Hanksville is a tiny, remote desert town in southeastern Utah that’s mostly known as a gateway to some of the most otherworldly landscapes in the U.S. If you’re road-tripping through southern Utah, it’s a great base or stopover. There are very few places to stay and only a few places to eat. We also stayed in Torrey on the other side of Capitol Reef National Park, which was a nicer and larger town.
Some of the places we visited while here: Factory Butte, Mars Desert Research Station, Bentonite Hills. Hanksville is also close to Goblin Valley State Park & Little Wild Horse Canyon, both of those have a separate entry on this site.
The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) is one of the most fascinating “fake Mars” environments on Earth. Located in the desert near Hanksville, chosen because the terrain looks and feels similar to Mars. A simulated Mars habitat build in the early 2000’s and run by the Mars Society.
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🌈 Bentonite Hills (Utah)
The Bentonite Hills are one of the most surreal landscapes in southern Utah—rolling, striped mounds that look more like a painting than real terrain.
- Just west of Hanksville
- Right outside Capitol Reef National Park (east side)
- Along the scenic Notom–Bullfrog Road
Factory Butte is one of the most striking desert formations in southern Utah—a massive, flat-topped butte rising out of a barren, gray badlands landscape that feels almost lunar.
- About 15 minutes west of Hanksville
- Along Highway 24
- Near the Bentonite Hills and the road to Moonscape Overlook