Between Capitol Reef and Lake Powell lies something most travelers pass by — but shouldn’t.
A place where the landscape feels unreal, the roads get quieter, and the experience becomes entirely your own.
This is The Factory!
WHAT IS THE FACTORY?
FACTORY BUTTE
Factory Butte is a prominent 6,302-foot sandstone monolith near Hanksville, Utah, featuring dramatic, erosion-carved badlands. Located east of Capitol Reef National Park, it is a popular destination for photography, off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding in the Swing Arm City area, camping, and spring wildflower viewing.
SWINGARM CITY (OHV)
Swingarm City is a “freeride” area which means you’re free to ride anywhere in the designated areas. There is no true trail system in the area, but don’t let that deter you from exploring it. There are short trails on top of the steep “spines” as well as zig-zag trails within the tight canyon walls of dirt.
MOONSCAPE OVERLOOK
The Moonscape Overlook features jagged, eroded landscapes and is a breathtaking, undeveloped viewpoint known for its 270-degree panoramic views of grey-blue badlands that resemble the surface of the moon. The area features jagged, eroded Mancos shale and bentonite clay, formed 90 million years ago.
MARS DESERT RESEARCH STATION
The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) is the world’s largest and longest-running Mars surface analog research facility. Located in the high-desert terrain of Utah near Hanksville, to simulate the conditions, technology, and human factors required for future human exploration of the Red Planet.
DARK SKY AREA
Hanksville itself is surrounded by some of the darkest skies in the world and serves as a gateway to several officially designated Dark Sky Parks. The extreme remoteness and minimal light pollution make it a premier destination for naked-eye stargazing and astrophotography.
OFFROAD RIDING & HORSE TRAILS
Off-roaders find world-class technical terrain at Factory Butte and Swing Arm City, offering vast open-play areas and ridgeline trails. For equestrians, areas include remote, historic backcountry routes once used by outlaws. Riders can navigate deep slot canyons and expansive mesas, experiencing total solitude.
LIVING HISTORY & MONUMENTS
The history surrounding Hanksville, Utah, spans millions of years, from prehistoric dinosaur eras to the lawless days of the Wild West and the mid-20th-century uranium boom. Of special interest to many are the old trails and hideouts frequented by the now famous Wild Bunch led by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
REMOTE CANYONS
The canyons surrounding Hanksville are a labyrinth of wonders, where the San Rafael Swell meets the Dirty Devil river system. These remote slots and sandstone corridors offer immersive, cinematic experiences of deep isolation and geological drama. These canyons provide a raw, prehistoric landscape for hikers and canyoneers.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGS
The Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry. This Jurassic-era contains thousands of fossilized bones from giants like Diplodocus and Allosaurus, deposited 150 million years ago in an ancient riverbed. Remote cliff dwellings, granaries, and intricate petroglyphs offer a silent record of human adaptation to this rugged landscape.
WHY IT MATTERS
Travelers moving between Utah’s national parks and Lake Powell often skip this stretch due to distance, limited services, and lack of infrastructure.
But those who stop here find something different.
Space, silence, and access to a completely open landscape.
WHERE TO STAY
MUDDY CREEK MINING COMPANY
A 20-cabin desert lodging property serving as a basecamp for exploring The Factory.
Automated Online Booking
Easy Check-in
Come by any time, night or day.
Your Stay – Your Say
COMING SOON
- Expanded lodging
- Basecamp experiences
- EV charging infrastructure
- Guided routes
- Curated experiences
- Regional destination development