East Rim Trail – Dead Horse Point Sp

Distance: 4.5 miles Elevation Gain: 300 ft Difficulty: Moderate Type: Loop Surface: dirt Activity: Hiking Best Season: year-round Typical Time: 2-3 hours Fee: $20/vehicle Dogs: True Permit: False

East Rim Trail explores the quieter eastern side of Dead Horse Point State Park's mesa, offering canyon overlooks and Colorado River views without the crowds that congregate at the main Dead Horse Point overlook. The 4.5-mile loop traverses the mesa's eastern escarpment, where side canyons cut into the Wingate Sandstone and Chinle Formation below, creating a complex series of nested canyons visible from multiple vantage points along the rim.

The East Rim receives fewer visitors than the main overlook area, giving the trail a more contemplative, uncrowded atmosphere. The canyon views here look toward Canyonlands National Park's Island in the Sky district, with the vast Colorado River canyon system spreading to the east and south. The additional 300 feet of elevation change compared to the Rim Trail adds a slight challenge and accesses terrain not visible from the main point. Wildflowers, primarily in the form of desert annuals, bloom briefly after winter rains. Cryptobiotic soil crust is present throughout the mesa surface, and hikers are asked to stay on designated trails to protect this fragile, slow-growing biological community. Leashed dogs are permitted. The $20 per vehicle fee covers access to all areas of the park.