Where are Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte?
Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook are located in southern Utah, specifically between the towns of Caineville and Hanksville and very close to Capitol Reef National Park. Given its proximity to the park, it’s a stop along a route through southern Utah and its national parks.
Hanksville is the closest town with amenities to these fabulous landscapes, as it offers lodging, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Although it’s a fairly small town, there are a couple of places worth visiting. One of them is Carl’s Critter Garden, the garden of a former roadside motel that has been transformed into an open-air art gallery. There you’ll find intriguing creations made from discarded materials such as metal, plastic, glass, and fabric.
Then there's Hollow Mountain, a cave-style gas station where the store is located inside a natural cave.
In this list, we've included the distances from Factory Butte to the main towns and attractions in the area:
- Caineville: 14 miles 22 km (20 min)
- Capitol Reef National Park: 32 miles or 52 km (45 min)
- Hanksville: 17 miles or 27 km (30 min)
- Goblin Valley State Park: 48 miles or 78 km (1h)
- Escalante: 106 miles or 170 km (2:25 h)
- Moab (Arches and Canyonlands National Parks): 125 miles or 201 km (2 hours)
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Factory Butte
Factory Butte is a sandstone mountain that rises nearly 1,600 feet (500 m) above the surrounding area. What makes it so spectacular is its distinctive shape—which might remind you of a cathedral or a giant factory—shaped by millions of years of erosion, and its characteristic grayish and orange hues. The complete absence of trees allows you to appreciate its features in great detail.
Both Factory Butte and its surroundings consist of what is known as badlands—barren lands characterized by arid conditions and sparse vegetation, which leaves them exposed to severe erosion by water and wind. This powerful erosion creates very unique landscapes in this type of terrain, such as deep canyons, ravines, and fairy chimneys—similar to those found in other parts of the region, such as Escalante, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.
Specifically, the type of rock that makes up Factory Butte is Mancos Shale, and it is this rock that gives it its distinctive dark gray color.
📷 The best spots to photograph Factory Butte are along the trail (North Factory Butte Road) leading off Highway 24, the main overlook —which we explain how to get to in the How to Get to Factory Butte section—and the Moonscape Overlook, which offers a more panoramic view.
A typical visit to Factory Butte takes about 1 hour, depending on how many photos you want to take and how long you spend at the overlook.
Moonscape Overlook
Moonscape Overlook is an incredible viewpoint located on the Skyline Rim. From here, you can see a grayish landscape formed by the same type of badlands found at Factory Butte—the Mancos Shale. The views stretching for several kilometers in every direction are breathtaking, as the shapes and colors of the cliff—eroded by water and wind over millions of years—will transport you right to the moon itself. 🌔
If you're visiting with children, be careful, as the lookout is at a considerable height and any fall could be fatal. We recommend that you walk along the edge of the cliff, as the views change depending on where you are, and that you sit quietly to take them in— there may not be another place like this on Earth. 😉
When you've had your fill of all this beauty, turn around and take in the view of Factory Butte from a distance—its prominence makes it stand out from the surrounding landscape, and the photos taken from here, with their striking color contrast, are absolutely stunning.
We recommend that you take your time enjoying this viewpoint; you'll need between 1 and 2 hours to do so. All in all, a half-day is the ideal amount of time to visit both places.
How do I get to Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte?
Both Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook are located within an area managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management), a U.S. government agency responsible for managing public lands that do not have special protection status, such as national parks, national forests, or national monuments.
If you're heading to Factory Butte or Moonscape Overlook from Capitol Reef or Torrey, drive east on State Route 24, pass through the tiny town of Caineville, and after about 7 miles (12 km), you'll find a turnoff on the left onto an unpaved road. This is North Factory Butte Road, also known as Coal Mine Road. If you’re coming from Escalante, first drive north on Scenic Route 12 to Torrey, and from there, follow the directions above.
If, on the other hand, you're coming from Hanksville or Goblin Valley State Park, you should drive west on Highway 24 for about 11 miles (17 km) until you reach the same unpaved road, North Factory Butte Road. In this case, the turnoff will be on your right.
If you're coming directly from Moab, the fastest route is to take Highway 191 north, then continue on Interstate 70 west, and take State Route 24 to Hanksville, where you should follow the directions above.
How do I get to Factory Butte?
At the turnoff from Highway 24, you’ll see Factory Butte in the distance. To reach the overlook, simply drive about 6 miles (10 km) along the unpaved North Factory Butte Road. Although it’s a dirt road, if the ground is dry, you shouldn’t have any major trouble getting there—we did it in a large, front-wheel-drive camper van, so any car that isn’t too low to the ground should be able to make it. We recommend that you drive carefully and slowly, as the road isn’t maintained.
⚠️ On rainy days or if it has rained recently, you may not be able to drive on this trail unless you have a high-clearance 4x4, as the ground can turn into a muddy mess. If that’s the case, turn around—or you risk getting stuck.
As you get closer, you'll see a high point quite close to the mountain itself; this is the main lookout point, and you'll find it marked on the map. To get there, you'll need to take a very short detour to the left up a somewhat steep slope.
⌛ It will take you between 20 and 30 minutes to reach the lookout point, depending on the type of car you have and your driving skills.
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How do I get to Moonscape Overlook?
Next to the turnoff for Factory Butte, you’ll see another turnoff to the right that takes you along a trail to Moonscape Overlook. To reach this overlook, you have two options: the trail we just mentioned, or continue 0.6 miles (1 km) further north on North Factory Butte Road. There’s another turnoff on the right that takes you along a trail parallel to the previous one, called Skyline Road. Although you can reach the overlook via either trail, we found the second one to be better. We’ve also marked it on the map.
The trails are flat, but there are potholes you’ll need to navigate around, so you should drive carefully and slowly, as it’s easy to damage the undercarriage. We had no trouble getting there, but if it has rained recently, the road can turn into an impassable muddy mess without a high-clearance 4x4. Both options require driving about 2.5 miles or 4 km (10 minutes) one way.
Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte Map
On the map below, we've marked all the scenic overlooks, roads, accommodations, and activities so you can get a sense of the area.
When is the best time to visit Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte?
The best times to visit Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte are spring and fall, when temperatures are most pleasant. The best months are April, May, September, and October. Plus, if you visit in the spring, the scenery can be even more spectacular, as wildflowers and cacti bloom in the middle of the desert for a few days.
❄️ In winter, from November through February, temperatures can be very low, dropping as low as 7°F (-14°C) at night and not exceeding 41°F (5°C) during the day. There is also a chance of snowfall, which can make unpaved roads impassable.
☀️ You can visit the area during the summer, although temperatures from June through early September can be very high, even reaching 104°F (40°C). In addition, in August and early September, there is a chance of afternoon showers, which can leave the trails muddy.
🕛 The best time to visit Moonscape Overlook is from mid-morning until noon, when the sun is already starting to get a little higher in the sky; this way, you’ll be able to see the cliff’s shapes more clearly. In the afternoon, the sun begins to set behind you, and the shadows cast by the cliff will obscure your view.
💡 We recommend visiting Factory Butte before noon, when the sunlight hits the southeast side of the mountain—where the access road runs—head-on. That way, you’ll be able to see all its details more clearly. So it’s best to visit Moonscape Overlook first and then Factory Butte.
Are Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte worth visiting?
In our opinion, Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte are two spectacular and little-known sites in southern Utah. Plus, you can visit them in half a day, combining the trip with a visit to the Bentonite Hills or Long Dong Spire, or as a stop along a route through Utah’s national parks, between Arches or Canyonlands and Capitol Reef.
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What to See Around Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte
This part of southern Utah is spectacular and full of unique places. Here’s a brief list of the closest ones—otherwise, it would be way too long.
Capitol Reef National Park
This small but fabulous park in southern Utah combines nature, unique rock formations, hiking, and history all in one place. ➡️ Find all the information you need about visiting it in our guide to Capitol Reef National Park.
Long Dong Spire
A short hike through a landscape straight out of Mars will take you to a place so unbelievable it looks like a scene from Star Wars. ➡️ In our exclusive post on how to visit Long Dong Spire (coming soon), you’ll find all the information you need to plan your visit.
Bentonite Hills
These rock formations, with their striking shades of orange, blue, and ochre, will leave you in awe. ➡️ Find out all about them in our exclusive article on how to visit the Bentonite Hills (coming soon).
Goblin Valley State Park
This state park, filled with rock formations in the most unlikely shapes, isn't as famous as the national parks in southern Utah, but it's well worth a visit. You can find all the information you need in our exclusive post on how to visit Goblin Valley State Park (coming soon).
Accomodations near Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook?
Part of the magic of the place is that it's a remote area in southern Utah, so the surrounding towns are small and have few lodging options.
To visit Moonscape Overlook, Factory Butte, and the surrounding area, we would stay in the town of Hanksville, since it’s the largest in the area. Another option, although it’s a tiny town, is Caineville. If you’re combining this visit with Capitol Reef and continuing your trip to western Utah, we’d recommend spending 1 or 2 nights in Hanksville and then staying in Torrey.
Tips for Visiting Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte
Here are some tips that will come in handy when visiting Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte:
- 💧 Remember to bring water—it's a remote area with no amenities
- 📡 Make sure to download the maps to your cell phone, since you might not have service
- 🗺️ Don't rely solely on Google Maps—download an OpenStreetMap-based app like OrganicMaps; it's much better for navigating remote areas or hiking.
- 🌧️ It is not recommended to take this route if it has rained recently, as the trails will be muddy
- ⛽ It's not a good idea to drive on these kinds of roads with low fuel; fill up your tank in Hanksville first
- 🌑 It's better to drive during the day, since visibility is much lower at night and it's easier to get into an accident
- 🛣️ Don't drive off the marked roads—it's illegal, and you'll also damage the natural environment
- 🏜️ At Moonscape Overlook, don't get too close to the edge of the cliff—it can be dangerous.
- 🚮 Keep the area clean and don't leave trash behind—it's everyone's responsibility
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Frequently Asked Questions About Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook
Where are Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook?
Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte are located in southern Utah, in a remote area of desert landscapes and badlands. Both sites are very close to each other and can be visited during the same trip.
Can you visit Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook on the same day?
Yes. In fact, it's best to visit both places on the same trip, since they're very close to each other and let you enjoy very different landscapes on a single outing.
How long does it take to visit Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook?
Three to four hours are enough to visit both places at a leisurely pace.
Do you need a 4x4 to get to Factory Butte?
You can complete the entire route in a standard vehicle as long as you drive carefully; very low-slung vehicles may have trouble. If it has rained or snowed recently, the trail may be impassable due to mud, in which case it is best not to attempt the route.
Can you visit Factory Butte after it rains?
It is not recommended, since the trails can turn into veritable quagmires that are impassable for a regular car. Even the best 4x4s can have trouble navigating them without the necessary experience and may end up damaging the trails.
Is there an admission fee to visit Factory Butte and Moonscape Overlook?
No, admission is free.
We hope this post about Moonscape Overlook and Factory Butte will help you plan your next adventure in southern Utah.
