Events

February

Cupid’s Constellations
Saturday, February 14th at 6:30pm

Love is in the air (or, more properly, in space!) in this special Valentine’s Day Constellation Quest! Bring someone you love and learn all about the stories of romance written in the stars, from the swoon-worthy story of Perseus and Andromeda to the heart-wrenching tragedy of Orion and Artemis. In our Constellation Quest, we’ll use a telescope and binoculars to explore inseparable binary stars, the swelling hearts of star clusters, and the glistening rings of nebulae and distant galaxies. This event will begin at 6:30pm on Saturday, February 14th, at 6:30pm at the Mountain Bike Lot!

Pedal to the Past
Saturday, February 21st at 4:00pm

Pedal out to the historic haul line with a Park Ranger in this Mountain Biking Adventure! While cycling, we’ll take a few rest breaks to discuss the history of the area, from prehistory to early settlement to the Uranium Boom of the 1950s, visiting several interesting and unique historical sites! We will be pedaling approximately 6 miles in total, across easy to moderate terrain along the Great Pyramid and Cable Line Trails. Bring your own mountain bike, helmet, and water! There will be no mountain bike rentals available to rent from within the park on this date.

Meander by Moonlight
Saturday, February 28th at 6:30pm

Meander Overlook is among the most photographed points in the park, and for good reason! This scenic spot offers a look at the gooseneck of the mighty Colorado River! But have you seen this classic view by the light of the moon and stars? Take a hike under the waxing moon with a Park Ranger out to Meander Overlook in a certified Dark Sky Park at Dead Horse Point! On this hike, we’ll discuss the history, geology, and ecology of Dead Horse Point and the surrounding Colorado Plateau, hiking approximately 3 miles in total across uneven desert terrain. Come dressed for a cold adventure! Trail conditions may be icy and hazardous. A headlamp and hiking shoes are strongly encouraged! Meet at the Point Shade Shelter at 6:30pm on Saturday, February 28th!

March

Worm Moon Walk
Tuesday, March 3rd at 6:30pm

With winter drawing to a close, take a short, guided walk along a paved nature trail as the Full Moon begins to rise. Under the light of the Worm Moon, we’ll explore the worms, bugs, and crawling critters of the desert, their life cycles, and how their adaptations shed light on local ecology. Along the way, we’ll also take a closer look at lunar geology and how the Moon’s surface tells its own stories. Dress for cool weather and bring a red light! Our Worm Moon Walk will be held Tuesday, March 3rd, at 6:30pm, meeting at the steps of the Visitor Center! We will be walking approximately 0.25 miles, over the course of half an hour.

Basin Bound! Nature Journey
Saturday, March 14th at 4:30pm

Join a Park Ranger on a guided afternoon hike out to the Basin Overlook along the East Rim Trail of Dead Horse Point State Park, and experience unforgettable views of the Colorado River Basin! Along the way, we’ll discuss the wildlife, ecology, and natural history of the Dead Horse Mesa, and explore the ways the Colorado River, 2000 feet beneath our feet, continues to shape the landscape! Bring hiking shoes, water, and warm, active clothing! Our Basin Bound! Nature Journey will be held Saturday, March 14th, from 4:30pm to 6:00pm, beginning at the steps of the Visitor Center. We will be hiking approximately 2 miles over the course of 1.5 hours.

Bighorn History Hike
Thursday, March 19th at 5:30pm

How did Dead Horse Point get its name? Why do the roads deep down in the canyon seemingly lead to nowhere? What evidence does the park still hold of those who’ve come before us? Bring all these questions and more when you join a Park Ranger in a hike out to Bighorn Overlook and discuss the history of Dead Horse Point and the wild west! Please bring hiking shoes and plenty of water! Our Bighorn History Hike will be held Thursday, March 19th, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, beginning at the steps of the Visitor Center. We will be hiking approximately 3 miles over the course of 2 hours.

Astro Arts
Saturday, March 21st at 9:30am

In this family fun program, learn about the stars, and take home your very own astronomy craft! We’ll be building gemstone star charts, and discussing how the night sky can inspire wonder, creativity, and storytelling! This activity is open to all ages and abilities! Astro Arts will be held Saturday, March 21st, from 9:30am to 10:00am at the Dead Horse Point State Park Visitor Center! Then, after you explore the park, come show off your creations and explore the stars by night in our Constellation Quest that same evening!

Constellation Quest! Orion the Hunter
Saturday, March 21st at 8:00pm

Come explore the night skies above an International Dark Sky Park! Learn how to identify major winter asterisms and discover the stories of their associated constellations with the aid of lasers, binoculars, and a telescope. In this month’s Constellation Quest, we’ll discuss Orion the Hunter, known for his prominent belt, joined by his companions Canis Major and Canis Minor on the hunt for their prey, Lepus. The exciting tale of the fate of Orion is written on the stars, and with the help of a Ranger, you can read it too! Our Constellation Quest will be held at the Mountain Bike Lot on Saturday, March 21st, from 8:00pm to 10:00pm.

Telescopic Geo-Tour
Friday, March 27th at 6:30pm

Rock formations visible from Dead Horse Point State Park tell the story of millions of years of local geological history, revealing the past lives of our high desert landscape. Previous deep ocean floors, rolling desert ergs, and raptor-ravaged ravines now stand before us as thousands of feet of stone. With the aid of a telescope, we’ll get up close with the mountains, canyons, laccoliths, fins, arches, buttes, and mesmerizing landscapes surrounding the park. Our Telescopic Geo-Tour will be held Friday, March 27th, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, meeting at the Dead Horse Point Overlook Shade Shelter.

Scorpion Search
Saturday, March 28th at 8:00pm

Dead Horse Point State Park is home to several species of scorpion, from the fearsome Arizona Bark Scorpion down to the tiny Sawfinger Scorpion. One thing these critters have in common is that, under UV light, they glow a brilliant green! Following a brief Park Ranger presentation on these fascinating creatures, grab a UV flashlight and search the Intrepid Trail for scorpions! How many can you find? This Scorpion Search will begin at the Dead Horse Point State Park Visitor Center. Attendees will begin their search together, and may search an area of up to 2 miles wide. If you have your own UV light, you are welcome to bring it! Red lights and head lamps are also encouraged! Please dress for cool weather, and bring water! This event begins at 8:00pm, and will last about one hour!