Morgan Kotter5 min read
Hanksville is a small town on the Fremont River in Wayne County, Utah, on Highway 24 east of Capitol Reef National Park. It was established in 1882 by Ebenezer Hanks and has long been a supply stop. Today it is where you buy fuel on the way to Goblin Valley, Factory Butte, the San Rafael Swell slot canyons, the Henry Mountains and Lake Powell. From Torrey it is about 48 miles, roughly an hour and ten minutes by car.
Nobody plans a holiday around Hanksville itself. You end up there because nearly every day trip east of Capitol Reef runs through it, and it is worth knowing what the town has before you rely on it.
A Short History
The Town of Hanksville records that the area was first known as Graves Valley, after John Graves, said to have been a member of the Powell exploring expeditions. Ebenezer Hanks established the town in 1882.
It was a supply post for Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch, who hid out at Robbers Roost. After the Second World War it supplied the prospectors and miners working the Colorado Plateau. Now, the town says, tourism matters most: Lake Powell, Capitol Reef, the Henry Mountains and Goblin Valley.
Getting There from Torrey
Take Highway 24 east through Capitol Reef National Park, past Fruita and the visitor center, through Caineville and on to Hanksville. OpenStreetMap routing puts it at about 48 miles and roughly 1 hour 10 minutes. That is approximate, and the canyon stretch inside the park is worth slowing down for.
The National Park Service lists Torrey (11 miles west of the visitor center) and Hanksville (37 miles east) as the nearest fuel to the park. Fill up in Hanksville before heading on to Goblin Valley or the Henry Mountains.
Cell service is not available inside Capitol Reef National Park, according to the Park Service, so download maps in Torrey before you leave.
Day Trips from Hanksville
Goblin Valley State Park. North of town off Highway 24. The Town of Hanksville describes it as 15 minutes north. Day use is $20 per private vehicle.
Factory Butte. The BLM places it 12 miles west of Hanksville on Highway 24, so you pass it on the way in from Torrey. It is free to look at from the paved road.
Slot canyons. The Town of Hanksville lists Little Wild Horse Canyon (3.3 miles one way, or an 8-mile loop with Bell Canyon) as the approachable one, and Ding and Dang as a 5.9-mile loop. Little Bull and Leprechaun Canyon involve technical rappels and tight squeezes and are for experienced canyoneers only. The town warns that flash floods are common and can come with little or no warning. Never enter a slot if rain is possible.
The Henry Mountains. The town gives Mount Ellen, the high point, as 11,527 feet, and puts the range's free-roaming bison herd at 250 to 400 animals. The access roads are rough dirt, and the town recommends four-wheel drive with good clearance. Summer and fall are the seasons it suggests.
Mars Desert Research Station. Just west of town, owned and run by the Mars Society as a space-analog research facility. It is not open to the public and offers no tours. You can see it from Cow Dung Road, and the town asks that you not drive up to the site.
What to Know
- Fuel and water. Fill both in Hanksville before the drive out to Goblin Valley or the Henrys.
- Flash floods. Treat every wash and slot out here as flood country. Check the forecast the morning you go.
- Summer heat. Goblin Valley, 15 minutes north, warns of temperatures in the 90s and 100s. Plan the hiking for early or late.
- Rough roads. The Henry Mountains and many slot canyon trailheads are on dirt. Ask locally about conditions after rain.
Where to Stay
Hanksville has lodging of its own, which the town lists on its website. If you want Capitol Reef on one side and these day trips on the other, base yourself in Torrey. Our Torrey lodging guide compares the options, and /stay covers the glamping units and Lodge rooms we run in Teasdale, a few minutes west of Torrey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hanksville, Utah?
Hanksville is a small town beside the Fremont River in Wayne County, east of Capitol Reef National Park on Highway 24. The National Park Service places it 37 miles east of the Capitol Reef visitor center.
How far is Hanksville from Torrey?
About 48 miles, roughly an hour and ten minutes by car on Highway 24 through Capitol Reef, according to OpenStreetMap routing. Treat that as approximate.
Is there gas in Hanksville?
Yes. The National Park Service lists Torrey and Hanksville as the nearest places to buy fuel for Capitol Reef National Park.
Can you visit the Mars Desert Research Station near Hanksville?
No. The Town of Hanksville says the station, owned and operated by the Mars Society, does not allow visitors or offer tours. You may drive past on Cow Dung Road and view it from where parking is permitted.
Who was Hanksville named after?
Ebenezer Hanks, who established the town in 1882, according to the Town of Hanksville. The area was first known as Graves Valley.
Checked 2026-10-13. History, setting and tourism: Town of Hanksville. Goblin Valley distance: Town of Hanksville, Goblin Valley. Slot canyons: Town of Hanksville, slot canyons. Henry Mountains and bison: Town of Hanksville, Henry Mountains. Mars Desert Research Station: Town of Hanksville, Mars on Earth. Fuel and cell service: National Park Service, local services. Goblin Valley fee and heat: Utah State Parks. Factory Butte location: BLM, Factory Butte Recreation Area. Drive time: OpenStreetMap data via the OSRM router, Torrey to Hanksville.
