Dead Horse Point State Park is located in Southern Utah southeast of the town of Moab and approximately 250 miles from Salt Lake City. The exposed formations range from the Kayenta Formation (184-188mya) at the top, down to the Cutler group (270-285mya) at the bottom.  Most of the rocks visible from Dead Horse Point are sedimentary. These different layers were deposited in ancient oceans, extinct deserts, and in freshwater lakes, streams, and floodplains. Despite the abundance of sedimentary rocks present, some rocks visible from Dead Horse Point are of igneous is origin, including the La Sal Mountains. Other formations are metamorphic, having been changed from their original form by heat and pressure within the Earth’s interior. Over time, the Colorado River slowly carved its way through the strata, revealing formations visible today.

Within sight surrounding Dead Horse Point are the Tertiary La Sal, Abajo, and Henry Mountains, formed 48 to 25 Million years ago (Nelson et. al. 1992). These mountains are composed of diorite, derived deep within the Earth, which pushed through the overlying sediments. Over millions of years of erosion, these igneous intrusions, called laccoliths, became exposed. These were then shaped by glaciers during the last glacial maximum, approximately 20,000 years ago, forming the jagged peaks and steep valleys.

Geologic Sequence: 

• Navajo Sandstone: This layer was deposited during the early Jurassic period (Doelling and Thomas, 2000) and large scale cross stratification from Aeolian sediments dominate this formation.  White to pinkish cliffs and rounded domes were formed from shifting sand dunes and represent an ancient erg. There is well developed cross bedding potholes, arches, and natural bridges. This layer is visible from, but not present at, Dead Horse Point. 

• Kayenta Formation: This formation was deposited during the early Jurassic period, 184-188 m.y.a. (Doelling and Thomas, 2000). This formation was deposited by rivers and floodplains. It is comprised of reddish, gray, and lavender sandstone, shale, and siltstone forming ledges. It is the cap rock to Dead Horse Point and contains potholes, dinosaur tracks, and a rich fossil fauna including early mammals, turtles and dinosaurs. 

• Wingate Sandstone: The Wingate sandstone was deposited during the earliest Jurassic period. (Doelling and Thomas, 2000). Large scale aeolian cross-stratification from an ancient erg formed this layer. The cliff faces are often streaked with desert varnish. 

• Chinle Formation: The Chinle formation was deposited during the late Triassic period (Doelling and Thomas, 2000). The sediment that makes up this formation was deposited by non-marine fluvial environments. It is made up of slope-forming reddish, brown, gray and greenish layers of mudstone, shale, and sandstone. This formation also contains petrified wood, volcanic ash, and uranium. 

• Moenkopi formation: The Moenkopi formation was deposited during the lower Triassic period (Doelling and Thomas, 2000). Vast tidal flats and floodplains are responsible for the sediments left behind. It is brick red, reddish brown mudstone and sandstone. Ripples, raindrop marks, and mud cracks are visible in this layer. 

• Cutler Group: The Cutler Group was deposited during the Permian Period (Doelling and Thomas, 2000). Fluvial processes and coast deposits dominate this layer. 

• White Rim Sandstone: Light-colored sandstone formed in offshore sand bars, beach sands and coastal dune environments during middle Permian time (Doelling and Thomas, 2000). Found almost exclusively in the Canyonlands area. 

• Organ Rock Shale: Soft, dark red shale and siltstone deposited in coastal lowlands and tidal flats. Erodes into ledges and slopes except for when it is capped by harder sediments, which then creates towers and pinnacles. 

• Lower Cutler Formation: This layer is exposed at river level and is grey and reddish limestone, sandy shale and sandstone cliffs. It was deposited in shallow seas, coastal plains and freshwater floodplains.