What you need to know when camping in Dead Horse Point State Park. View from the famous Dead Horse Point Overlook during our last camping trip

Dead Horse Point State Park Camping: Everything You Need to Know

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Dead Horse State Point Park camping is an amazing and less well-known option for a trip to Moab. The two campgrounds, Wingate Campground and Kayenta Campground, in this Utah State Park, offer tent camping, RV camping or staying in a yurt.

We spent Thanksgiving in our RV at the Kayenta Campground at Dead Horse Point State Park.  We found this place to be a secret gem in the Moab area.  It’s a perfect place for staying a couple of days to explore Dead Horse Point State Park and a base for adventuring around Moab.  

Guide to camping and glamping at Dead Horse Point State Park. Camping in a tent, staying in an RV with electric, enjoying a yurt, and other camping options near Dead Horse Point State Park.

We spent 4 days camping here, taking in the scenic views and hiking the trails at Dead Horse State Park.  During that time, we also made this our home base for visiting Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and the Moab area. 

After spending time here we think Dead Horse Point State Park is a surprisingly nice place to camp. 

We were happy to have the RV and electricity in the cold late November nights.  Tent camping would be really enjoyable in the early fall and late spring when the daytime weather is mild and the nights are cool but not too cold.  

Plan your visit to Dead Horse Point State Park. Stop at the Visitor Center first. Visitor Center Overlook at Dead Horse Point State Park
Visitor Center Overlook

Another option at this park is staying in one of the yurts at the campgrounds.  You would have more structure than a tent and heat/air conditioning, yet the same feel of camping. 

This article is a part of our series on the Moab Area. You will find our other articles useful for planning your trip to Dead Horse Point State Park, the National Parks, and Moab:


What You Need to Know About Camping at Dead Horse Point 

There are two Dead Horse Point campgrounds, the Kayenta and the Wingate campground.  Both campgrounds have tent sites, RV accommodations, and yurts.

Camping under the milky way – Deposit Photos

We stayed in the newer Wingate Campground in our travel trailer in November. The whole park and campgrounds were relatively quiet and we had so much fun camping.  

If you are considering a Dead Horse Point State Park camping trip you should try to reserve your campsite before your arrival.

The sites can be reserved ahead of time online or are sometimes available first-come-first-serve during the offseason.  This campground is quite popular and can fill up fast, so we suggest you reserve your site online before you arrive. 

  • Nightly Rate: Hike-in campsites $35
  • Camp Fee for RV: $40 per night
  • $15 fee for extra vehicles
  • In the offseason campsites might be available same day
  • Maximum of eight people per site
  • Maximum RV length 56 feet
  • Reservations can be made here

Wingate and Kayenta Campgrounds are have developed campsites for tents and RVs. Each campground also has yurt for rent.

Each campsite in both campgrounds has a tent pad, fire pit, picnic table, shelter, food box, and electrical outlets. Restroom facilities are a short walk from the campsites and have running water for handwashing.  Showers are not available due to the lack of water in the park. 

You can enjoy a campfire in the evening but collecting firewood is not allowed.  The desert vegetation takes a long time to grow so even small sticks should be left in place.  Firewood bundles are available for sale at the visitor’s center. 

Pets are welcome but must be leashed and supervised.  Unattended pets are not allowed for their safety and the comfort of other campers. 

RV sites have generous space with both back in and pull through options.  This campground can accommodate unusually large RVs up to 56 feet in length.  

The RV sites have electrical hookups but not water or sewer.  The water is trucked into the park so you must fill in town before arriving at the park.

A dump station is available at the Wingate campground.  We took full advantage of the electrical to run heaters on the cold nights and enjoy a hot warm breakfast.  Also, as we left, we used the dump station and dumpsters to throw out our trash. 


Kayenta Campground

Guide to camping at Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab Utah. Kayenta Campsite #3 at Dead Horse Point State Campgrou
Kayenta Campsite #3

Kayenta Campground is very a short hike to the famous Dead Horse Point and is a perfect place to enjoy the sunrise, sunset or stargazing. 

The campground has 21 campsites among a juniper grove and established vegetation. The campsites and tent pads are mostly sand. 

All sites have elective hookups.  The standard 3 prong outlets are handy for those tent campers who want to bring along their computer and an extension cord.  The campground has hiking trails lead directly from the campground to the West Rim Trail, East Rim Trail, or the Visitor Center.

Online reviews indicate the best sites are #11 and #13. 


Wingate Campground

Wingate is the newer of the park’s campgrounds, open in 2018.   Located atop the mesa, this campsite offers great views of the canyon and nearby mountains.  

We stayed at the Wingate campground in our RV.   We did look at all the different RV camping options in the Moab area and found this was the best option for a larger camper. 

Guide to camping at Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab Utah. Scenic View from Wingate Campground at Dead Horse Point State Park
Scenic View from Wingate Campsite

The camp’s RV-equipped sites accommodate vehicles up to 56 feet long, which is much more generous than RV accommodations in Arches or Canyonlands National Park. 

Although it was late November some people were there enjoying tent camping over the holiday weekend. 

I think this would be a great place to tent camp with kids when the nights are a little warmer.  

Of the 31 campsites, 20 of them offer RV pads and electric. The rest are “hike-in” only giving you a little room from your camping neighbors.

The restrooms have running water and this campground has a dishwashing station but no showers.  The water is trucked in so showers and RV water hookups are not available. 

The Wingate site, however, does have an RV dumping station, which was quite nice.  You can use the dump station if you stay in either campground.  We dumped and took advantage of the dumpsters on our way out. 

You can see and download the pdf map of the Wingate Campground here


Dead Horse Point State Park Yurts

Yurts originated in Central Asia, where nomadic people built round structures as a portable home to live in.  Today many people have discovered the benefits of staying in these unique accommodations.    

Enjoy staying in yurt at Dead Horse Point State Park Campground. This has more comforts than tent camping
Yurt #7

With this glamping option, you can enjoy the benefits of camping but have a bed and heat/AC.    The yurts at Dead Horse Point State Park campgrounds have futons, bunks, tables and sleep six.  You will need to bring your own bedding, whether sleeping bags or sheets and blankets.  

Each yurt has a patio, outdoor tables and a propane grill for enjoying meals outside.  

Similar to tent camping, you will not have indoor plumbing and toilets.  Bathrooms with running water and sinks are available nearby.

  • Nightly Rate: $140.00
  • Maximum number of people is 6
  • Pets are not allowed.
  • Check-in: 3:00 pm      Check-out: 12:00 pm
  • Extra Vehicle Fee: $15.00 (there is a maximum of 6 persons per yurt)
  • Door Code: The code to your yurt will be listed on your email confirmation. If you do not get an email with the code please contact the park between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Moenkopi Yurts

The Moenkopi Yurts, are in the Kenyata Campground.  Six yurts are available and are right near the Intrepid Trail.  Dead Horse Point Park said that Yurts 1, 2 and 3 in the Moenkopi Yurt area the popular yurts. So these might be good to consider.  (source)


Wingate Yurts

The Wingate Yurts opened in 2018 in the Wingate campground. Four yurts are available to rent and are located on the north side of the campground, away from the other campsites. 

The view while staying in a yurt at the Wingate Campground. Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab Utah.
View from the Wingate yurt

The view from the deck to the north is of the canyons.  Also, the sites have convenient access to our Dead Horse Point Rim Hiking Trails and the Visitor Center. 


Extra help with Camping in the Utah State Parks

 If you would like to go camping, but not worry about logistics and hauling along the gear, you might consider renting camping equipment.   You will find many companies that will rent camping equipment and even set up your campsite for an extra fee.

I found the following companies in Moab that have excellent reviews and come recommended. Although, we have not used any of these services because we drive just a few hours to visit the Moab area.

Canyon Voyages Adventure Company is primarily a rafting outfitter but rents camping equipment

Outdoors Geek has a basic camping package starting at $69 or a family camping package starting at $234.

The Utah Camping Company offers help renting gear and setting up camp.  You can rent camping gear, trailers, and tents. It also offers help setting up your campsite for an extra fee.


Camping Near Dead Horse Point State Park

Some options for camping near the state park are in the Moab area and the other national parks.  We have written about things to do in Arches National Park, Canyonlands, and camping in the Moab area.

Willow Flat Island in the Sky Campground
Campsite at Willow Flat Campground at Island in the Sky – Canyonlands

Private Campgrounds and RV Parks

Free Dispersed Camping Near Dead Horse Point State Park

You might like to camp for free on the BLM, Manti-La-Sal National Forest, and other public lands. 

Stop by the BLM field office or the Forest Service Moab Ranger District office and ask for directions to the best-dispersed camping spots.  

After a review of free camping near Dead Horse Point State Park, here are some of the people who have visited the area’s favorite campsites:

  • Cowboy Camping area on Grand View Point Road
  • Willow Springs Road on BLM lands
  • Castleton Tower BLM access point
  • Yellow Circle Road on BLM
  • Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackways 

Although dispersed campsites are free, you must follow some important rules. So keep these things in mind when planning your camping trip.

  • Bring 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking, cooking, and washing. 
  • You are required to have a portable toilet to dispose of your waste.  
  • Gathering firewood is prohibited in the dry desert landscape.
  • Camping is limited to 14 days
  • Use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances

Final Thoughts about Dead Horse Point State Park Camping

Camping near Canyonlands National Park Moab
Kids making s’mores while camping

As you can see you have a lot of different camping options to choose from.  We found the campground facilities to be perfect for our family.  This central location gave us time to explore the state park and nearby national parks and Moab area. 

If you choose to camp at Dead Horse Point State Park you can read our Guide to Planning Your visit at Dead Horse Point State Park.

Other Resources in our series on the Moab area that you might like to help plan your trip:

If you would like to camp at Dead Horse Point State Park you can choose tent camping, RV camping or renting a yurt at the campground.

What do you think of camping at Dead Horse Point State Park?

Thinking of traveling here next? Let us help you, Take advantage of our planners and journals to smooth your travel plans.

Guide to camping and glamping at Dead Horse Point State Park. Camping in a tent, staying in an RV with electric, enjoying a yurt, and other camping options near Dead Horse Point State Park.
Guide to camping and glamping at Dead Horse Point State Park. Camping in a tent, staying in an RV with electric, enjoying a yurt, and other camping options near Dead Horse Point State Park.
Shauna Kocman founder Family Travel Fever
Shauna Kocman founder of Family Travel Fever

Hi, I’m Shauna – Welcome to Family Travel Fever.  We are a large family, that was bitten by the travel bug!  I take the kids by myself because I don’t mind flying or driving solo with my crew to discover the coolest places.

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