Category Archives: State Parks
Color Returns to the Trails at Dead Horse Point State Park
The month of May marks a fantastic change in the plant life at Dead Horse Point State Park. Despite the dry winter, the plants are returning with brilliant color. This is an excellent month for photographers, artists or anyone interested in desert flowers to visit the park. The variety of colors found right at the trails’ edge is enough to entice anyone to hike a bit further. The deciduous trees and shrubs of the park have awakened from their winter slumber and are bringing lush green tones and lively zest to the red rock landscape. Hikers are sure to be pleased by the sweet fragrance drifting from flowering shrubs.
The blossoming of cacti is an event not to be missed. For a brief time of the year these spiny desert icons turn into splashes of color on the landscape. Be it a prickly pear, claret cup or fishhook, each cactus brings their own significant flower to the mix. The prickly pear, the most common cactus in the park, is known for large flowers of yellow, pink and orange. 
The claret cup grows in a clustered mound spotted with fiery red flowers that have a golden base. The… Read the rest
Posted in State Parks, Trails
Tagged claret cup, dead horse point, prickly pear cactus, utah state parks
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Spring Riding at Dead Horse Point State Park
May is nearly here and with it comes the onset of the tourist season at Dead Horse Point State Park. Park staff is looking forward to a great season of interpretive programs, school field trips, guided hikes, and the daily assortment of visitors from around the world. The abnormally warm and relatively snowless winter has paved the way for abundant outdoor activities this spring. Despite the fact that March retains a bit of chill in the air, it is an excellent time for both fat and skinny tire cyclists to get rolling.
The Intrepid Trail System at Dead Horse Point State Park offers enjoyable riding for novice mountain bikers and their seasoned counterparts. These trails offer a fun riding experience and astonishing views. Since its’ inception, the Intrepid Trail System has yielded a steady increase in use each season. The varied terrain of all three trails in the Intrepid Trail System are ideal for preparing any rider for the challenge of Moab’s more advanced trails. Many riders have already begun to take advantage of the trails and get a jump start on the riding season. March weather provides good riding conditions, enough daylight and lacks the extreme heat of summer.… Read the rest
Posted in Events and Activities, Parks and Museums, State Parks, Trails
Tagged dead horse point, Moab mountain biking, road cycling, trails
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Antelope Island Morning
With such mild winter weather, it feels like spring has already arrived at the Island – minus the bugs!
Come on out and enjoy the sights, sounds and feeling of this incredible place. If you can stay and enjoy the sunset it will be an experience you won’t forget!
Change of the Seasons
The seasons are now teetering between fall and winter and the roar of tourist season has vanished. January brings tranquility to Dead Horse Point that seemed unimaginable just a short time ago. The hiking trails remain open offering hikers the chance to soak in astonishing views. These are the views that have inspired countless artists and left lasting impressions on visitors worldwide. Winter visitors to the park gain the pleasure of hiking trails where the footprints of others have almost entirely faded, leaving an unspoiled landscape. The Intrepid Trail System remains open until the first big snowfall for those mountain bikers that refuse to let the changing seasons keep their tires out of the dirt. For cold weather campers, the campground offers heated running water restrooms all winter long.
Posted in Events and Activities, State Parks
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Unusually Pleasant Weather
With the unseasonably warm weather, take a hike on Antelope Island!
I also heard, saw or saw signs of:
Bison, coyote, bobcat, cottontail rabbit, northern harrier, and voles/mice.
Posted in Parks and Museums, State Parks
Tagged Antelope Island, Bison, hiking, mountain, raven, state park, trails
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Mmmmm, Easy Campfire Desserts – Snow Canyon State Park
Snow Canyon State Park visitors recently had the chance to try their hand at some easy campfire recipes. Participants in the “Simple Campfire Desserts” program not only left with full bellies but 12-recipes to sample from during their next camp outing. The crowd favorite of the night was “Grilled Chocolate –Raspberry Burritos”. With some hot campfire coals and basic supplies you can sweeten your next camping trip with this simple recipe:
GRILLED CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY BURRITOS
Ingredients:
8-inch flour tortillas
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup fresh raspberries
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
Stack tortillas and place in foil. Place over heat, turning occasionally until tortillas are warm and pliable. Remove and separate. Sprinkle each with chips and berries in the center. Fold in sides and roll up. Brush with melted butter. Place each on rack over heat, cover and grill about 3 minutes until grill marks show and chocolate is melted, turning at least once. Transfer to serving dish and brush with remaining butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over burritos. Serve immediately.
Posted in Parks and Museums, State Parks, Uncategorized
Tagged campfire, camping, desserts, ivins, outdoor cooking, recipes, Snow Canyon, utah
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Hailstone Event Center
Reserve the Hailstone Event Center for your wedding, reception or other special event:
Posted in Parks and Museums, Reservations, State Parks
Tagged francis, heber city, jordanelle reservoir, peoa, receptions, state park, utah state parks, weddings
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Raven Quiz
Common Raven, Corvus corax, is known to be a remarkable, intelligent bird. While working at Dead Horse Point State Park, I have witnessed this species of bird perform barrel rolls while soaring along the cliff edge. In the winter, it will cover the solar light sensor panel with its wing to simulate darkness and triggering the light to turn on. The light then provides just the right amount of heat to ease the pain of winter. When an unkindness of ravens are clearing food out of a campsite, there will be one bird on point to warn of approaching humans. After hearing the alert, the intruder will be surrounded by a sea of black feathers and squawking.
Okay, here is the quiz. Apparently ravens have also learned how to perform for tourists. What do you think this raven is mimicing? It is a sound that is common place if you live in the city.
Please note that it is very dangerous to feed wild animals our processed foods. Their bodies are not able to process these foods the same way human bodies do. The raven diet consists of carrion (dead animals) and other bits of decaying organic matter.
Posted in State Parks, Uncategorized
Tagged birds, corvus corax, intelligence, raven
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Hiking with Your Best Friend at Dead Horse Point State Park
Do you love hiking with your best friend? Bring your furry friend to Dead Horse Point State Park and explore nine miles of scenic vistas along the dog-friendly trails.
Sweeping views of the Colorado River and the canyons below await you both. Along the way, you may see many types of desert animals (e.g. chipmunks, squirrels, lizards, snakes, rabbits, hares, fox, deer). In the spring, the trails are bordered with delicate desert wildflowers adding color to the rugged landscape.
A few things to know before your visit to the park:
- Sandstone tends to be very rough on city dog pads, so you may want to bring some pad salve or booties along to prevent cracks, abrasions or gashes.
- Check your dog’s pads often since they may not let you know they’re hurt with all of the new smells around.
- Be sure to bring plenty of water for you both, there is little shade along the trails.
- For safety reasons, dogs are not allowed on the Intrepid Bike Trail.
Protect the park’s wildlife and keep your pet safe by keeping your dog leashed (no longer than six feet) and under your control at all times. Dog supplies are available in the… Read the rest
Posted in State Parks, Trails, Uncategorized
Tagged dog friendly, pets, trails, utah state parks
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Release of Sharptailed Grouse
The Wildlife Biologist out on Antelope Island has been busy the past few months working on tagging and reintroducing sharptailed grouse to the island.
Watch here as she preps to release another one.
