Whispering Sands Motel

Photographing Hanksville: Tips and Tricks

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:26:01 GMT

If you love photographing dramatic landscapes, unusual geology, dark skies, and places that look like they belong on another planet, Hanksville deserves a spot on your camera roll.

The area around Hanksville is filled with some of Utah’s most distinctive scenery — from the towering silhouette of Factory Butte to the layered colors of the Bentonite Hills and the vast, almost lunar view from Moonscape Overlook. Better yet, many of these landscapes are close enough together that you can photograph several completely different environments in a single trip.

Whether you are traveling with professional camera gear or simply using your phone, a little planning can make a huge difference. Here are some of our favorite tips for photographing the Hanksville area.

Start with the light

The desert changes dramatically depending on the time of day.

Early morning and late afternoon usually provide softer light, longer shadows, and more definition in the landscape. Those shadows are especially helpful around Hanksville, where much of the beauty comes from ridges, badlands, buttes, and layers in the terrain.

Midday light can be harsh, but that does not mean you should put your camera away. Bright overhead light can work beautifully for wide desert scenes, unusual textures, road-trip shots, and the more graphic patterns found in the badlands.

If photography is one of the main reasons for your trip, try to save your most important locations for sunrise, sunset, or golden hour.

Watch the weather before heading out

Some of Hanksville’s most photogenic areas are reached by unpaved roads, and the same clay that creates beautiful badland scenery can become extremely difficult to drive on when wet.

The Bureau of Land Management specifically warns that many roads near Moonscape Overlook are clay-based and can quickly become impassable after rain or snow. Cell service can also be limited, so downloading maps before leaving Hanksville is a smart idea. ( Bureau of Land Management )

Always check the forecast before heading into remote areas, and if recent rain has made road conditions questionable, choose another location rather than risking getting stuck.

Photographing Moonscape Overlook

Moonscape Overlook is one of the most recognizable photography locations near Hanksville — and once you arrive, the name makes perfect sense.

From the edge of Skyline Rim, the landscape drops away into miles of deeply eroded hills, ridges, channels, and muted desert colors. The BLM describes the overlook as a popular photography destination overlooking the Lower Blue Hills. ( Bureau of Land Management )

Best Light at Moonscape

Moonscape is particularly dramatic when the sun is low enough to create shadows throughout the badlands.

Sunrise can create beautiful soft light across the landscape, while late afternoon and evening can make the ridges and textures much more pronounced.

Because so much of the scene stretches into the distance, changing light can completely transform the photograph. If you arrive early, stay awhile. Some of the best shots may happen as the light moves rather than at the exact moment of sunrise or sunset.

Use Layers to Show Scale

One challenge at Moonscape is communicating just how enormous the landscape feels.

Try including multiple layers in your composition: the rim in the foreground, textured badlands in the middle distance, and distant mesas or mountains behind them.

Another great option is to include a person in the frame. A small silhouette can immediately communicate the scale of the landscape.

Just be extremely careful near the rim. The BLM warns that sandstone can be unstable and visitors should avoid playing or climbing around cliff edges. ( Bureau of Land Management )

Bring More Than a Wide-Angle Lens

A wide-angle lens is the obvious choice for Moonscape, but a telephoto lens can create completely different photographs.

Zooming in lets you isolate the folds, ridges, shadows, and repeating patterns in the badlands. Those tighter compositions often create some of the most unusual images from the overlook.

Phone photographers can try both standard and telephoto settings instead of relying entirely on the ultra-wide camera.

 Know the Road Before You Go

The BLM recommends a high-clearance vehicle beyond the turn onto BLM Road 0913 on the way to Moonscape Overlook. There are also no facilities at the overlook itself. ( Bureau of Land Management )

Bring water, download your maps ahead of time, and never assume an unpaved road will be in the same condition as it was during your last visit.

Photographing the Bentonite Hills

The Bentonite Hills offer an entirely different photography experience.

Instead of enormous sweeping views, much of their appeal comes from color, curves, lines, and texture.

The hills were formed from bentonite clay created from ancient mud and volcanic ash, and minerals within the clay produce layers of brown, red, gray, and green. Visit Utah notes that these colors are often most visible around sunset. ( Visit Utah )

Look for Patterns Instead of Landmarks

At the Bentonite Hills, you do not necessarily need one giant focal point.

Look for:

Curving bands of color.
Repeating ridgelines.
Contrasting light and shadow.
Small valleys running between hills.
Diagonal lines that lead your eye through the photograph.

This is another location where a telephoto lens can be just as useful as a wide lens. Compressing the hills can make the layers appear even more dramatic.

Sunset Can Bring Out the Color

The Bentonite Hills can look surprisingly subdued during the middle of the day. As the sun gets lower, warmer light can bring out more variation in the landscape.

One important note: many photos of the Bentonite Hills online have been heavily saturated during editing. Visit Utah specifically notes that social-media images often exaggerate the colors. ( Visit Utah )

The real landscape is still beautiful — just often softer and more subtle than some photographs suggest.

 Protect the Landscape While Getting the Shot

The surface of the Bentonite Hills is extremely fragile.

There are no established trails through the hills, and Visit Utah advises visitors to stay on roads and limit walking to firm areas and wash bottoms because footsteps and tire tracks can damage the clay surface. ( Visit Utah )

Sometimes the best photograph is one taken a little farther away with a zoom lens rather than walking onto a fragile slope.

Don't skip Factory Butte

Factory Butte is one of the easiest landmarks around Hanksville to recognize and one of the most versatile to photograph.

The BLM lists photography as one of the popular activities in the Factory Butte Recreation Area. ( Bureau of Land Management )

Try photographing the butte from several distances rather than driving straight toward it. A distant view can show the butte rising dramatically above the desert, while a closer perspective reveals the surrounding badlands and textures.

Factory Butte is also excellent for silhouette photography when the sky is colorful.

Use the Roads as Part of Your Composition

Some of the best Hanksville photographs are not taken at an official viewpoint.

Long desert roads can create strong leading lines toward buttes, mountains, and distant mesas.

Pull over only where it is safe and legal, and never stand in the roadway for a photograph. With the right angle, even a simple dirt road disappearing into the desert can tell the story of exploring the Hanksville area.

Photograph the Small Details Too

It is easy to spend your entire trip chasing huge landscapes.

Remember to photograph the details:

Cracked desert soil.
Colorful layers of rock.
Desert plants.
Textures in sandstone.
Weathered road signs.
Your dusty hiking shoes.
Maps spread across the car.
A cup of coffee before a sunrise drive.

Those small moments often become some of the photographs that best tell the story of a road trip.

Don't forget the night sky

Once the sun goes down, the photography does not have to stop.

The remote landscape surrounding Hanksville can provide excellent opportunities for night-sky photography. If you are planning to photograph stars or the Milky Way, scout your location during daylight first so you know exactly where you will be standing and how you will safely return afterward.

A tripod, manual camera settings, extra batteries, and a headlamp can all be helpful.

Even if you are shooting with a phone, many newer smartphones have dedicated night modes that can capture surprisingly good star photographs when the phone is stabilized.

A few essentials to bring

For photographers heading into the desert around Hanksville, consider packing:

Plenty of drinking water
Offline maps
A tripod
Extra batteries
Extra memory cards
Lens cloths for dust
A wide-angle lens for landscapes
A telephoto lens for details and compressed landscapes
A headlamp for sunrise, sunset, or night photography
Sun protection
Sturdy shoes

Most importantly, tell someone where you are headed if you are exploring remote areas.

Slow down

Perhaps the best photography advice for Hanksville is simply to give yourself time.

The landscape changes constantly with the light.

A place that looks flat and muted at 2:00 in the afternoon may look completely different a few hours later when shadows begin stretching across the hills.

Pull over when something catches your eye. Stay through sunset. Wake up early at least once.

And remember that you do not need professional photography equipment to capture something incredible here. Sometimes the best photo of the trip is simply the moment you looked out across the desert and realized just how strange, enormous, and beautiful this part of Utah really is.

Make Hanksville your photography base camp

With Factory Butte, Moonscape Overlook, the Bentonite Hills, Capitol Reef, Goblin Valley, the Henry Mountains, and miles of incredible desert scenery nearby, Hanksville makes an excellent home base for photography trips.

Staying in town also gives you a place to refuel, recharge batteries, grab food and water, and rest between early mornings and late-night photography sessions.

At Whispering Sands Motel, you are just minutes from some of the area’s most photographed landscapes — making it easy to chase sunrise, return for a break, and head back out again for sunset.

Book your Hanksville stay and start planning your next Southern Utah photography adventure.

Factory Butte & Moonscape: A Local's Guide

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 18:31:41 GMT

A local's guide to two of the most memorable places near Hanksville

Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook are two of the most unforgettable places near Hanksville—and two of the places guests ask us about most often. They are located in the same general area, but they offer completely different views and require a little preparation before you head out.

What is Factory Butte?

What is Moonscape Overlook?

Getting There

They are located in the same general recreation area, but they are two separate destinations.

Factory Butte is the enormous formation you can see rising from the desert. You will the the Factory Butte mesa from the highway. If you wish to get closer, turn onto Factory Butte Road as you would to go to Moonscape Overlook.

Moonscape Overlook is a viewpoint from the edge of Skyline Rim looking down across the badlands.

Many visitors combine the two in one outing because they use the same general access road.

What kind of vehicle do you need?

The answer depends more on the road conditions than the vehicle itself.

In dry weather, many visitors reach the main Factory Butte viewing areas in a regular passenger car. The road to Moonscape Overlook may also be accessible to standard vehicles when it is dry and in good condition, but high clearance is recommended if the road is rutted or uneven. Four-wheel drive can be helpful, but it does not make every road safe. Even well-equipped vehicles can become stuck in wet bentonite mud.

Best time to visit

How much time should you plan?

For Factory Butte alone, plan for approximately one to two hours. That gives you time to enjoy several viewpoints, take pictures and explore without rushing.

For Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook together, allow at least three to four hours. Add more time if you plan to:

Photograph sunrise or sunset
Walk or hike around the area
Explore designated OHV areas
Visit the Bentonite Hills
Stop frequently for pictures
Travel slowly because of road conditions

This area looks compact on a map, but dirt-road travel takes longer than highway driving.

Activities

Help protect the landscape

The desert may look tough, but many of its surfaces are surprisingly fragile.

Please:

Stay on established roads.
Respect all route closures.
Park only on durable surfaces.
Do not drive across undisturbed hills.
Pack out all trash.
Do not carve names into rocks or soil.
Leave plants, rocks and artifacts where you find them.
Avoid wet and muddy roads.
Give wildlife plenty of space.

The best souvenir is a photograph—not a rock, fossil or piece of the landscape.

Safety at Moonscape Overlook

Make Hanksville your home-base

Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook are close enough to Hanksville for a morning, afternoon or evening adventure.

Staying at Whispering Sands Motel gives you a comfortable place to prepare before heading out and relax when you return. Our guests have access to a water-bottle refill station, ice, free Wi-Fi and a grab-and-go breakfast from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Rooms also include a mini-fridge, microwave and coffee maker, making it easier to store drinks, prepare trail snacks and get an early start.

If you are unsure about the weather or your plans, ask our team before you leave. We are happy to help you talk through the route and choose an adventure that fits your time and vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

The Ultimate Hanksville Adventure Guide

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:21:44 GMT

Your Guide to the Best Adventures Near Hanksville

If you are looking for wide-open spaces, otherworldly landscapes and adventures that feel a little off the beaten path, Hanksville is the perfect place to make your home base. We may be a small town, but we are surrounded by some of the most incredible scenery in Utah—and there is much more to explore here than most visitors realize.

Explore Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is one of the most popular day trips from Hanksville, and for good reason. The drive itself is beautiful, and once you arrive, you will find towering cliffs, colorful rock formations, historic buildings, hiking trails and the famous orchards of Fruita.

If this is your first visit, start at the visitor center and then explore the Fruita Historic District. The Scenic Drive is another great option if you want to see a lot without spending the entire day hiking. Families often enjoy the shorter trails and stopping to see the petroglyph panels along Highway 24.

During the busier months, give yourself extra time for parking and traffic. Road conditions and seasonal closures can change, so check the Capitol Reef National Park website before leaving Hanksville.

Wander Through Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley is one of those places that is fun for almost everyone. Instead of only seeing the rock formations from a trail, you can walk right down among thousands of strange sandstone formations known as goblins.

Kids love exploring the valleys, and adults usually have just as much fun. There are designated hiking trails, but many visitors simply wander through the main valley at their own pace.

There is very little shade, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat. Summer afternoons can be extremely hot, making mornings and evenings much more comfortable. You can find current fees, conditions and park information on the Goblin Valley State Park website .

Hike Little Wild Horse Canyon

Little Wild Horse Canyon is near Goblin Valley and is one of the best-known slot canyon hikes in the area. Its narrow passageways and twisting canyon walls make it a memorable adventure without requiring technical climbing equipment.

You can hike into the canyon as far as you feel comfortable and then turn around, or experienced hikers can complete the longer Little Wild Horse and Bell Canyon loop.

Never enter a slot canyon when rain is in the forecast nearby. Flash floods can travel into a canyon from storms miles away, even when the sky directly above you looks clear. When in doubt, choose another adventure for the day.

See Factory Butte

Factory Butte is one of Hanksville’s most recognizable landmarks. The massive flat-topped formation rises above a landscape of gray hills that looks more like another planet than southern Utah.

You can get excellent views from several areas along the main road, so you do not necessarily need a difficult hike or an off-road vehicle to enjoy it. It is especially beautiful around sunrise and sunset, when the changing light brings out all the texture in the surrounding desert.

Some nearby routes cross rough dirt roads. Conditions can change quickly after rain, so do not rely only on the route shown in your phone’s navigation app. If a road looks too muddy, washed out or rough for your vehicle, turn around.

Watch the Sunrise at Moonscape Overlook

Moonscape Overlook has become one of the area’s most photographed destinations. From the rim, you can look across miles of deeply carved gray desert with the Henry Mountains in the distance.

Sunrise is especially beautiful, but getting there normally requires driving on an unpaved road in the dark. Download your route in advance, give yourself plenty of time and make sure the road is appropriate for your vehicle.

There are steep, unprotected drop-offs near the overlook. Please keep children and pets close and remain well back from the edge.

Photograph the Bentonite Hills

The Bentonite Hills are known for their soft bands of gray, blue, purple and reddish earth. The colors can look different depending on the weather, time of day and lighting, which makes this area especially popular with photographers.

The hills are beautiful, but bentonite soil becomes extremely slick and sticky when wet. A road that seems perfectly manageable when dry can quickly become impassable during or after a storm.

Please avoid climbing on delicate formations when the ground is wet, stay on existing roads and trails, and never drive across undisturbed hills just to reach a photo location.

Discover More Slot Canyons

Little Wild Horse may be the best-known slot canyon near Hanksville, but it is certainly not the only one. The North Wash area south of town contains several beautiful canyons, including Leprechaun Canyon.

Some canyon routes are suitable for casual hikers, while others require route-finding skills, climbing experience, ropes or other technical equipment. Make sure you research the exact canyon and route before leaving town. Two routes with similar names can require very different skill levels.

If you are unsure, choose a nontechnical hike or book an excursion with an experienced local guide.

Visit Lake Powell and Bullfrog Marina

If you are ready to trade the desert dust for a day near the water, head south toward Bullfrog and Lake Powell. Depending on water levels and seasonal operations, visitors may be able to enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming or simply relaxing near the shoreline.

Services around the lake can change by season, so check current conditions before making the drive. Bring food, water, sun protection and everything you will need for the day.

The drive between Hanksville and Bullfrog is also part of the experience. The scenery is remote, rugged and beautiful, with plenty of places where you will want to stop for a picture.

Take a Day Trip to Natural Bridges National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument is a longer day trip from Hanksville, but it is worth adding to your itinerary if you have extra time. The park features three enormous natural bridges, scenic overlooks and hiking trails ranging from short walks to more challenging routes.

It is also known for its dark night skies. If you stay after sunset, remember that you still have a long and very dark drive back to Hanksville. Watch carefully for wildlife and make sure you have enough fuel before leaving town.

Enjoy Hanksville’s Night Sky

You do not have to travel far from town to enjoy an incredible night sky. Once you get away from nearby lights, you can often see more stars than you ever thought possible—and on a clear, moonless night, the Milky Way can be spectacular.

Bring chairs or a blanket, a warm layer and a red-light flashlight if you have one. Even during warmer months, desert temperatures can drop quickly after sunset.

Please choose a safe, established place to park. Do not stop in the roadway or drive across undisturbed land to find a viewing spot.

How Many Days Should You Spend in Hanksville?

You can see one or two highlights during a quick overnight stay, but we recommend spending at least two or three full days in the area. There is simply too much to squeeze into one afternoon.

Try not to schedule every minute. Road conditions, weather and unexpected photo stops can slow you down—and sometimes those unplanned stops become the best part of the trip.

What to Bring on Your Hanksville Adventure

Hanksville is remote, and many of the nearby destinations do not have water, restrooms or reliable cell service. Before heading out, we recommend packing:

At least one gallon of water per person, per day
Extra snacks or a packed lunch
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
Sturdy shoes
Layers for changing temperatures
A basic first-aid kit
A paper map or downloaded offline map
A flashlight or headlamp
A portable phone charger
Extra fuel for longer backcountry trips
A tire repair kit and basic emergency supplies

Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Before entering a slot canyon or traveling on an unpaved road, check the weather and current road conditions.

Make Hanksville Your Home Base

One of the best things about staying in Hanksville is that you can head in a different direction each morning and see something completely new. You can spend one day among the red cliffs of Capitol Reef, the next walking between goblins and another watching the sunrise over a landscape that looks like the moon.

After a full day of exploring, come back to Whispering Sands Motel for a clean, comfortable place to rest and recharge. Our team is happy to help you talk through your plans, share local tips and point you toward adventures that fit your available time and vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Upcoming Event: S'mores, Stars & Scares

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:42:31 GMT

Something spooky is coming to Hanksville!

Join us October 30–31, 2026, for S’mores, Stars & Scares, a two-day Halloween and dark-sky celebration filled with trick-or-treating, vendors, family activities, s’mores, astronomy and some of the most spectacular night skies in Utah.

What is S'mores, Stars & Scares?

S’mores, Stars & Scares is a family-friendly Halloween weekend combining small-town fun with the incredible dark skies surrounding Hanksville.

While festive fun like trick or treating, a Halloween carnival, vendors.costumes. & other activities will surely make S’mores, Stars & Scares memorable, the real “star” of the show will be the incredible night sky views.

Whether you are coming with young children, traveling through southern Utah or looking for a unique Halloween getaway, this weekend will offer plenty of ways to participate.

Costumes are encouraged, and visitors are welcome to join as many—or as few—activities as they would like.

ITINERARY

Friday, October 30: Stars, Space & Halloween Fun

Friday’s activities will introduce visitors to Hanksville, its businesses and the incredible landscape and night sky that make this area so special.

Saturday, October 31: Halloween in Hanksville

Saturday will bring a full day of vendors, costumes, trick-or-treating and community Halloween activities before we return to the stars that evening.

Things to Do Between Event Activities

S’mores, Stars & Scares is a great reason to make an entire weekend out of your visit to Hanksville.

During the day, consider exploring:

Factory Butte
Moonscape Overlook
The Bentonite Hills
Goblin Valley State Park
Little Wild Horse Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
Hog Springs
Leprechaun Canyon

October generally offers more comfortable daytime temperatures than summer, but always check the weather before hiking or traveling on a dirt road.

Never enter a slot canyon when rain is possible, and do not drive on bentonite roads when they are wet.

If you only have a few free hours, Factory Butte and the surrounding badlands make a beautiful half-day adventure. Goblin Valley and Capitol Reef are better treated as longer outings.

Is S’mores, Stars & Scares Free?

The main S’mores, Stars & Scares event is free to attend.

Event registration will be used as an RSVP to help organizers estimate attendance, prepare supplies and communicate important updates. Registering does not mean you are purchasing an admission ticket.

Some individual activities may have their own costs. These could include:

Food and merchandise from vendors
PTA carnival tickets
Meals and business specials
Certain tours or reservation-based activities

Any separate fees or reservation requirements will be clearly listed in the final event schedule.

Presented by the Hanksville Community

S’mores, Stars & Scares is being organized with support from the Hanksville Business Coalition and participating community partners.

Local businesses can get involved by:

Joining the business trick-or-treat trail
Hosting an activity
Offering a themed special
Creating a photo location
Becoming a vendor
Donating supplies
Sponsoring the event
Helping with a booth
Sharing event information

The goal is to create a celebration that brings visitors and residents together while supporting businesses throughout Hanksville.

Frequently Asked Questions

Valentine’s Day Getaway Package

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:57:00 GMT

February 13–15, 2026 – Treat your sweetheart to a romantic weekend package with dinner at Duke’s, chocolates, sparkling cider, and breakfast in bed!

S’mores & Stars Weekend

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:57:00 GMT

Join us January 16–19, 2026, for MLK Weekend filled with campfire s’mores, hot cocoa, and guided stargazing in Hanksville’s incredible dark skies!

New Year’s Eve Celebration (Scavenger Hunt + Party)

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:57:00 GMT

Celebrate December 31, 2025–January 1, 2026 with a fun scavenger hunt around town and a family-friendly NYE party featuring movies, snacks, and an early countdown!