Imagine standing on top of the moon as the sky reflects a kaleidoscope of colors. Visit Moonscape Overlook in Hanksville, Utah and you’ll feel as if you have transported to a different planet. This remarkable destination is off the beaten path and one of the most beautiful places in the Southwest!
I have been traveling the US for over seven months in a campervan and this was my favorite campsite yet! We had the whole place to ourselves for a night and it seriously felt like we had flown to another planet. Also, the sunsets and sunrises there were some of the best I have ever seen. Plus, the best part of all is there was great phone service there!
I had a hard time finding this spot, so I wanted to make it easier for others to find. Read below to find out everything you need to know about getting to this hidden gem in Utah!
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Table of Contents
Moonscape Overlook Details
What to do at Moonscape Overlook
This destination is great for anyone who loves to practice their photography or enjoy nature. It takes a bit of an effort to get to the overlook, but once you get there you will be absolutely amazed at the surreal landscape. You can walk the around the edge, watch the sunrise and sunset, or just enjoy a quiet night of camping.
You don’t have to camp at this spot, but spending the night there to see both sunrise and sunset is absolutely worth it! Many photographers arrive early in the morning to set up their shot over the panoramic views. So if you are camping there, then you can pick your spot first and get ahead of the other visitors.
How to Get There
After hours of research and scoping out iOverlander icons, I finally found Moonscape Overlook. If you google it, you may not find any clear answers on how to get there, so I wanted to help others find this amazing spot. The coordinates for this camping area are 38.45222,-110.83806. You can find this on iOverlander or on Google Maps.
If you are coming from Hanksville, then you will take UT 24 W for about 12 miles, then you will take a right on Coal Mine Road. When you get to this road, you will pass Factory Butte on your left, so you will know that you are heading in the right direction.
Once you get a few miles down the road, you will see Skyline View Road. Turn right on this road and continue it all the way until you get to Moon Overlook Road. This road goes up into the sky. Once you get to the top of the road, you will be greeted by the stunning landscapes and you will know you have arrived at Moonscape Overlook.
Best Time to Go
If you aren’t planning on camping in this spot, then you should try to see this area during times of the day that have good lighting. Sunrise and sunset are particularly beautiful, because the colors transform the sky and make the landscape look even more epic. Blue hour, which is the hour before sunrise and the hour after sunset, are also great times to capture the landscape and take photos.
This area of the country can see extreme heat and high temperatures. Campers will want to try and stay in this area when there are milder temperatures in the late Fall and early Spring. Unless you have an RV or campervan with temperature controls you will want to avoid the peak heat in summer, late spring, and early fall. Temperatures can soar into the 100s and it will be miserable to sleep in this kind of environment.
Things to Know Before You Go:
- Winds can get extremely strong at the campsites on the top of the hill. If there are extreme winds, you may want to consider sleeping elsewhere for safety reasons.
- You will need to pack in and pack out everything that you need to camp. Remember to Leave No Trace and leave the campsites better than you found them.
- This spot is very popular during sunrise and sunset, so you may see more people than you expect at the top. Photographers come to this area just to take photos and then may leave overnight.
- You should always look up whether fires are allowed in the area and if there is any wind you shouldn’t have a campfire. You can read more about the public lands in Utah at the BLM website.
- Campsites here are on public land. You can only stay here for 14 days within a period of 28 days, so do not overstay your welcome.
Let me know in the comments if you found this guide helpful!
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Wow, well I can see why they call it moonscape – what an amazing looking place. Hoping to get out to Utah next year so saving this tip.
I hope you make it here! It’s seriously fantastic.
Moonscape Overlook is amazing. I can’t believe your photos, they are fantastic.
Thank you so much!
Utah keeps calling my name! But wasn’t aware of this gem! Moonscape Overlook in Hanksville, Utah does look like another planet. I would love to camp and explore the area. Stunning!
It is absolutely an amazing place to go! I highly recommend it.
Oh my gosh, you’re right that is the coolest campsite ever! How have I never heard of it! Thanks for the travel tip 😀
Of course, so glad I could help!
First of all, love your blog name! 🙂 This place looks incredible. We’ve been to Utah and have never heard of Moonscape Overlook, we will definitely add this to our next trip. Looks perfect!
Aww thank you! This place is amazing and I highly recommend a visit!
Lita –
How difficult/safe to go to the outcropping where you were photographed? I am going in April.
Thanks,
John
It honestly wasn’t difficult, but you definitely should be careful when going! Even my husband who is afraid of heights made it out there.
Did you need a special vehicle to get up there??
It’s a rough road, so high clearance and 4WD is better, but we made it in our 2WD van!
Hi Lita! Wondering if it’s possible to camp up there with a tent you think? Or only inside a vehicle? I’ll be going this week at the end of the week. Thanks!
Hi melissa! It really depends on the weather. It can get super windy up there, so I wouldn’t do it on a day with wind. If it was a nice calm day then it would be possible!
Can I sleep in my SUV? Im dying to go there
Yes you can!