This Small Town Has The Best “Grand Canyon” You’ve Never Heard Of

The Grand Canyon, the most visited natural wonder in the world, lives as much as its identify—the breathtaking layered bands of historic purple rocks that intricately outline the panorama are certainly… grand. It is a geological surprise that tells the wealthy historical past of volcanic actions, tectonic plate actions, and historic seas—carved by the outstanding Colorado River.

However the Grand Canyon is so common that it will get crowded, particularly throughout faculty breaks, between late April and early September, the proper time for households to take holidays. On the plus aspect, there is a gorgeous different to the Grand Canyon—with out the crowds—the Moonscape Overlook, positioned in one in all Utah’s lovely small cities.

Hanksville, a remote small town in Utah, is filled with adventure. Right here, vacationers can discover the spectacular Moonscape Overlook. It is a attractive viewpoint just like the Grand Canyon, however rewards everybody with a chilly, grayish panorama that appears just like the moon’s floor—sure, it feels such as you’re being transported to the moon!

Hanksville could also be one of many most underrated scenic spots to visit in Utah (especially in the summer), however its magnificence and attract are for all seasons, particularly with the outstanding surroundings that Moonscape Overlook affords. Here is why it is price a go to!

Moonscape Overlook Is The ‘Grand Canyon’ Of Hanksville, Utah

Its hanging resemblance to the Grand Canyon is awe-inspiring

On the Colorado Plateau’s chilly desert area sits the small city of Hanksville, some of the underrated alternatives to Zion National Park for its proximity to nationwide park websites and undiscovered gems.

It is residence to lower than 200 residents, with a peaceable and laid-back environment, and the gateway to a few of Utah’s most spectacular, distant desert landscapes.

A hidden gem in Hanksville is Moonscape Overlook, a dramatic viewpoint boasting otherworldly surroundings that makes it look like you are standing on the moon’s floor, gazing at its extraterrestrial views. The overlook’s grey, blue, and desaturated pink hues make it extra theatrical in any respect angles, like Arizona’s Grand Canyon’s dramatic however somewhat extra colourful canyon partitions.

Moonscape Overlook wasn’t named Moonscape for no cause. As quickly as vacationers step in, the panorama will make them really feel as in the event that they’ve simply landed on the moon, and its extraterrestrial surroundings makes for an ideal Utah escape for vacationers searching for otherworldly locations.

The barren hills and eroded cliffs create Moonscape Overlook’s unbelievable lunar panorama. The sprawling views of the huge panorama are actually unsurpassed—resembling a moonscape in an expansive desert plain.

At dawn and sundown, Moonscape Overlook turns into much more surreal when the mushy rays replicate the gorgeous layers of badlands, creating a beautiful mix of grey, blue, and pink shades. The overlook is a favourite spot amongst photographers for its panoramic surroundings in a cosmic setting.

Its location in Hanksville, among the best small towns in Utah with the best hikes, opens as much as outstanding mountaineering trails close by, together with the superb hikes at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah’s most underrated national park, that makes you forget Zion.

Hold your eyes peeled for the colourful desert flora and thriving fauna that add to the area’s dazzling wonders!

Moonscape Overlook lies east of Capitol Reef National Park. The cell service right here is both spotty or nonexistent, so be ready with all the pieces you want—spare tires, water, meals, a primary help package, and good clothes. There are additionally no services within the space or close by.

How To Get to Moonscape Overlook

Driving to the overlook is not a straightforward job, nevertheless it’s price it

Moonscape Overlook is nestled on a canyon rim known as Skyline Rim, which may be seen on Google Maps. It’s ten miles from Hanksville through Freeway 24. Flip proper onto Manufacturing facility Butte Street via Coal Mine Street, the place you may flip proper.

Hold left while you see an intersection till you attain Skyline View Street at one other intersection. At this intersection, you may flip proper. Then maintain left, and at about 1.8 miles, you may be on the Moonscape Overlook parking space.

Similar to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, which is extra distant (one cause why some vacationers like visiting the South Rim better than the North Rim), the drive to the overlook may be difficult, however it might be simpler when you adopted the GPS coordinates. The filth street to Moonscape Overlook is bumpy and tough, which requires driving a automobile with greater clearance to make it much less difficult.

There are many attractive spots alongside the street to take Instagrammable photographs, however watch out when getting out of the automobile alongside the overlook, because the panorama’s floor is harmful. The world’s rugged desert terrain is ideal for off-roading adventurers.

A second overlook up the hill affords a distinct angle of the panorama, nevertheless it’s steep and harmful.

Manufacturing facility Butte enroute Moonscape Overlook

Moreover, in your solution to Moonscape Overlook, you may move by the gorgeous Manufacturing facility Butte, an amazing cease to admire its superb formation.

Administered by the Bureau of Land Administration, the Factory Butte is an iconic 6,302-foot formation that rises dramatically from the barren desert flooring.

Hanksville Is An Journey Of Its Personal

It is a peaceable small city with a lot to supply

First settled in 1882, Hanksville is in a secluded a part of Southern Utah. It is an amazing jumping-off level to go to the close by sights, resembling Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, Lake Powell, the Henry Mountains, Goblin Valley State Park, the San Rafael Swell, and, in fact, Moonscape Overlook and the Manufacturing facility Butte.

Many of those close by sights supply the best canyon hikes in Utah, which are better than Zion National Park. Hanksville’s surrounding landscapes are geological wonders and make for spectacular hikes, off-roading, and even stargazing.

The Hollow Mountain Convenience Store is a unusual landmark in Hanksville. It was inbuilt 1984 and carved right into a rock hillside. It’s a nice cease for vacationers who must refuel and purchase snacks, souvenirs, and different requirements whereas within the space.

Hanksville’s distant location and unbelievable desert panorama lure many vacationers to find and expertise this hidden gem in Southern Utah. It affords a front-row seat to a few of Utah’s nationwide and state parks and different marvelous sights, together with Moonscape Overlook, which isn’t to be missed when touring to Southern Utah!