Nestled in Utah's remote desert, Hanksville serves as a fascinating gateway to otherworldly landscapes and rugged outdoor adventures.
Hanksville sits about an hour's drive from any other town in Capitol Reef Country. This small town of 355 people, rich in folklore and history, has built its identity on tourism, serving as a central basecamp for exploring Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley State Park, the San Rafael Swell, and the outlaw hideout of Robber's Roost. The town was officially incorporated in 1999.
Casual, Deli
Bull Mountain Market Pizza & Deli
Cafe, Drinks
Mowgli's Cafe
Casual, Breakfast
Duke’s Slickrock Grill
Casual, Burgers
Stan’s Burger Shak
Casual, Mexican
Outlaw’s Roost
Hanksville, Utah 84775
Wayne County
Spring & Fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for hiking and exploring.
Mars on Earth: The Mars Desert Research Station
Seven miles from Hanksville, the Mars Desert Research Station tests how crews and equipment might one day operate on the Red Planet, using Hanksville's eerily Mars-like terrain as a stand-in. Crew rotations and simulation tests typically run during winter months. While the station isn't generally open to drop-in visitors, its presence is part of what makes the desert around Hanksville feel like nowhere else on Earth. The landscape has also drawn film crews and photographers chasing the same otherworldly look.
Just outside Hanksville rises Factory Butte, a stark, banded sandstone formation that looks more like a movie set than a Utah roadside view. It's one of the most photographed landmarks in the region and a favorite stop for golden-hour photography, OHV riders, and anyone road-tripping through on Highway 24. See Factory Butte for trail and access details.
History of Hanksville Utah
Hanksville was first settled in 1882 and called "Grave's Valley" after a member of the Powell expeditions. The settlement, at an elevation of 4,300 feet, was renamed Hanksville in 1885 for Mormon pioneer leader Ebenezer Hanks. Agriculture and mining drove the early economy, though outlaws like Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch were known to pass through for supplies while hiding out in the nearby canyons. Hanksville also supplied uranium prospectors through the 1940s and '50s. Those booms have long since ended, but the area remains rich in dinosaur fossils, frequently uncovered at the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry. The BLM also keeps offices in Hanksville. Hanksville isn't just a dot on the map, it's the desert outpost that gets you to Goblin Valley's hoodoos, Mars-like badlands, and some of the best dinosaur fossil country in Utah. Here's our latest coverage of the routes, history, and landscapes that make this remote stretch of Wayne County worth the drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hanksville sits roughly 20 miles from Goblin Valley State Park, making it one of the closest basecamp towns to the park's hoodoo formations.
Hanksville is located about 18 miles east of Capitol Reef National Park, making it one of the closest towns to the park and a convenient basecamp for exploring the Waterpocket Fold, scenic drives, and hiking trails.
Located seven miles from Hanksville, the Mars Desert Research Station is a simulation site where crews test equipment and procedures for future Mars missions, using the area's Mars-like desert terrain.
The nearby Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry is an active fossil site where dinosaur remains are regularly uncovered, drawing paleontologists and curious travelers alike.
Hanksville has a population of about 355 people, making it one of the smallest and most remote towns in Capitol Reef Country.
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for exploring, with summer highs around 88°F and winter lows near 30°F.
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