Factory Butte
Region: San Rafael Swell & Henry Mountains | Land Manager: BLM | Cost: Free
Factory Butte. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Factory Butte rises out of a stark, almost lunar badlands landscape west of Hanksville, and after dark, it might be the single best stargazing spot on this entire list. With no trees, no light pollution, and no ambient glow on any horizon, this is about as dark as the night sky gets in the continental United States.
Quick Facts
| Distance from Hanksville | Roughly 20 minutes northwest via UT-24 and dirt roads |
| Road & Clearance | Dirt roads off UT-24 require high clearance when dry; the clay soil here is some of the worst in the state when wet, do not attempt after rain |
| Rig Suitability | High-clearance vehicles and vans; not recommended for low-clearance rigs or trailers |
| Amenities | None |
| Cell Signal | Little to none |
| Best Season | Fall through spring, summer heat in this exposed badlands terrain is intense |
| Stay Limit | 14 days within 28, standard BLM rule |
Map
Getting There
From Hanksville, head northwest on UT-24, then follow the dirt roads leading toward the base of the butte. Established dispersed sites are visible from a distance thanks to the open terrain, with the butte itself serving as your landmark the whole way in.
What to Expect
Wide open, exposed badlands camping with almost no shade and almost no company outside of peak weekends. The area is popular with OHV riders and photographers chasing sunset light on the butte's colorful layers, but there's enough space to camp well away from the traffic. Bring everything, there is nothing out here but the terrain and the sky.
Good to Know
The clay soil around Factory Butte is notorious for turning into an impassable, sticky mess when wet, check the forecast carefully before committing, and don't drive on it if rain is expected within the next day or two. This is remote enough that getting stuck is a serious problem, not just an inconvenience.
Dark sky camping means running your rig entirely on stored power, no shore hookup, no generator hum to ruin the quiet. See how Momentum Upfitters builds systems for exactly this kind of trip →