Hanksville UtahATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hanksville, Utah.
1. Moonscape Overlook
OTHERWORLDLY DESERT VIEWS
Moonscape Overlook is one of the top attractions near Hanksville, offering surreal lunar-like landscapes that make visitors feel like they've left planet Earth. The panoramic views showcase the unique erosion patterns and badlands that characterize this remote region of southern Utah. This viewpoint is particularly stunning during golden hour when the sun casts dramatic shadows across the alien terrain.
2. Factory Butte
MONOLITHIC DESERT LANDMARK
Factory Butte is a monolithic sandstone formation that rises dramatically from the desert landscape outside Hanksville. This weathered peak and its surrounding badlands showcase centuries of unrelenting erosion, creating one of the most photogenic landscapes in southern Utah. The butte is especially captivating during early morning or late evening when sunlight illuminates its thousand striations, bringing the entire scene to life.
3. Goblin Valley State Park
WHIMSICAL ROCK FORMATIONS
Goblin Valley State Park features thousands of hoodoos, mushroom-shaped rock formations often called 'goblins,' creating a fantastical landscape near Hanksville. Visitors can freely wander among these unique geological features, making it a favorite destination for families and photographers alike. The park's otherworldly terrain has even served as a filming location for science fiction movies, enhancing its reputation as one of Utah's most distinctive natural attractions.
4. Mars Desert Research Station
SIMULATED MARS BASE
The Mars Desert Research Station near Hanksville is a facility where scientists simulate living conditions on Mars due to the area's remarkable similarity to the red planet. This research outpost offers a fascinating glimpse into how humans might one day live and work on Mars through its distinctive cylindrical habitat and observatory. Though primarily a working research station, visitors can view the facility from designated areas and learn about ongoing Mars simulation projects.
5. Hollow Mountain
STORE INSIDE A MOUNTAIN
Hollow Mountain is a unique convenience store and gas station in Hanksville that's actually carved into a sandstone mountain. This quirky roadside attraction combines practical services with the novelty of shopping inside rock walls that have been hollowed out to create the store space. Visitors appreciate both the convenient supplies and the unusual experience of refueling and shopping inside a mountain.
6. Leprechaun Canyon
STUNNING SLOT CANYON
Leprechaun Canyon is a mesmerizing slot canyon near Hanksville featuring narrow, winding passages with stunning red rock walls. The canyon offers varying levels of difficulty, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced canyoneers seeking adventure. Sunlight filtering through the narrow openings creates dramatic light beams and color plays on the smooth, sculpted sandstone walls.
7. Little Egypt
UNIQUE GEOLOGICAL AREA
Little Egypt is a distinctive geological area near Hanksville featuring unusual hoodoo formations that resemble ancient Egyptian structures. The weathered sandstone features create an atmosphere reminiscent of walking through ruins, complete with formations that look like sphinxes and temples. This lesser-known attraction offers excellent photography opportunities without the crowds found at more popular Utah destinations.
8. Henry Mountains
LAST MAPPED MOUNTAINS
The Henry Mountains near Hanksville were the last mountain range to be mapped in the continental United States, adding to their mystique and remote character. These isolated peaks rise dramatically from the desert plateau, offering hiking, wildlife viewing, and the chance to spot the only free-roaming, genetically pure bison herd in America. The mountains provide a cool retreat from the desert heat with panoramic views of the surrounding colorful landscapes.
9. Temple of the Sun & Moon
CATHEDRAL VALLEY ICONS
The Temples of the Sun and Moon are distinctive sandstone monoliths located in Cathedral Valley near Hanksville. These towering formations stand as natural monuments in an otherwise sparse landscape, creating some of the most photographed scenes in the region. Visitors can drive relatively close to both formations, allowing for easy access and up-close appreciation of these geological wonders.
10. Duke's Slickrock Grill
LOCAL FLAVORS AND HISTORY
Duke's Slickrock Grill serves as one of Hanksville's primary dining establishments, offering hearty meals to travelers exploring the surrounding landscapes. The restaurant features southwestern cuisine and American classics in a casual setting decorated with local memorabilia and mining artifacts. After a day of desert exploration, visitors appreciate the generous portions and home-style cooking that have made Duke's a staple for both locals and tourists.
11. Horseshoe Canyon
ANCIENT ROCK ART
Horseshoe Canyon, a detached unit of Canyonlands National Park accessible from near Hanksville, houses some of the most significant rock art panels in North America. The Great Gallery features remarkable life-sized figures painted by ancient peoples thousands of years ago, creating an outdoor museum of prehistoric art. The moderately challenging hike through the canyon rewards visitors with both natural beauty and these extraordinary cultural treasures.
12. The Wolverton Mill
HISTORIC PIONEER STRUCTURE
The Wolverton Mill stands as a historic reminder of pioneer ingenuity near Hanksville, built by early settler Clark Wolverton in the late 1800s. This preserved structure once served the local community by processing grain into flour, showcasing the self-sufficient nature of Utah's early settlements. Today, visitors can explore this piece of western history and appreciate the craftsmanship that allowed it to survive the harsh desert conditions for over a century.
13. Stan's Burger Shack
BELOVED ROADSIDE EATERY
Stan's Burger Shack is a cherished local eatery in Hanksville known for serving satisfying burgers and shakes to hungry adventurers. The no-frills establishment has built its reputation on quality ingredients and quick service, making it a popular refueling spot for travelers exploring Utah's backcountry. Its convenient location and reasonable prices have made it a staple recommendation among regular visitors to the area.
14. Angel Point
SPECTACULAR DESERT VIEWPOINT
Angel Point offers one of the most spectacular panoramic viewpoints in the Hanksville area, overlooking vast expanses of colorful badlands and distant mesas. Visitors can take in sweeping vistas that showcase the geological diversity of southern Utah, from striped hills to flat-topped buttes stretching to the horizon. The relatively accessible viewpoint provides incredible photography opportunities throughout the day, though sunset brings particularly dramatic lighting across the landscape.
15. Blarney Canyon
HIDDEN SLOT ADVENTURE
Blarney Canyon is a lesser-known slot canyon near Hanksville that offers adventurous explorers a chance to experience Utah's famous narrow passages without the crowds. The canyon features twisting corridors with smooth, sculpted walls that showcase millions of years of water's patient artistry on sandstone. Its relative obscurity makes it an excellent choice for those seeking solitude while experiencing the unique geological wonders of Utah's canyon country.