The Ultimate Hanksville Adventure Guide

Your Guide to the Best Adventures Near Hanksville

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