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Hanksville And North Capitol Reef Guide

https://www.where2goguides.com/g/wendy-and-justin/hanksville-and-north-capitol-reef

Activities / Places

#1.Head of Sinbad Pictograph trail head

trailhead rock art hiking / walking

Notes

    • Interesting and detailed pictograph; there are others in the area as well at Locomotive Point (but we couldn't find them!)
    • We were able to drive up to the panel in a high clearance vehicle, but roads can be sandy and poor - use judgement 
    • Dutchman arch, Swasey Cabin and the Ice Box are also in this area
    • Link below (gjhikes) includes a map of many other rock art sites in this area

#2.Dutchman Arch trail head

want to go trailhead geologic feature

Notes

    • Unsure this is the exact trailhead; check Gaia
    • Unsure of road conditions, but likely ok
    • Head of Sinbad pictograph, Lone Warrior pictograph, Swasey Cabin and the Ice Box are also in this area

#3.Swasey Cabin

trailhead historic site

Notes

    • Cabin built in 1921 by the Swasey brothers
    • Not entirely sure of the roads, but probably ok for a passenger car
    • There is a restroom near here
    • Also check out The Ice Box (near here) per Roadtrip Ryan
    • Dutchman arch, Lone Warrior pictograph, Head of Sinbad pictograph are also near here
    -- Photographing the Southwest book (vol 1, I think)
  • This was mildly amusing, if you are in the area.
    -- From visit on October 3, 2024

#4.Hatt Ranch rock collecting area

want to go rockhounding
Area to find agate, grape agate, celestite geodes, and more

Notes

    • This is the entrance to the ranch from rt 24; this is an area of dirt roads, so high clearance is best (avoid when wet)

#5.Moonshine Wash Trailhead

trailhead hiking / walking
Excellent non-technical slot canyon

Notes

    • Very enjoyable non-technical slot canyon
    • It is possible to do a loop by traveling up the West Fork (although when we went, there were some challenging technical spots, which included a pool we had to swim)
    • Doing the loop requires good route-finding skills to get back to your car
    • This canyon is remote, and getting there requires many miles of driving on dirt roads. Be sure you are prepared (avoid the roads when wet, bring a high-clearance vehicle, emergency supplies, etc.).

#6.Old Woman Wash trail head

want to go trailhead hiking / walking
Possibly interesting canyon with rock art

Notes

    • Maybe interesting canyon to explore

#7.Farnsworth Canyon

want to go trailhead hiking / walking

Notes

    • Looks like an interesting canyon with rock art

#8.Temple Mountain Wash Pictograph Panel

rock art

#9.South Temple Wash Campground

campground
A BLM campground that is an alternative to camping at Goblin Valley State Park.

Notes

  • We stopped by but didn't camp. Seems like a fine, basic, convenient campground but nothing special.
    -- From visit on October 8, 2024

#10.Wild Horse Window and Wild Horse Canyon trail head

trailhead hiking / walking
Hike to a large alcove with a sky light and a slot canyon with petroglyphs

#11.Crack Canyon Trailhead

trailhead hiking / walking
6.5 mile out and back slot canyon in the Swell

Notes

    • Not as much fun as the other slots in the area, but still a pleasant day's outing
    • Petrified wood can be found in the wash
    • Access road is dirt; avoid when wet, best with high clearance

#12.Little Wildhorse Canyon and Bell Canyon loop hike trailhead

trailhead hiking / walking
Fun loop hike through 2 fairly easy slot canyons

Notes

    • 8 miles rt
    • Road to trail head is paved
    • Can find petrified wood along the road between the canyons
  • You can find petrified wood on the road between the canyons. It is across the road from some large boulders, in this area.

#13.Ding and Dang Slot Canyons Trailhead

trailhead hiking / walking

Notes

    • Need a high clearance vehicle to get to the trailhead
    • About 5 miles rt
    • Dang is more technical; better to go down it - there are a few ~10 ft drops that may require a rope or webbing (we found that webbing had already been installed, and were able to use it - but if it hadn't been there, I would have wanted my own to help us make it down).
    • Can have deep water in it, sometimes you can stem over it

#14.Goblin Valley State Park

campground park geologic feature hiking / walking
One of our favorite state parks! Enjoy wandering among the goblins (hoodoos).

Notes

  • There's wifi at the visitor center, but otherwise no cell coverage.
  • The park campground is excellent (especially if your site is in the shade in the afternoon), but is usually booked. If you can't get a spot in the campground, there is ample dispersed camping in the park and in surrounding areas, as well as nearby BLM campgrounds.

#15.Goblin's Lair Trailhead

trailhead hiking / walking
Provides access to an interesting cave

#16.Great Gallery of Horseshoe Canyon Trailhead

trailhead rock art hiking / walking
8 mile rt hike to a large, well preserved pictograph panel

Notes

    • This hike is remote and requires many miles of driving on dirt roads. 
    • Best with a high clearance vehicle; avoid when wet
    • Enter from the Hanksville side (better roads).

#17.Skyline rim overlook

geologic feature scenic drive
Incredible view of a grey desert moonscape

Notes

  • Requires a high clearance vehicle

#18.Rockin Riddle Rock Shop

want to go shop rockhounding
Wonderful rock shop in Hanksville; can provide info on regional rockhounding

#19.Stan's Burger Shak

restaurant
Burgers, fries, and THICK shakes.

Notes

  • Roughly 75% of the time we pass through Hanksville, we've been craving burger, fries, and a milkshake from Stan's.

#20.Capitol Reef National Park (northern section)

want to go park visitor center hiking / walking
Northern Capitol Reef offers many fun hikes

Notes

  • Some fun sights/hikes include:
    • Navajo Knobs hike
    • The Behunin cabin (off the main road) - it is especially striking around sunset
    • Sulphur creek looks interesting as well
    • Fern's nipple (class 3/4 scramble) is on my list

#21.Fish Creek Rock Art Panel and Waterfall

want to go trailhead rock art waterfall hiking / walking
Excellent pictograph panel and hike to a small waterfall

Notes

    • Excellent rock art panel. Continue on the scenic trail toward a waterfall within a canyon. 
    • Find the panel here.
    • The waterfall is here.

#22.Moonhouse Ruins trailhead

trailhead rock art hiking / walking