Best places to visit near Capitol Reef National Park

Everyone knows that visiting a National Park is always a winning decision. But what about the wide-open spaces between those famous parks—the stretches of land that rarely make the headlines but often hold the best surprises?

In Utah, we’re in luck. Every inch of this stunning state is packed with scenery that stops you in your tracks and stories that stay with you long after the trip is over. And when it comes to places around Capitol Reef National Park, the list of lesser-known gems is long, exciting, and absolutely worth exploring.

So what can you visit near Capitol Reef? Hanksville: Your Gateway to Capitol Reef’s Wild East

If you’re planning on visiting Capitol Reef from the east—say, after spending time in Moab—you’re in for a treat long before you even reach the park gates. The stretch between Moab and Capitol Reef is an entire universe of landscapes you could spend years exploring. And the small town of Hanksville sits right at the heart of it all.

Here are just a few incredible stops worth adding to your route:

• Moonscape Overlook

An otherworldly panorama of gray badlands and rolling ridgelines. It feels like you’ve stepped onto another planet—and at sunrise or sunset, the place becomes pure magic.

• Long Dong Silver Spire. A slender sandstone tower rising unexpectedly from the desert floor. Unique, photogenic, and surrounded by a maze of canyons, it’s a favorite stop for adventurous explorers and photographers.

• Blue Bentonite Hills at the Mars Research Station

Just outside Hanksville lies the Mars Desert Research Station, surrounded by blue, lavender, and teal bentonite hills that look straight out of a sci-fi novel. The colors alone are worth the trip.

• Goblin Valley State Park A short drive north, this bizarre playground of hoodoo-shaped “goblins” is one of Utah’s most fun and fascinating landscapes. Wander freely among the formations—you never know what shape you’ll discover next.