Factory Butte Recreation Area, Utah

 

Factory Butte Recreation Area, Utah, USA

 

 

Factory Butte (Wayne County, Utah)

 

Factory Butte in Wayne County, Utah, is a 6,302-foot (1,921 m) summit in the Upper Blue Hills in northern Wayne County, Utah, United States, about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Hanksville and about 14 miles (23 km) east of Capitol Reef National Park boundary.

 

The butte was so named by early settlers who thought its outline resembled a huge factory building, the Provo woolen mill in particular.

Scenery_north_of_Hanksville,_Utah

Landscape, with Factory Butte in the distance, September 2008

 

Description

Factory Butte in Emery County, Utah, lies a mere 15 miles (24 km) to the west-northwest. The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin described it as a "Monolith that towers over the San Rafael Desert and harbors pockets of protected cacti". The Bureau of Land Management controls the area, and they describe it by saying it is a popular recreation site for motor vehicles. It is also a place to view wildflowers, and tourists also stop at Factory Butte to photograph blooming cacti and desert flowers.

 

 

 

 

Factory Butte Recreation Area, Utah

 

Inspired by rock domes that resemble the US Capitol, Capitol Reef National Park's name isn't the only architecturally themed one in these parts. About 14 miles east of the park border rises Factory Butte, named after a far less famous landmark: the large woolen mill in distant Provo. Now the mill is long gone, but these Utah badlands are still quite the fun factory: Rippling ridges and valleys make the Factory Butte Recreation Area a legendary destination for off-roaders.

 

 

Factory Butte Recreation Area is a popular outdoor recreation site in Utah that's known for its scenic badlands and a variety of activities: 

 

• OHV riding: The area is known for its OHV areas, including OHV jumping and riding. The 5,300-acre Factory Butte OHV Open Area is open to motorized cross-country travel. 
• Motorcycling: The area is popular for motorcycling.
• Passenger car touring: The area is popular for passenger car touring.
• Wildflower viewing: The area is a popular spot for viewing wildflowers. 
• Photographing desert flowers and cacti: The area is a popular spot for photographing desert flowers and cacti.
• Hiking: You can hike out to the mysterious spire rock formation known as "Long Dong Silver". The trek is about an hour of round-trip walking. 

Other features of the area include:

A restroom, Interpretive kiosks, A campground, Day use, Permits, Points of interest, Recreation areas, Tours, and Venues. 

 

 

Factory Butte is located 12 miles west of Hanksville on State Route 24, just east of Capitol Reef National Park. The area is controlled by the Bureau of Land Management (.gov).