Searching for the top places to see near Hanksville, Utah? After spending two weeks exploring all around the area, I can say, without hesitation, that it is one of the most surreal looking places to adventure in the country! This area of southern Utah will have you feeling like you’ve left planet Earth! My extreme love for this region stems not only from its insane beauty, but from its utter remoteness. There are no crowds, wide open spaces for days, limitless hikes to take and ceaseless adventures to be had! In this post, I’ll show you my top 9 Hanksville, Utah destinations you won’t want to miss here!
ℙ𝕠𝕤𝕥 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤:
- How to protect & preserve these lands
- Top Places to See Near Hanksville, Utah
- Long Dong Silver
- Factory Butte
- Moonscape Overlook
- Mars Desert Research Station
- Little Egypt
- Henry Mountains
- Goblin Valley State Park
- Temple of the Sun & Moon, Cathedral Valley
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- The distance of each place from Hanksville
- How to get to each place listed
- What makes them a “top place” to see!
- Photography tips for each location
DISCLOSURE:
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS AND I RECEIVE A COMMISSION IF YOU VISIT A LINK AND BUY SOMETHING ON MY RECOMMENDATION. PURCHASING VIA AN AFFILIATE LINK DOESN’T COST YOU ANY EXTRA, AND I ONLY RECOMMEND PRODUCTS AND SERVICES I TRUST. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. FOR MORE DETAILS SEE MY DISCLOSURE AND PRIVACY POLICY.
Top Places to See Near Hanksville Utah:
LEAVE NO TRACE
Before I begin diving into this guide, it’s more important than ever to know the following bullet points and to help protect these beautiful public lands and parks when you visit!
- Be sure to pack out every single last thing you bring with you! This includes: orange peels, pistachio shells and even your poo! The desert is a super fragile environment where biodegradable things take way longer to break down.
- Be well aware of OHV signs and know where you’re allowed to travel cross country and where you’re prohibited. Again, very fragile environment here!
- Look out for Cryptobiotic Soil! It is a dark, crusty type of soil you’ll see in many places in the area. And… it’s ALIVE! Cryptobiotic Soil is a community of living organisms that helps its surrounding environment to survive and thrive. It’s also very fragile and stepping on it can damage the entire ecosystem (which is very detrimental)!
It’s also important to recognize that these destinations, listed in my guide below, are Nuwuvi (Southern Paiute) and Nuu-agha-tuvu-pu (Ute) lands.
For more information regarding all of the Leave No Trace principles and their extreme importance, please visit https://lnt.org.Top Places to See Near Hanksville Utah:
DESTINATION #1: LONG DONG SILVER
Distance from Hanksville:
Long Dong Silver is one of the closest places on this list to the actual town of Hanksville being it’s only a short, 9-minute drive to the pull-off spot.
How to get there:
This place has no official name but the given nickname for it is “Long Dong Silver” according to most of my online searches. I don’t know who decided upon such a name but it is quite amusing nonetheless. To get there, pull off to the side of Route 24, about 7.4 miles to the west of Hanksville, and park around these coordinates on the righthand side: 38.3695667, -110.8405937. Then, walk roughly 2 miles back the wash until you reach the black spire (Long Dong Silver) at the following coordinates: 38.3938608, -110.8322735. It’s an easy walk, but very exposed, so be sure to bring lots of water and sun protection!
Why it’s a top place to see:
I mean…have you ever seen anything else quite like it?! This place screams fantasy-fiction world such as the likes of Mordor from Lord of the Rings. The massive black spire of Long Dong Silver towers over the dark, barren landscape and is encircled by crazy-textured buttes. I am obsessed with finding unique places and this rock formation is one of the most unique I’ve seen in the country due to its extremely sharp point, narrow stature and intense, ominous coloring. Even better? This place is very hidden and not easily found by most! Thus, it’s a secret treasure you’ll likely get to enjoy all to yourself!
Photography tip:
Of course, sunrise and sunset have the best lighting, but I preferred the lighting at sunset more. Also, to snag the best angle (in my opinion) walk to the far side of the spire up against the back butte’s wall. An 85mm lens was used for the first photograph (in above carousel) and I used my 75-300mm (at 100mm) for the second shot (in above carousel).
Lastly, be sure to wear bright colors (i.e. red, yellow or white) if you want the subject to stand out against the dark scenery!
Top Places to See Near Hanksville Utah:
DESTINATION #2: FACTORY BUTTE
Distance from Hanksville:
Factory Butte is only ~20 minutes from Hanksville off of Route 24, heading west.
How to get there:
To get here, drive west on Route 24 for 11 miles and, then, turn right onto N. Factory Butte Road. You will see this staggering landmark miles before you get to it! Unlike Long Dong Silver, Factory Butte is VERY easy to find! It is also in Google Maps, just type in “Factory Butte” and voila!
Why it’s a top place to see:
The undulating, multi-colored (yellow, orange, purple, gray) badlands slithering up to the isolated, flat-topped peak of Factory Butte defy earthly logic and… behold! You’re faced with a jaw-dropping wonder! Similar to Long Dong Silver, Factory Butte is surrounded by stark, barren land passable as another planet, no doubt! However, Factory Butte’s sheer size and alien-like texture is incomparable! In my opinion, it is evident as to how it got its name: it looks just like giant factory rising from a foreign land. Though this region of Utah is chock-full of stellar buttes, Factory Butte is a contender for the coolest of them all.
Photography tip:
Either sunrise or sunset works for ideal lighting at this destination! However, I chose to shoot during sunset and was ecstatic with the deep, dark vibes the purple hues provided me with. After driving all around the monumental butte, we circled back to the beginning (closer to the main road) deciding it was the best spot for this particular lighting. The above photos were taken about half-way between the OHV pull-off (on the left) and the road to moonscape overlook (on the right) if you’re coming from Route 24.
Another great option and tip: find some rocks to frame your shot of Factory Butte with! Below is an example taken from our friend Helder’s instagram feed. We met Helder during our first evening exploring Hanksville and became fast friends with the talented photographer.
Top Places to See Near Hanksville Utah:
DESTINATION #3: MOONSCAPE OVERLOOK
Distance from Hanksville:
It’ll take you roughly 30 minutes (19 miles) from the town of Hanksville to arrive to Moonscape Overlook.
How to get there:
To start, you’ll drive the same route you took to get to Factory Butte (listed above) before finally turning right off of N. Factory Butte road and onto a rougher, yet still manageable, dirt road. The coordinates for the righthand turn which will lead you directly to moonscape are: 38.4487810, -110.8825910. According to Google Maps, the road these coordinates lead you down is called “Skyline View Rd“. Lastly, it is very important to note: if you do not take this route, using these coordinates, Google Maps will automatically take you down an alternate route that is extremely sketchy and hard to pass through via a non-OHV vehicle. Be sure to turn at the coordinates I have provided above! Your final destination coordinates are: 38.4522250, -110.8380570.
Why it’s a top place to see:
Just in case the photos don’t speak for themselves, let me just say…NEVER in my life have I ever seen such an expansive view of veiny textures and lunar-like waves that go on for miles on end! The view at Moonscape is ABSOLUTELY one-of-a-kind. Unless, of course, you’ve actually walked on the moon because that is the only thing that could even come close to comparing. Even more rad is the fact that you can camp, for free, right at this very scene (though there’s obviously no toilet/shower facilities so be prepared for primitive camping and be sure to follow all the LNT principles). This has to be one of the most epic places to fall asleep and wake up next to!
Photography tip:
From what I’ve gathered throughout my online research, sunrise is the optimal time for photography at Moonscape. However, with that being said, both times I ventured there were during sunset and I was certainly not disappointed! In fact, I feel the shadows give these photographs a more haunting element. Furthermore, I timed it perfectly! It had just stormed prior to the sun setting. Thus, the skies were heavy with moody blues, purples and pinks. Either way, it’s hard to go wrong at this place – anywhere you point your camera, the views will make capturing a superb shot simple!
Top Places to See Near Hanksville Utah:
DESTINATION #4: MARS DESERT RESEARCH STATION (MDRS)
Distance from Hanksville:
Mars is only 6.7 miles from Hanksville and takes about 15-20 minutes to arrive at (who knew the planet was so close?! ha ha)
How to get there:
To arrive at MDRS, head west out of Hanksville along Route 24 once again. After driving a little over 3 miles, you’ll turn right onto the unpaved “S. Cow Dung” road (the names of these places and routes kill me!). Drive for another 3+ miles until the research center comes into sight on the left. You don’t necessarily need a 4WD vehicle to navigate this road, however, be very cautious of the weather conditions. If it has recently rained, 4WD quickly becomes a necessity.
Why it’s a top place to see:
Not only does this area act as an exact replica to the planet Mars – it does so so well that the area was chosen for field study research because of the terrain’s noticeable similarities to the planet. Astronauts and research crews spend two weeks at a time living in the ‘Habitat” (aka: the HAB) there. They are even required to wear space suits and carry walkie talkies whenever they step outside the Hab into the simulated Martian environment. The Mars Society, an international non-profit organization dedicated to furthering Mars exploration, selects crew and manages the research station. Without a shadow of doubt, you will also be transported to Mars as you walk among this incredibly vibrant, red landscape.
Photography tip:
Upon arrival, you’ll see a small, gravel parking area with a pathway leading to views of the research station. Though this is the closest you’re able to get to the facility, I think the best photo-ops are further down the road. There you’re able to use a telephoto lens and frame the white structures by using the rolling, red mounds as foreground (see photo above). Overall, this will result in a more pleasing and interesting shot! MDRS is a private research facility focusing on simulating real-life missions to Mars and any unwanted distractions, such as visitors getting closer than the marked pathway, puts their research at risk!
Top Places to See Near Hanksville Utah:
DESTINATION #5: LITTLE EGYPT
Distance from Hanksville:
A quick and easy 25-30 minute drive down Utah State Route 95 will bring you to Little Egypt.
How to get there:
Once again, do not listen to Google Maps when you plug in “Little Egypt” because it will, indeed, take you onto an ATV route completely impassible by any vehicle, 4WD or not. Rather, plug in these coordinates (38.0971898, -110.6216349) and head south on Utah State Route 95 until you reach them. Once there, make a righthand turn (I believe the road name is Turkey Knob Rd) and at the very next intersection you almost immediately come to, turn left. Now, drive for less than 2 miles until you see Little Egypt. Easy-peasy!
Why it’s a top place to see:
To begin with, Little Egypt is a smaller yet more secluded version of Goblin Valley! Though it doesn’t boast quite as impressive goblin-like rock formations, it does offer its visitors an unmatched peacefulness and seclusion to make up for it. It’s a rather unpopular spot – not many know of – and you’re most likely to have it all to yourself (especially if you’re a light-chasing photographer up at the crack of dawn). Moreover, Little Egypt is closer to the Henry Mountains than Goblin Valley. Getting to view these mesmerizing, red hoodoos against the snow-capped peaks equals a gorgeous juxtaposition.
Photography tip:
Absolutely head to Little Egypt to photograph at sunrise – this one is an easy choice! Otherwise, if you wait until sunset, the hoodoos and formations will all be cast in shadow as the sun dips behind the mountains and canyon walls. Therefore, losing all that gorgeous light! You WANT the sun to be shining on those reds, making their brilliance glow with ferocity.
Top Places to See Near Hanksville Utah:
DESTINATION #6: HENRY MOUNTAINS
Distance from Hanksville:
This all depends on where you’re heading to among the mountain range. But, the route we traveled up into the mountains along takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to reach North Summit Ridge. To reach the base of the mountains, from Hanksville, will only take ~30 minutes.
How to get there:
Again, you can reach these mountains from all over this region (even on their southern side closer to Lake Powell). However, to drive into them the quickest from Hanksville, you will turn left off of Route 24 onto S 100 E. This road quickly becomes Sawmill Basin Road (also named S. Lonesome Beaver Road). You’ll stay on this road the whole way – zigging and zagging through the mountain passes! Be sure to stop near the top of Bull Creek Pass to hike to Mt. Ellen Summit (about 5.6 miles, out and back)! Mount Ellen is the tallest mountain in the Henry Mountain Range. Not into hiking? No worries, there are stunning pull-offs along the entire drive up. Among the first pull-offs, you can see Canyonlands in the distance as well as Factory Butte – the views are endless.
Why it’s a top place to see:
These beautiful and quiet mountains are so remote that they were the last mountain range to be mapped in the lower 48 states! Even more, they are home to approximately 350 American bison – bison that are only 1 of 3 genetically purebred herds left. If you’re anything life me, the absolute solitude is a top appeal! Want to get away from ALL people? Hell, even sunbathe in the nude? Welp! You’re in luck – the Henry Mountains is the place for all that and more.
Photography Tip:
Even though I ran out of time during my 2+ weeks in Hanksville and, unfortunately, didn’t get to capture any bison photographs – the herd can likely be found in the Cave Flat/Airplane Springs during early spring, Swap Mesa in the winter and Star Flat/Burned Ridge in the early summer. You are most likely to see them during the hours of dusk and dawn while they’re grazing.
Top Places to See Near Hanksville Utah:
DESTINATION #7: GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK
Distance from Hanksville:
The entrance to Goblin Valley State Park is a 35-minute drive (32 miles) from the town of Hanksville.
How to get there:
The easiest of them all to find as it’s a well-mapped, state park with convenient accessibility for its guests. Simply type “Goblin Valley State Park” into Google Maps and BAM! You’re there! For a further description: take Route 24 northeast out of Hanksville, turn left onto Temple Mt. Rd and, lastly, another left onto Goblin Valley Road. Three roads with ample signage equals an easy drive to the park.
Why it’s a top place to see:
In my humble but honest opinion, Goblin Valley ranks up there with a few of Utah’s National Parks and shouldn’t be missed! In some spots, the goblin rock formations and hoodoos are extremely close together and produce a maze-like playground ideal for exploration enthusiasts. I spent an entire afternoon roaming the Goblin Valley section (the park’s main attraction) where there’s a large open area littered with crazy-looking formations, left and right. Once down in the valley, it looks like you are walking on a different planet – so much so, that even a Hollywood movie, Galaxy Quest, was filmed there! I continued my journey back through the canyon, climbing over boulders and through slots, before ascending to the top of the canyon rim. Here, I reached outstanding views spanning the entirety of the goblin-ridden valley below (see first photo in above slide).
Photography Tip:
Get creative and have fun with the variety of shots to be had here! But, like I mentioned in the previous paragraph, be sure to blaze your way through the valley (the park’s main attraction), back the canyon and up to the top of the rim for some peaceful and unbeatable views (away from the crowds!). To reach the crazy dome-formation featured in my second slide above, head to these coordinates (38.5608070, -110.6984913) and discover a plethora of wild photo-ops (another one of my favorite areas)!
Top Places to See Near Hanksville Utah:
DESTINATION #8: TEMPLE OF THE SUN & MOON, CATHEDRAL VALLEY
Distance from Hanksville:
Though the Temples are only 35 miles from Hanksville, the drive will take roughly 1.5 hours due to the long, dirt road you must travel on.
How to get there:
The easiest way to get there, which requires no river crossings or high-clearance vehicles, is via Cathedral Road. Drive west from Hanksville on.. you guessed it: Route 24. Next, turn right onto Cathedral Road near Caineville and stay on this dirt/gravel road for 16 miles to reach the temples. Now, if you enter Capitol Reef National Park via Route 24, you’ve definitely gone too far! I would go as far as saying: 4WD isn’t even needed for this route (unless it has recently rained – be mindful of weather conditions). We have a 4WD Dodge Ram truck and didn’t need to switch over from 2WD the whole way there or back.
Why it’s a top place to see:
The entirety of Capitol Reef National Park is a must-explore place BUT…that’s a whole other post in itself. With that in mind, Temple of the Sun and Moon are one of the top, most remarkable sights in the park! Not only can you primitive camp in your van, vehicle, camper or tent here, but you can feast your eyes upon two adjacent, free-standing monoliths appropriately named: Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon. Both are comprised of spectacular, buff-pink Entrada Sandstone reaching impressive heights of hundreds of feet. To be exact: Temple of the Sun stands 405 feet tall and Temple of the Moon reaches 205 feet.
Photography Tip:
Unlike my previous tips, this tip centers around what not to do while photographing here. Remember that alive and very fragile cryptobiotic soil I mentioned (regarding LNT)? Well, this area has it in plenty! And, most top-notch photographers you see on Instagram seem to disregard this (or don’t care to protect the environment they play on). Why do I say this? Well, the most popular shot scattered all over the ‘gram is the one below AND, low and behold, there is no path leading to this viewpoint. Rather, these photographers have walked off trail and atop a plethora of delicate soil, damaging it all the while. Please, don’t be that person. Lastly, these temples are, in fact, inside the national park boundaries. Therefore…NO FLYING DRONES (I unfortunately witnessed this happen during my time there as well).
Top Places to See Near Hanksville Utah:
DESTINATION #9: GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Distance from Hanksville:
This area is rather large so, depending on where you want to explore, it could take a wide range of time to get there. I chose to head to the Bullfrog Bay area which is little over an hour drive from Hanksville.
How to get there:
To get there, take 95 South until you reach 276. Take a righthand turn onto 276 ending at Bullfrog Bay.
Why it’s a top place to see:
Who doesn’t want to explore amidst 1,254,429 acres of rugged, colorful, desert terrain encompassing the massive Lake Powell?! There’s endless opportunities for all the adventure fun, both on and off the lake. But, what makes this place stand out from the rest on the list? WATER, of course! It’s pretty odd yet amazing to see such a sizable body of water set amid such desert scenery – the blue radiates against the red in wild, wild ways. Not to mention, visitors to Glen Canyon can have unique desert experiences not afforded by the other places above, such as: jet ski, boat, swim, kayak, SUP + more!
Photography Tip:
Use a polarizer filter on your lens! It helps to reduce reflections and glare by filtering out light that has become polarized due to reflection from a non-metallic surface, such as…water. Essentially, this means it cuts down on certain types of light in a way that can benefit your imagery.
While endlessly adventuring in the dry climate during your Hanksville explorations, it’s crucial to be optimally hydrated! Enter: Liquid I.V.
Liquid I.V. is a hydration multiplier packet with a variety of delicious flavors (no seriously, they taste SO good) that you simply add to your water to replenish electrolytes and rapidly hydrate!
Use my code: MINDYONTHEMOVE25 for 25% off your online order + free shipping (click on image above to shop).
For more on the U.S. Southwest, Check out my travel guide “Southwest Road Trip of a Lifetime“.
As always, thank you so much for reading and I’d love any feedback at all! Please share your thoughts, comments and questions below.
Happy Travels,
Mindy (on the move)
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