Nuff said. 🔥🖤
It is like peering into Earth’s soul … Thank you for sharing that love with me.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Seeing it in person is breathtaking!! I hope to go again as that was over 50 years ago.
Whoa, Karen! I hope you do go again. Did you take photos? It would be fascinating to compare decades old images with current ones.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
From a Utah resident, it’s really beautiful.
Hey Tere, we are only now beginning to scratch the surface of all there is to see in Utah. We love the area and hope to spend more time.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Great place to camp
Agreed! One of my Top Ten.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
I was JUST searching for reviews of the campgrounds in Dead Horse vs Arches when the blog post popped up. Perfect timing! Thanks for the insight!
Hey Sierra (love your name!) it must be kismet.
Thank you for being with us!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
We heard that Dead Horse Point State Park was better than the National Park because 1-less crowded and 2-the same canyons! So we went to CanyonLands and Dead Horse. We will take Dead Horse every time. It was so beautiful, lots of terrains and hiking trails, gorgeous views, and – it was less crowded. We loved it there.
Yes, Kathryn, We didn’t know that till we arrived, but Dead Horse is the best place to headquarters while seeing Canyonlands and Arches. We just got lucky.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Camped there.. beautiful. At night you can see the Milky Way
Yes, Toby, there are amazing photos of the Milky Way from Dead Horse, but we caught it during full moon when the stars are gorgeous but not as photogenic as on dark sky nights. That’s another reason I need to go back.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Love this place. Best review I’ve ever read!
Thank you, Michele!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Should be in everyone’s list to see. Breath-taking!
It really is. I took like three-hundred photos and feel that I didn’t take enough. The light there changes every five minutes. Truly spectacular.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
A must see
Hey Patsy, while I can agree that Dead Horse is not for everyone, Utah parks has really done a tremendous amount to make it as easy to see as possible. Most of the best areas can be navigated without too much trouble – which we found helpful.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
One of my favorite places. One time (while working for Sears) I was driving from Grand Junction, CO to tiny Price, Utah to do a store audit. I saw the Dead Horse Point turn off on the main highway. The temptation was just too much. I had to see it. I didn’t know it then, but the Point seems to be a long way from the main road. Many times, I thought I was lost. And many times, I wanted to turn around, but didn’t. So I kept driving. It was getting dark, so I ask God to keep the sun high enough to light the Point and enough time for me to get there and then get back to the main road back to Grand Junction. I was a nervous wreck. But HE did it. I was astonished at the beauty and grandeur of the Point. All it was cracked up to be and more. I was SO glad I went, and kept going until I got there and didn’t turn around and miss it. AWESOME!!! So glad you got to see it. It’s the cliff that was in the last scene of Thelma and Louise. God knows how to do amazing things.
Hey Linda! Than you sharing this great story! We will be traveling through Texas later this year – not sure yet which route we will be taking – and it would be great to see you.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
It’s a beautiful place and great park personnel to Park host for.
I agree. The park rangers, hosts and intern staff were all very professional and seemed happy to be there.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
My husband saw this before he saw the Grand Canyon. He preferred this.
Hey Frances, I will need to see the Grand Canyon again before I make my final decision, but Dead Horse gets a 10.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Was there in July. We couldn’t get over the contrast between Dead horse Point, Mesa Verde NP, and Arches NP, all being so close to each other.
Hey Michael, yes each of the parks has it’s own thing going – very different strata and sandstone shapes. The wind is an amazing sculptor.
Safe and Happy Travels,
LIB
Beautiful!!❤️, We visited here, last October’2019
Hey Barbara, what was the weather like?
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
We were just there in July. Absolutely loved it.
Which campground did you stay in, Mary?
Safe and Happy Travels,
LIB
Been there, just awesome to see
Yes, a truly amazing place, Beverly.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
We camped in the park and hiked the rim. Rode the shuttle back to the campground.
We should have mentioned the shuttle which was not in service due to the pandemic. Thanks, Karen.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Been there. So beautiful!
Lisa, it is beautiful place!
Loved Dead Horse Point SP – will be back one day!
Hey David! Sounds like a plan.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Be sure you see it from both the south and north ridges if possible. The difference between the views is amazing. Definitely worth the time to see both.
That’s a great tip. Thanks, Sherry!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Another great review! Fantastic pictures as always! What I love about your campground reviews is you provide so much info and answer every question a person could have. We will add this to our list of places to go once we have settled in our new house in Arizona. I hope Jim’s foot is doing better. I loved “the fabulous patio dining at Thai Bella made his foot feel all better”. Was it the dining, or could it have been the imbibing that went along with the dining? Ha ha! Take care and safe travels!
Hey Steve! Best to you as you settle into your new digs.
Thanks for the great review on our reviews! We love that you noticed. We enjoy doing them but, truly, Campground Reviews are an act of love. When we started out, we thought we’d do more, but because we like to dig into the details, they’re a lot of work to compose. However, in the long run, LIB Campground Reviews receive more activity than other posts – which means, there’s a need out there.
Jim says, all food goes down better with a nice bottle of wine – especially nice, spicy Thai food – which is what we plan to have for dinner tonight in Santa Barbara.
Thank you for the update, Steve. It’s so good to have you along for the ride.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
That whole area — heck, all of southern Utah — is amazing. I will never get tired of returning to the desert.
Hey Janet! We are of one mind. With occasional and brief departures, I love the desert. I love the desert when it’s high. I love the desert when it’s low. I love it when it’s rocky. I love it when it’s sandy. Who needs a rose garden when there are mesquite, ocotillo, manzanita, sage and juniper?
We do need to spend more time in Utah …
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Thanks for the tips. Well done.
Thank you for the encouragement Ben!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Thanks for sharing. We head to Moab tomorrow and may check this out.
Hey Nic!
Safe and Happy Travels! Enjoy Moab!
LIB
Reading your report with my morning coffee, my longing to go camping, to go back to the beauties of the American south west surges. This is a wonderful description of the place, thank you very much. if dead horse point hasn’t been already on our places to go list I would add it immediately.
Hey Claudia! I can almost smell the coffee …
Thank you for being with us.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Another great report. I hope Jim’s tendon is healing quickly–that $3 ice likely provided some comfort after a long rim walk. I know you get a zillion suggestions on where to travel, and it must be annoying, but please permit me to humbly suggest Bryce Canyon National Park (elevation over 8,000 ft), on the other side of Utah, to avoid the last of the 2020 summer heat–but you likely already have your next destination in focus. Also noticed you haven’t been to Zion on your 5 year adventure–just a few hours away from Bryce. Maybe the next time you are passing through… Whatever you decide, I am sure it will be matched with the ‘beauty’ of your story telling. My life is so different. Since the return from my last trip to Nevada, East Coast USA, and Azores in February (squeaking by COVID-19 by just two weeks), I have not traveled more than 8 miles from my home in Coimbra, Portugal.Eight miles in seven months! That is a life-time record. However, my lack of travel isn’t totally COVID related, Since June my partner and I have been performing music five nights per week, so I have little time for travel. Obviously, Portugal is doing much better with managing the pandemic than other countries. However, the music performing will likely diminish when the rains come in the fall as we only perform outdoors during the pandemic. Thus, a little bit of me travels vicariously through your reporting, photography, story as I recall my travels in the same locations as well as locations I have never visited in the USA. The quality of your posts are without equal. Thank you. xo
Herb! Thank you for catching us up on your whereabouts. What luck to enter Portugal before all the travel restrictions were imposed. We take it that you are enjoying good health, are in good company, and are staying busy with the work of making people happy with your music. Sounds like eight miles of bliss!
We have the feeling that someday, in some sweet village somewhere in a divine little honkey-tonk, our paths will converge.
Till then, there’s always a seat for you at LIB.
Stay safe and well.
Carmen & JIm
Great post! We are keeping this area on our bucket list!
Don’t forget to pack a bucket!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Wonderful write up on the campground and area. We were able to stay three days at Dead Horse Point SP in the spring of 2018. The new campground opened that year. We stayed in the older campground which we loved in our 65 Airstream Tradewind.
Hey Nancy! Sounds like you had a good experience at DHP in your 25′ Airstream.
Yes, each campground has slightly different attributes to serve different sized rigs, party sizes, and types of vehicles. If we had a 25′ trailer we would be fine with either campground. But there are a couple of sites at Kayenta – close to the rim – that appeared large enough to serve our 30′ Airstream. But groups would be better accommodated at Wingate – also parties with specialized off-roading vehicles, and families with children because the sight-lines are better – easier to keep an eye on them.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
He ducked into a phone booth? What decade or movie is this really from?
I don’t live near Utah, but I would like to visit some of these places based on the photos.
Hey David. I guess I outed us as Old Farts. However, I did run into Christoper Reeves back in the day … Whew! … Never recovered …
We are only beginning to explore Utah. We haven’t even scratched the surface. From our research, I’m getting the idea that it would take half a lifetime to see that area. Our next entry will be about a very remote area we found in the Utah mountains. We only spent a week at Fish Lake but I wish we could have stayed for a month.
Thank you for hopping on this crazy ride.
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Thanks for the story. I love dump stations that just have a grate! If anyone goes through Tulare CA, there is one at their sewage treatment station (it is listed on Campendium). The disgust of the solution does not outweigh the need to NOT use a hose, at least to me…
Hey Roger! Sometimes they just don’t make hoses long enough ;-D
Thanks for sharing the Tulare dump station. Didn’t know about that one. What would we do without Campendium?
We’ve been through Tulare a few times but haven’t used the station you mention. But maybe the bouquet of all of those dairy cows make it a draw …?
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
What absolutely beautiful pictures. It’s stunning how beautiful America is. I love learning about all the amazing places you guys go. ♥️
Hey Becky! Yes, it is a beautiful country and your encouragement is a blessing. It is our pleasure to share because that’s how we all learn. Years before we embarked on this new lifestyle we exploited information from books and blogs. Now it is our turn to give back.
Thank you so much for being with us.
Safe and Happy Travels, Becky.
LIB
I don’t know why you say you are amateur photographers, your pictures are always amazing! Beautiful sunrise capture at Mesa Arch! Wonderful review of Dead Horse Point State Park.We didn’t stay in the campground, but did visit the park and saw many of the amazing views. The campground looks very nice and could even fit our motorhome! 🙂
Thank you, Brenda, but the hardest part about capturing that sunrise was waking up. What is it that thing photographers say? … “Being there” is the most important part of taking a photo? We are so fortunate to “be there” and will never take that gift for granted. Holy Smokes, this world is a beautiful place – even at it’s worst with all of these fires and extreme weather issues there are some gorgeous things to capture from that. Seeing the beauty is what’s important to us.
Yes, your motorhome WILL fit at Wingate Campground! So GO!
Safe and Happy Travels!
LIB
Awesome and super informative post!!!! We will be going to Arches and Canyonlands next September. We will definitely be staying at Dead Horse Point after your review. We hope that Jim’s leg is doing better.
Mario & Margarita
Have a wonderful time in beautiful Utah! Also, thank you for your concern. Jim has kicked the boot off! He is still in PT but the therapist is excited about his progress and we know he will be in full form soon.
Safe and Happy Travels, Mario and Margarita!
LIB
We will be staying in one of the yurts this September, 9/21. Which campground do you recommend? It’s only for 1 night, but I really wanted to be there to see both the sunset and sunrise. We are riding our Harley, so rarely travel at night. I thought this park with its’ Dark Sky designation would be perfect. By the way, I’d originally scheduled our trip for 5/20, then 9/20, then 5/21, and now we are definitely going 9/21. Covid cannot hold us back any longer! Thank you!