Moonscape Overlook, Factory Butte & Bentonite Hills: Backroad Tour from Torrey
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4–5 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal fitness required—short, even walks to overlooks; accessible for most who can step on/off a vehicle.
Overview
Drive dusty backroads from Torrey to see moonscape mesas, the blunt silhouette of Factory Butte and pastel Bentonite Hills. A guided 4–5 hour tour maximizes sunrise and blue‑hour light for photos while explaining the geology and history of this lesser‑visited corner of central Utah.
Moonscape Overlook, Factory Butte & Bentonite Hills: Backroad Tour from Torrey
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You pull away from the Wayne County Visitor Center before dawn and the highway peels off into dirt. The SUV hums over washboard tracks while the first light sharpens ridgelines into hard relief. From the mesa rim at Moonscape Overlook the landscape unfolds like a geological sketchbook: rippled badlands, chalky bowls and ridges that catch the sun in bands of cream, rust and rust-red. Farther along, Factory Butte rises blunt and solitary against the sky. In the low light the Bentonite Hills look otherworldly—soft mounds streaked with pastels that could be mistaken for a painter’s palette or, given their silica-etched patterns, the surface of Mars.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Bring ample water
Carry at least 1–2 liters per person—shade and potable water are scarce once you leave Torrey.
Sun protection is mandatory
Wide‑brim hat, sunscreen and sunglasses keep you comfortable during exposed viewpoint stops.
Drone rules and etiquette
Drone use is generally allowed outside the national park but fly responsibly—avoid wildlife and keep line of sight.
Expect washboard and dirt roads
The tour uses maintained 4x4 tracks—if you’re prone to motion sickness sit near the front and secure loose gear.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Red-tailed hawks and other raptors
- Mule deer and occasional desert bighorn in more remote areas
History
The area sits in the erosion-sculpted landscape surrounding Capitol Reef and contains traces of Fremont-period use; settler-era ranching routes cross these backroads.
Conservation
Bentonite soils are fragile—stay on vehicle tracks and established viewpoints, pack out all waste, and limit off-trail travel to prevent erosion.
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Adventure Hotspots in Torrey, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sun hat and sunglasses
Protects from intense sun during exposed stops.
summer specific
Sturdy closed-toe shoes
Provides traction on loose bentonite and short uneven approaches to overlooks.
Camera or drone
Captures the dramatic patterns and colors; drone offers unique aerial perspectives where permitted.
Layered jacket
High desert temperatures swing quickly—layers keep you comfortable from morning chill to afternoon heat.
spring specific