Events
November
Star Party: Fairest of Them All
Saturday, November 22nd at 5:30pm
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? The Heavens tell of one so fair her beauty stirred up the jealousy of the gods themselves. Today, she gives her name to an entire galaxy, visible to the naked eye, and enhanced by a telescope! Join us for Star Party Saturdays throughout the winter, with a unique theme every week! The theme of November 22nd will be “Fairest of Them All!” Meet at the Mountain Bike Lot at 5:30pm!
Telescopic Geo-Tour
Tuesday, November 25th at 4:00pm
The Colorado Plateau, upon which Dead Horse Point State Park sits, bears some of the most stunning and unique geological features in the world! As the sun sets on the red rocks of the Four Corners region, peer through a telescope and learn about the natural history and geology of the landscape surrounding the Dead Horse Point Overlook. Meet at the Dead Horse Point Shade Shelter at 4:00pm on Tuesday, November 25th, for this exciting Ranger-led event!
Star Party: Riders in the Sky
Saturday, November 29th at 5:30pm
Did you know that from our perspective here on earth, all of the heavens appear to follow a set path throughout the sky? Learn about the various kinds of riders in the sky and how their motions influence and inspire us here below. Join us for Star Party Saturdays throughout the winter, with a unique theme every week! The theme of November 29th will be “Fairest of Them All!” Meet at the Mountain Bike Lot at 5:30pm!
December
Full Moon Hike: The Cold Moon
Thursday, December 4th at 5:30pm
December’s Full Moon, called the Cold Moon, traditionally signifies the coming of winter. But what does winter in the desert look like? Join us for our monthly Full Moon Hike as we follow a paved loop around our Visitor Center and explore the changes winter brings to the Colorado Plateau under the light of a cold winter moon. This season at Dead Horse Point can be cold and wet, so dress appropriately! Meet at the steps of the Visitor Center at 5:30pm.
Star Party: The Big Dipper’s Polar Plunge!
Saturday, December 6th at 5:30pm
You may know the Big Dipper, but did you know that at around this time every year, from our perspective here in Utah, this beloved asterism plunges toward the northern horizon? Find out why as we explore the myths and science behind the Big Dipper! Join us for Star Party Saturdays throughout the winter, with a unique theme every week! The theme of December 6th will be “The Big Dipper’s Polar Plunge!” Meet at the Mountain Bike Lot at 5:30pm!
Star Party: The Geminid Meteor Shower
Saturday, December 13th at 5:30pm
What is a meteor shower? These mysterious events occur with regularity, but certain aspects remain difficult to predict! During the peak of December’s Geminid Meteor Shower, learn all about meteors, planets, moons, and other objects in our solar system! Join us for Star Party Saturdays throughout the winter, with a unique theme every week! The theme of December 13th will be “The Geminid Meteor Shower!” Meet at the Mountain Bike Lot at 5:30pm!
Star Party: Stars of Wonder
Wednesday, December 24th at 5:30pm
Join us for a special Star Party this Christmas Eve, at the Dead Horse Point State Park Visitor Center! Hot chocolate will be available for purchase from 5:00pm to 5:30pm. We’ll be using our telescope to explore some of the most magnificent stars in the Milky Way Galaxy, from binary stars to giant stars to star clusters and star remnants. This star party will be held in the Visitor Center parking lot, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm!
Star Party: Seasons in the Sky
Saturday, December 27th at 5:30pm
Throughout human history, the stars have served as our collective calendar, chronicling the passage of time. The stories their constellations tell are among the oldest seasonal tales. Learn these stories as we explore the winter sky and begin to ring in the new year! Join us for Star Party Saturdays throughout the winter, with a unique theme every week! The theme of December 27th will be “Seasons in the Sky!” Meet at the Mountain Bike Lot at 5:30pm!
First Day Hike: Bighorn Trail
Thursday, January 1st at 9:00am
Do your New Year Resolutions include staying in shape, spending more time in nature, exploring new places, or making new friends? Join a Park Ranger at Dead Horse Point State Park for a First Day Hike out to one of our favorite overlooks in the park at the end of the Bighorn Trail! We’ll meet at the Visitor Center at 9:00am! As park operations will be limited on this holiday, the leading ranger will check receipts for proper admission fee self-payments, or facilitate alternative payment methods at the Visitor Center from 8:30am to the program start time. This hike will be approximately 3 miles in total, crossing rough, uneven, and potentially slick terrain. Please dress appropriately!