Want to explore an otherworldly landscape in southern Utah that is less crowded than the National Parks? Look no further than Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook!
The Factory Butte Recreation Area is a BLM-owned OHV site named after the flat-topped mountain dubbed Factory Butte. It’s located in Hanksville, Utah, near Capitol Reef National Park.
This area looks nothing like the rest of Utah. It’s characterized by pale yellow, purple, and grey clay, unlike the famous red and orange colors you’ll see in other parts of Utah. I haven’t been to the moon, but this area is exacly how I imagine the moon to look. The flat topped buttes with steep slopes and rippled badlands are so unique!
My husband and I first visited Factory Butte at sunset while visiting Capitol Reef National Park in May of 2021 and we were blown away by how remote and different it was compared to everything else we saw in Utah.
We actually missed seeing the Moonscape Overlook on that trip, so we knew we had to come back. In October of 2024, we added an extra day to our Moab trip specifically to return to this area and finally see the Moonscape Overlook!
So how do you get to Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook? Where is it located? Do you need a 4WD vehicle to get there? I’ll dig into all of these questions and more in this post!
Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook Overview
Factory Butte is a 6300-foot, flat-topped plateau of sandstone that stands alone in southern Utah near Capitol Reef National Park. It’s located in the rugged San Rafael Swell region of Utah.
You can see Factory Butte from the road (just look to the left if you’re heading east from Capitol Reef), but you will need to drive on a dirt road to see the otherworldly Moonscape Overlook.
The Moonscape Overlook is located 3 miles from Factory Butte and overlooks Utah’s Blue Valley and (you guessed it!) looks like the surface of the moon. The Caineville Mesa and Henry Mountains lie to the south and add some more scenic beauty to the surrounding area.
Related: 15 Best Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park
The Mars Desert Research Station is also located in this area, because the landscape and soil are so similar to the moon. Unfortunately, you can’t visit the Mars Desert Research Station, as it is not open to the public.
The Bureau of Land Management owns this land and has designated the Factory Butte area as a 2600-acre OHV recreation area. OHV jumping and motorcycle riding are popular activities, but you can also drive your car here and explore on foot. If you’re not into off-roading, there isn’t much to do here besides photograph the gorgeous landscape. There aren’t any established hiking trails or amenities to explore.
Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook will be right on your way if you’re road-tripping between Moab and Capitol Reef National Park, so it’s definitely worth stopping. You will literally feel like you’re on the moon!
The map below gives you a high-level idea of where Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook are located in relation to Capitol Reef and Hanksville.
The Best Time to Visit Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook
The best time to visit Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook is in the spring or fall. This area of Utah sits at about 5000 feet of elevation, so it does get cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
Shoulder season will have the best weather and lower crowds than the summer. Both of our trips here in May and October had chilly mornings and evenings, but it got hot during the afternoon.
Factory Butte is gorgeous to photograph at sunrise or sunset. The Moonscape Overlook is best to photograph at sunset. Since you’re looking east at the Moonscape Overlook, sunrise is a difficult time to take photos since you’ll be looking directly into the sun (we learned this the hard way).
Related: How to Hike to the Long Dong Silver Spire in Hanksville, Utah
Vehicle Requirements
You don’t need a 4WD vehicle to get to Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook. However, the road here is a dirt road and is quite rough and bumpy, so I would make sure you have an SUV or vehicle with high ground clearance.
We found that the road to the Moonscape Overlook was rougher than the road to Factory Butte, so keep that in mind. Any high-clearance vehicle shouldn’t have any problems.
The first time we did this drive, we were in a 2WD F-150 and were totally fine. The drive was more comfortable the second time in a Jeep Grand Cherokee though.
GPS Coordinates
I will describe how to get to Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook in the next section, but here are the GPS coordinates in case you find that easier to navigate:
- Factory Butte: 38.4369° N, 110.9135° W
- Moonscape Overlook: 38.4521° N, -110.8378° W
How to Get Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook
To get to Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook, turn onto Factory Butte Road off of Highway 24 between Capitol Reef National Park and Hanksville.
Travel for about 5.5 miles along this road until you get to the Coal Mine Road junction. This is the closest you can get to Factory Butte without doing some serious off-roading. We even saw some cows out here the second time we visited!
If you’re comfortable, you can drive right up to Factory Butte but there isn’t an official trail. The terrain has deep ruts and there can be standing water and loose sand in places. You’ll likely see some people in Broncos and Jeep Wranglers driving around this area.
To get to the Moonscape Overlook, turn right onto Coal Mine road and follow it for 3 miles until it turns into Moon Overlook Road and dead-ends at the scenic viewpoint. You can walk right up to the edge and marvel at the otherworldly scenery!
We saw quite a few people at the Moonscape Overlook just after sunrise when we visited, so the word must be spreading about this incredible place.
Since it’s on BLM land, there were lots of people camping right at the viewpoint. What an experience that would be!
Helpful Tips for Visiting Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook
You likely won’t have cell signal, so download your map ahead of time. The roads to each viewpoint are pretty easy to follow though, once you turn off at the correct place.
Do not visit this area if rain is in the forecast. The ground here is made of bentonite clay which gets extremely sticky when wet. These roads will become impassable when it rains, even if you have 4WD.
Factory Butte Road and the surrounding roads are very rough. You’ll want a high-clearance vehicle, but 4WD isn’t necessary if the roads are dry. If you’d feel more comfortable in a 4×4 or don’t have a suitable car, Capitol Reef Jeep Rentals has Jeep Wranglers you can rent for a day.
There are no restrooms, water, or amenities of any kind out here. Bring plenty of water, food, and emergency supplies in case you get stranded!
The weather at Factory Butte can change quickly. It was very windy and dusty the first time we visited, but we had perfect weather the second time. Dress in layers if you’re visiting in shoulder season!
Where to Stay Near Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook
Hanksville is the best place to stay near Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook. There are some fun, lesser-known places to visit near Hanksville (like the Long Dong Silver Spire hike!), so I definitely recommend staying a night or two here if you can make it work with your trip.
Your options in Hanksville are pretty limited. We stayed at the Whispering Sands Motel for one night and had no issues. There is one gas station and a small handful of restaurants, and that’s about it. Make sure to eat at Outlaw’s Roost for fresh, Mexican food and great service with a fun atmosphere!
If you’re looking for more amenities, staying in Torrey, Utah is a reasonable option as well. It is located an hour west of Hanksville on the other side of Capitol Reef National Park, though. There are plenty of hotels, a general store, restaurants, and gift shops.
Here are some good lodging options in Torrey:
- Capitol Reef Resort: You can stay in a luxury room, a glamping teepee, or a wagon with an amazing view of the red rock cliffs. There is also a restaurant, pool, and hot tub.
- Red Sands Hotel & Spa: We stayed here on our second visit to Capitol Reef and it was great. There is an indoor pool, hot tub, restaurant, and a rock garden to explore.
- Broken Spur Inn: Simple, affordable accommodations 5 minutes from the park. They also have wagons you can stay in.
Camping Near Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook
There are no developed campsites in Factory Butte Recreation Area, but you can camp in “already disturbed” areas for free since it is on BLM land. There is no reservation system, amenities, or established campsites. You will need to pack in and pack out everything you need for the night (toilet paper, food, water, etc). There are lots of flat places to park an RV or trailer overnight.
We saw lots of people camping at the Moonscape Overlook and in the areas surrounding Factory Butte. Most people were in an RV, trailer, or sleeping in their cars. I’m not sure how comfortable tent camping would be here since the ground is so hard.
Do you plan to adventure out to Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook on your trip to Utah? Let me know in the comments below!
-Megan
Other Things to Do Nearby
GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK: Check out this Utah State Park filled with sandstone hoodoos and other unique rock formations. It’s located 30 minutes north of Hanksville.
LONG DONG SILVER SPIRE HIKE: Located just a few miles west of Hanksville, this hidden hike takes you to an incredible spire rock formation that makes for excellent photos. This post shows you how to hike to the Long Dong Silver Spire.
LITTLE WILD HORSE CANYON: Explore this neat slot canyon located in the same area as Goblin Valley State Park. You can hike an entire 8-mile loop, or just as far as you’d like. This area is still on our list of places to visit in the San Rafael Swell area, but it looks amazing.
CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK: Visit Utah’s most underrated National Park located just 45 minutes west of Hanksville. Check out my 1-4 day Capitol Reef itinerary, the top things to do in Capitol Reef, and the best hikes in Capitol Reef.
MOAB, UTAH: Home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab is a great adventure town to base yourself in while exploring. Check out the 16 best things to do in Arches National Park and the 15 top things to do in Canyonlands Island in the Sky District.
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