🏜️ Hanksville’s Hidden Trails: Arches, Aliens & Ancient Giants 🚙🦕 | Part 4 of 12

December 1, 2024

Welcome back, adventure lovers! We're officially on Part 4 of our 12-part video series documenting the remote, rugged, and ridiculously beautiful corners of Utah.

Last week, we took you through Hanksville—highlighting local gems, scenic campsites, and Martian landscapes that felt truly out of this world.

This week, we’re diving deeper—down three off-road trails around Hanksville, each with its own surprises: arches, dinosaur bones, NASA outposts, and epic views of Factory Butte and the Henry Mountains that seem to follow us wherever we roam.

So strap in—because whether you're planning your own trip or adventuring vicariously through us, this ride is worth it.

🚙 Trail #1: The Moonscape Detour & the Canyon Surprise 🌌🪨

We kicked things off on a trail just past Skyline Rim, where the road heads south from the Moonscape Overlook area. This was a tip straight from the BLM office—and if you’ve been following our series, you already know we trust their advice like gospel.

🔎 Looking for the Arch… and Finding More

We were told there was an arch along this route, and yes—we found it! 🏹

Was it the most dramatic arch in Utah? Not exactly. We’ll admit, we were a little underwhelmed. But here's where the story turns.

At the end of the trail, The Hubs had a hunch: “I think there’s a canyon just past that ridge.”

Cue the drone deployment. 🛰️

Sure enough, there it was—a stunning canyon tucked just out of sight. So we hiked a short way to soak it in, with Factory Butte looming in the distance like a guardian of the valley.

📸 It’s become a bit of a theme: the arch may have been the draw, but the canyon and Butte views were the real stars of the show.

🚛 Trail #2: Cow Dung Road — Mars Called, It Wants Its Landscape Back 🛸🟥

Our second adventure had us grinning before we even turned off the main road. Why?

Because this trail is called... Cow Dung Road. 💩

Yep. Real name. No sign though—turns out, they’ve given up trying to keep one in place. It keeps getting stolen. (Can’t say we blame them. That’s a top-tier souvenir.)

📍 Getting There:

Just under 4 miles west of Hanksville, look for the turnoff just past mile marker 113 on Hwy 24.

From there, the landscape gets wilder with every mile.

🪐 Welcome to Mars

Once you’re on Cow Dung Road, you’re immediately hit with the sense that you’ve left Earth entirely. Think bentonite hills in vibrant hues—deep reds, purples, grays—sculpted like giant sand drips.

🧸 The rocks feel like toys of a desert giant, carelessly scattered after playtime. Everything about the place feels imaginative, otherworldly, and wildly photogenic.

🧪 The Mars Desert Research Station: No Trespassing, No Drones

Speaking of other worlds... you know where NASA tests its Mars gear?

Right here.

Along the route sits the Mars Desert Research Station, a NASA-funded outpost manned by scientists and students preparing for future Mars missions. They study habitability, geology, and even test spacesuit protocols.

🚫 But no drone flights or uninvited visits—it’s private and highly restricted. Cool to glimpse from a distance though.

🦖 Dinosaur Bones at the End of the Road

At the far end of Cow Dung Road is the Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry, one of the largest dinosaur bone deposits in the U.S.

Discovered in 2007, this site preserves the remains of at least 15 dinosaur species. When researchers are active, visitors can sometimes observe digs. Unfortunately, no activity during our visit—but it’s still wild to know what lies just beneath your boots.

Maybe that's the real reason behind the “cow dung” name… Jurassic leftovers? 🤔

🏔️ Trail #3: Behind the Butte – Wild Horse to Cathedral Valley 🚵‍♀️🧭

For our third and final trail of this week’s adventure, we explored the area behind Factory Butte, connecting Wild Horse Road with North Caineville Reef Road.

🏕️ Our Starting Point: The Campsite

If you watched last week’s episode, you’ll remember the incredible dispersed campsite we found near Factory Butte. This became our launch point for a looped route that takes you south—toward Cathedral Valley Road.

🚦Heads-up: If you go north instead, you’ll end up at Goblin Valley State Park.

We wanted to explore more remote territory—and this drive delivered.

🌌 The Star Show + Final Campfire

Before closing the chapter on Hanksville, we had one last night under the stars. ✨

No light pollution. No distractions. Just a sky full of galaxies and the occasional coyote yelp.

And yes—we finally had that campfire we promised you last episode. 🔥 Better late than never.

👋 Wrapping Up Hanksville: A Place That Grows on You

As we pack up for the next leg of our journey, we can’t help but reflect on how Hanksville surprised us.

• A town of less than 200 people

• Dinosaur bones underfoot

• Alien landscapes on every horizon

• Mars research just a ridge away

• Arches, canyons, campsites, and community

It’s a strange and special place—and one that rewards curiosity.

🎬 What’s Coming Next: Canyon-Rim Camping & Capitol Reef Wonders 🏞️🌄

In our next episode, we’ll be taking you:

• ⛺ To a rim-side campsite with epic sunrise views

• 🏍️ On a challenging but scenic off-road ride

• 🏛️ Into the hidden sides of Capitol Reef National Park you may have never seen

🔔 Make sure to click the bell on YouTube so you don’t miss a beat. And if this journey inspired you, consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and leaving us a comment with your favorite trail of the week.

🙌 Until Then…

Wherever we go in this region, one thing’s for certain:

We’re never far from Factory Butte, never without a view of the Henry Mountains, and always just around the bend from something truly unforgettable.

Thanks for riding along. 💛See you on the canyon rim next week.