Moonscape Overlook, Utah: Complete Guide

Updated February 2026, Moonscape Overlook, Utah: Complete Guide was originally published in August 2023.

If you’re looking for one of the most surreal landscapes in Utah, put Moonscape Overlook on your list. This remote viewpoint near Hanksville overlooks the gray badlands of Blue Valley, creating a landscape that looks remarkably like the surface of the moon.

Moonscape Overlook, also known as Skyline View, sits along the Skyline Rim near Factory Butte in south-central Utah. It’s a particularly good stop for photographers, with the landscape changing dramatically around sunrise and sunset as the light hits the Mancos Shale below.

The best part? You don’t need to hike for miles to get here. Moonscape Overlook is reached by dirt roads off Utah Highway 24, about 10 miles west of Hanksville. The catch is that this is remote BLM land with no facilities at the overlook, and road conditions can change quickly after rain or snow.

I first came to Moonscape Overlook after a very persuasive recommendation from another photographer I met while shooting the nearby Bentonite Hills. I was supposed to be heading home that evening. Instead, I changed my plans, camped on the rim and stayed for sunset and sunrise.

Honestly, I’m glad I did.

The landscape looks impressive in the middle of the day, but when the first blue light hits the badlands below, the whole valley takes on an almost extraterrestrial appearance. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Moonscape Overlook in Utah, including how to get there, whether you need 4WD, where to camp, the best time to visit, and what to know before driving out.

How I Discovered Moonscape Overlook

Moonscape Overlook wasn’t even on my original itinerary.

I was actually obsessed with getting to the nearby Bentonite Hills for sunrise. I’d left Salt Lake City at 2 am to make it there for blue hour, on my drive down to Vegas, which is exactly as miserable as it sounds when you’re not a morning person.

Later that morning, while I was flying my drone around the Bentonite Hills, I met two guys from St. George. One of them, Tom, started scrolling through photos on his phone and told me I absolutely had to see sunrise at Moonscape Overlook.

Naturally, my carefully planned drive home went straight out the window.

I spent the rest of the day exploring Highway 24, then drove out to Moonscape Overlook, camped on the rim and stayed for sunset and sunrise.

Tom, wherever you are, thanks for ruining my plans.

Need Travel Insurance and Evacuation Services?

Start shopping for travel insurance plans over at IATI Insurance. Readers of the Adventures of Nicole get a 5% discount off your plan.

The Adventures of Nicole partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading medical evacuation and security advisory services. To travel with peace of mind, explore their evacuation coverage.

Moonscape Overlook at a Glance

Location	Near Hanksville, Utah
Also known as	Skyline View / Skyline Rim
Nearest town	Hanksville
Road access	Dirt roads from UT-24
Fee	Free
Best time	Sunrise and sunset
Camping	Dispersed camping on BLM land where permitted
Facilities	None at the overlook
GPS	38.4522, -110.8381
Best vehicle	High-clearance vehicle recommended
Main attraction	Views over Blue Valley and the Mancos Shale badlands

What Is Moonscape Overlook?

Moonscape Overlook, also known as Skyline View, is a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Blue Valley near Factory Butte in Wayne County, Utah.

The landscape below is dominated by Mancos Shale, a soft sedimentary rock that forms the gray, deeply eroded badlands surrounding the overlook. From the rim, the combination of smooth hills, sharp gullies, exposed rock and almost complete lack of vegetation creates the strange, lunar appearance that gave Moonscape Overlook its name.

The colors change dramatically with the light. In full daylight, the Mancos Shale can look gray and muted. Around sunrise and sunset, however, the low-angle light brings out blue, purple, pink and gold tones in the landscape.

You’re essentially standing on the edge of the Skyline Rim looking across the Lower Blue Hills and Blue Valley, with Factory Butte and the Henry Mountains visible in the wider landscape. BLM describes the overlook as being perched on Skyline Rim at the edge of Factory Bench.

Is Moonscape Overlook Worth Visiting?

Absolutely, especially if you’re already exploring the Hanksville and Factory Butte area.

Moonscape Overlook isn’t a traditional attraction with a visitor center, hiking trail or interpretive signs. It’s essentially a viewpoint at the end of a remote dirt road. You drive out, walk to the rim and suddenly the landscape opens up below you.

That’s also exactly why I like it.

There’s no long hike required and no entrance fee. The main attraction is the view itself, particularly around sunrise and sunset when the low-angle light transforms the gray Mancos Shale into a much more colorful landscape.

If you’re building a Highway 24 road trip, I’d combine Moonscape Overlook with the Long Dong Silver hike, Factory Butte, Goblin Valley, Bentonite Hills, Little Egypt and Capitol Reef National Park.

The Best Time to Visit the Moonscape Overlook

The best time to visit Moonscape Overlook is around sunrise or sunset, when low-angle light creates shadows across the Mancos Shale badlands and brings out colors that aren’t as obvious in the middle of the day.

Sunrise

Sunrise is my favorite time at Moonscape Overlook. Get there roughly 30 minutes before sunrise so you can watch the landscape change from blue hour into golden hour.

This is also when you’ll have the best chance of seeing the cool blue-gray tones that give the Blue Valley its name before the sun warms everything up.

Sunset

Sunset is another excellent option, particularly if you’re planning to camp overnight. The low sun creates long shadows across the badlands and gives you plenty of time to explore the viewpoints before dark.

What about midday?

You can absolutely visit during the middle of the day, but don’t expect the same dramatic lighting. I visited around 9 a.m. to scout camping locations, and while the landscape was still impressive, it wasn’t nearly as dramatic as it was around sunrise and sunset.

My pick: Arrive before sunrise, spend the morning exploring nearby Factory Butte and the other Highway 24 attractions, then return for sunset and camp overnight.

Best Seasons to Visit

Spring and fall are generally the most comfortable seasons for visiting Moonscape Overlook. Summer temperatures can become dangerously hot, while winter can bring freezing conditions.

Regardless of the season, check the weather before driving out. The dirt roads in this area are clay-based and can become impassable after rain or snow.

Photography at Moonscape Overlook

Moonscape Overlook is primarily a photography destination, and the light matters almost as much as the landscape itself.

For sunrise and sunset, I’d bring a wide-angle lens to capture the scale of the Blue Valley, plus a telephoto if you want to compress the layers of badlands, Factory Butte and the distant mountains.

A tripod is useful around blue hour when shutter speeds get longer, particularly if you’re shooting at lower ISO.

The biggest thing to remember is that the cliff edge is not the place to get reckless for a photo. The BLM specifically warns that sandstone can be unstable and recommends staying away from cliff edges.

And yes, I flew my drone here. But conditions can get seriously windy. I nearly decided against flying during one of my visits because the gusts had picked up enough that losing the drone somewhere in Blue Valley seemed like a very expensive scavenger hunt.

Drone Photography at Moonscape Overlook

I flew my drone during my visit, but drone regulations can change, so check current FAA and BLM restrictions before launching. Also keep a very close eye on wind conditions. This is not where you want to discover your drone’s maximum wind resistance.

How to Get to the Moonscape Overlook

Moonscape Overlook is about 10 miles west of Hanksville on Utah Highway 24. From UT-24, you’ll turn north onto Factory Butte Road, then continue toward Skyline View Road to reach the overlook. The GPS coordinates of Moonscape Overlook are 38.45222,-110.83806.

How to Get to Moonscape Overlook From Hanksville

1. From Hanksville, drive west on Utah Highway 24 for approximately 10 miles.
2. Turn right/north onto Factory Butte Road.
3. Follow Factory Butte Road north for about six miles on the unpaved road.
4. Turn east onto Coal Mine Road and follow the route toward Skyline View.
5. Continue along Skyline View Road toward the overlook.
6. Moonscape Overlook is at the end of the road near the Skyline Rim.

Navigation note: Google Maps may label portions of the route differently, including Coal Mine Road and Skyline View Road. The BLM identifies the access roads as BLM Road 0091 and BLM Road 0913, so don’t rely exclusively on road names when navigating.

Do You Need 4WD or High Clearance for Moonscape Overlook?

My recommendation: A high-clearance SUV is the safest choice. 4WD is useful but isn’t necessarily the defining requirement.

You don’t necessarily need 4WD, but I would prioritize ground clearance over drivetrain.

I personally drove my 2WD 2012 Kia Soul to Moonscape Overlook, so I know from experience that it has been possible in a standard passenger vehicle under good conditions.

However, conditions change, and the BLM’s current guidance recommends a high-clearance vehicle. The roads are unpaved and can become impassable after rain or snow.

If the forecast calls for rain, I would postpone the trip rather than trying to prove how adventurous your rental car is.

Camping at Moonscape Overlook

Dispersed camping is possible in the Factory Butte area, but don’t expect a campground at Moonscape Overlook.

There are no developed facilities at the overlook itself, including toilets or water, so you’ll need to be completely self-sufficient. BLM specifically advises visitors to plan ahead and pack out everything they bring in.

The wider Factory Butte SRMA allows dispersed camping in established camp areas under its applicable rules, and there are no developed camping facilities within the SRMA.

I camped here specifically so I could wake up for sunrise without dragging myself out of bed in the middle of the night. Honestly, this is one of those situations where sleeping next to the attraction makes a lot of sense.

Where to Stay Near Mooscape Overlook

Not looking to camp? Try the Whispering Sands Motel over in Hanksville or if you don’t mind being a little further afield you can check out lodges over in the Torrey area on the other side of Capitol Reef National Park.

What to Bring to Moonscape Overlook

Moonscape Overlook is remote, so don’t arrive expecting to find a gas station, restaurant or convenience store around the corner.

Bring:

• Plenty of drinking water
• Food and snacks
• Offline maps and downloaded GPS coordinates
• A full tank of gas
• Layers for changing temperatures
• Sun protection
• Sturdy shoes
• Camera and tripod if you’re photographing sunrise or sunset
• Camping gear if staying overnight
• Extra supplies if you’re traveling in summer or winter

Moonscape Overlook Safety Tips

Watch the weather

This is probably the single most important thing to know before visiting. The dirt roads around Moonscape Overlook are clay-based and can become impassable after rain or snow. Don’t drive out onto them if significant precipitation is expected.

Take caution around the cliffs

The overlook is literally a cliff edge. Take care as formations can be unstable formations and narrow ledges can be unstable. The BLM warns that sandstone can be unstable.

Prepare for extreme temperatures

Summer can be dangerously hot, while winter can be extremely cold. Spring and fall are generally more comfortable, and early morning or late afternoon are better times to visit during hotter months.

Stay on designated roads

The Factory Butte area includes protected plant habitat and designated motorized routes. Stay on established/designated routes and don’t create your own road across the desert. BLM specifically manages motorized travel in this area to protect sensitive species.

Best Places to Visit Near Moonscape Overlook

One of the best things about Moonscape Overlook is how many bizarre landscapes are packed into this corner of Utah. If you’re already driving out here, don’t turn around after one viewpoint.

Factory Butte

One of the area’s most recognizable landmarks, Factory Butte rises dramatically from the surrounding badlands. It’s essentially impossible to miss as you drive toward Moonscape Overlook.

Bentonite Hills

The colorful Bentonite Hills are one of my favorite stops near Highway 24 and another place where Utah looks suspiciously like another planet. They’re especially photogenic around sunrise and sunset.

Long Dong Silver

The Long Dong Silver Spire is a great short walk, accessible by following an off road track from Highway 24 west of Hanksville.

Goblin Valley State Park

If you’re heading north rather than west, Goblin Valley makes an excellent detour for its bizarre sandstone hoodoos.

Capitol Reef National Park

Continue west toward Capitol Reef for dramatically different scenery, including Waterpocket Fold, sandstone cliffs, canyons and hiking trails.

Little Egypt

Little Egypt is a compact collection of hoodoos and sandstone formations that’s easy detour from a Highway 24 road trip.

Why I Loved the Moonscape Overlook

Moonscape Overlook is one of those Utah places that barely looks real in photographs and somehow looks even stranger when you’re actually standing there.

There’s no visitor center, no paved trail and no elaborate infrastructure. Just a dirt road, a cliff edge and the strange gray landscape of Blue Valley stretching out below you.

And honestly, that’s part of the appeal.

If you’re driving Highway 24 between Hanksville and Capitol Reef, I’d absolutely make the detour. Go around sunrise or sunset, give yourself enough time to explore, and check the weather before heading down the dirt roads.

Utah has no shortage of famous landscapes, but the Hanksville area is where things start getting properly weird. Moonscape Overlook is one of my favorite examples.

Have any questions about visiting the Moonscape Overlook?

Ask in the comments sections below.

Posts from Utah