Islands in the Sky

We spent two nights in Dead Horse Point State Park and made a brief swing through the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands.

Canyon view from Dead Horse

This was maybe our fourth visit to Dead Horse, and an opportunity to show off the camp to Jim and Jill. On Thursday night our soon-to-be backpacking buddies Jim and Mike showed up.

Julie enjoys sunset at Dead Horse

Dead Horse is the Mini Me of Canyonlands — not part of the national park and a smaller peninsula than Islands, but no less dramatic. The big bonus is that there is accessible camping that situates you right near both rims so the hiking is easy and flexible. You can do a less than 2 mile loop near sunset to visit the west rim and look out over Shafer trail, White Rim Road, and Canyonlands. Or you can do a 5-6 mile loop and cover both rims and the end of the peninsula.

View down over Shafer trail from Canyonlands

Given we were so close to Island in the Sky I suggested we swing in there before venturing on to Moab and eventually the Needles district of Canyonlands. So worth it as you migrate to views that are much more expansive. The canyon below just opens up wide and you can see Needles off in the distance.