Cool Things to Do in Hanksville, Utah – A Jam-Packed Day of Adventure!
- Arika Bauer
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 30 minutes ago
Have you heard of Hanksville? It’s a tiny town (the population is only around 200) but it’s situated in such a fantastic spot in Southern Utah…close to Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and so much more. I recently had the chance to go on a fun road trip to spend a whole day exploring all the things to do in Hanksville, Utah, and let me tell you, there’s a lot!
Hanksville, Utah Travel Guide
Hanksville is one of the many hidden gems in Southern Utah, and this post will help you get familiar with the town and all the reasons to visit this underrrated adventure hub.
Where is Hanksville, Utah?
Hanksville is located in south-central Utah, about an hour and a half west of Moab and 4 hours northeast of Zion National Park. It’s conveniently close to Capitol Reef National Park, and not too far from both Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, making it an ideal stop for any Southern Utah road trip.
When to Visit Hanksville, Utah
Just like anywhere else in Southern Utah, Hanksville gets REALLY hot in the summer, so you’ll usually experience the most pleasant temperatures here in spring or fall. Winter can also be lovely, if you bring layers to stay warm and are prepared for the possibility of snow (which can be beautiful against the red rock desert landscape).
Where to Stay Near Hanksville: Red Sands Hotel
As I was planning my trip to Hanksville, I searched for cool places to stay in town, but nothing really caught my eye. Since Hanksville is only an hour from the town of Torrey, which I love and know well, it made more sense to stay there. Plus, we had plans to do some hiking in Capitol Reef which is close to Torrey, so it made a great home base for this Southern Utah adventure.
We chose to stay at Red Sands Hotel because it is the only hotel in the area with a spa…perfect for a girls trip! The hotel had recently been updated, and it has an attached restaurant (though the food was just okay). The location is super convenient for visiting Capitol Reef National Park.
Our room was quite nice with comfortable beds, and we definitely took advantage of the private jacuzzi room at the spa! Not only was the warm water relaxing, but the view from the hot tub was beautiful which added to the tranquil vibes.
A Full Day of Things to Do in Hanksville, Utah
My niece recently joined me for a little road trip adventure, and we spent a jam-packed day exploring so many of the best things to do in and around Hanksville, Utah!
Breakfast: Wild Rabbit Cafe
To start our big day, we stopped into the Wild Rabbit Cafe in Torrey to fuel up. It’s adorable, and they serve excellent coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches. By 8am, we were ready to go with lots of water, plenty of snacks, and a full tank of gas to hit the road.
Morning: Temple of the Sun & Moon and Leprechaun Canyon
Temple of the Sun & Moon
Our first stop was the Temple of the Sun & Moon, about an hour and a half drive from Torrey, and I was honestly a little nervous about it. Getting there requires a 45 minute drive on a rough dirt road, and I really wasn’t sure if I would be that impressed after such a long and bumpy ride. But it actually lived up to the hype!
The dirt road was beautiful and fun to drive, and once we reached our destination, I absolutely loved walking around the rock temples and taking photos. The Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon formations really did produce a sense of awe and reverence just like a man-made temple does.
Photo Tip: The light for these formations will be better in the morning or evening when the shadows make it more dramatic.
Leprechaun Canyon
After exploring the Temples of the Sun and Moon, we drove through Hanksville and on to Leprechaun Canyon, which was about an hour and 45-minute drive. Once we arrived at the trailhead, the hike through Leprechaun Canyon was 1.2 miles (about 2.5 miles round trip) to a stunning slot canyon tucked away in the desert.
The hike was lovely, but we were very glad it was short, since it was really warming up mid-day. The temps hit about 80 degrees, but with no shade and full sun, it felt even hotter. The slot canyon section of the hike was a nice reprieve since it was shady. Luckily, there is also basically no elevation gain on this hike, making it a great option for all levels.
Leprechaun Canyon is definitely one of the best slot canyon hikes near Hanksville, but I don’t recommend doing it in the middle of the day during summer. If you are visiting in warmer months, go later or earlier in the day for shade and cooler temps. It's also a fantastic family-friendly hike when temperatures are manageable!
Lunch: Duke’s Slickrock Grill
After our visit to Leprechaun Canyon, we drove back to Hanksville for lunch. For such a small town they have some really great options. We decided on Duke’s Slickrock Grill, a fun Western-style restaurant with great reviews. Unfortunately, our tacos were not that great, but we might have just picked the wrong thing!
Afternoon: Wild Horse Window Trail & Goblin Valley State Park
Wild Horse Window
After lunch, we headed to Wild Horse Window trail, just under a 30-minute drive from Hanksville. This is another short hike (around 2 miles round trip), but it has a few hundred feet of elevation gain. With temps pushing 85 degrees and no shade, it felt extremely hot, so we were relieved it was a short trail.
Once we climbed the sandstone up to Wild Horse Window, we were greeted by a massive arch and a circular opening in the ceiling. Best of all? Shade! You'll also spot ancient petroglyphs in the arch. The hike back is mostly downhill, which is always a win.
SAFETY TIP: Before you hit the trail, make sure you have a map! A lot of trailheads don’t have cell service, so you won’t be able to download one on the spot. AllTrails is a super handy app that most hikers use to keep a trail map on their phone—highly recommended!
Goblin Valley State Park
After finishing our hike, we were so close to Goblin Valley State Park (just 20 minutes from the trailhead) that we decided to head over to walk around and explore for a bit. This unique landscape is packed with hoodoos and goblin-shaped rock formations that feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet. It’s such a fun and surreal stop!
Pit Stop: Outlaw’s Roost & Carl’s Critter Garden
We needed a break after all the hiking and sun, so we headed back into Hanksville for a sweet treat at Outlaw’s Roost. When I saw a house-made margarita on the menu, I was sold! It was delicious and relaxing to sit on the patio sipping a cold drink after a hot desert day.
Driving through Hanksville, we spotted some interesting metal sculptures along the roadside, so after our drinks and ice cream, we pulled over to check them out. I wasn’t prepared for the magic we found!
Turns out, this place is called Carl’s Critter Garden, and it was magical. Stroll around and find your favorite critter among the plethora of interesting sculptures, who are all “friendly and happy to see you” according to the sign out front. This unique roadside attraction is free (though donations are encouraged) and well worth the stop (and a donation) for the joy it brings. So so highly recommend!
Evening: Factory Butte & Moonscape Overlook
Our final stop on the way back to Torrey was the iconic Factory Butte. I’d seen tons of photos of this towering formation and wanted to see if it lived up to the hype. Spoiler: it did. It was super easy to access—just a 10-minute drive on a well-maintained dirt road off Utah State Route 24.
The way the light hit Factory Butte was unreal. Although we originally planned to visit Moonscape Overlook, the lighting wasn’t quite right, so instead we pulled over, climbed a nearby hill, and soaked in the views. We took some beautiful photos and just enjoyed the peaceful moment.
It was the perfect final stop on a long and incredible day of exploring around Hanksville.
Other Awesome Things to Do Near Hanksville, Utah
Our itinerary was packed, but if you have extra time in the area, here are some more must-see spots near Hanksville:
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef is less than an hour from Hanksville, and it’s an underrated gem in Utah’s Mighty Five. With easy hikes, stunning cliffs, and historic orchards, this park is perfect for families and nature lovers alike. Don’t miss the views of the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long “geologic wrinkle on earth” that dominates the landscape of Capitol Reef.
Check out my full guide to Capitol Reef here!
Canyonlands National Park
Just two hours from Hanksville, Canyonlands National Park is all about big views and rugged beauty. Catch sunrise at Mesa Arch, hike the Island in the Sky district, and enjoy vast desert panoramas.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park is only an hour and a half from Hanksville. This park is known for its epic sandstone arches and photogenic views. The scenic drive is gorgeous, and if you’re up for a hike, Delicate Arch is an iconic stop.
Find out more about exploring Arches in my post here!
Hope this guide to the best things to do in Hanksville, Utah sparks some inspiration for your own desert adventure!
Happy Adventuring,
Arika
