USA Long Dong Silver

A tall, narrow rock formation rising from the desert near Hanksville, which feel almost otherworldly, like a landscape on the moon or another planet.

This spot works well with a wide-angle lens to include the surrounding badlands and give a sense of space. Sunset brings out soft tones and texture in the rock, while blue hour creates a calmer, more minimal look. Thanks to the remote location and low light pollution, it’s also a great place to photograph the Milky Way at night. Spring or fall offer the most pleasant and comfortable conditions for visiting this high-desert location.

Getting there: From Hanksville, the Long Dong Silver Spire is reached via remote dirt roads in the surrounding badlands. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, as the tracks can be rough and sandy. Conditions change quickly after rain, so avoid driving when wet. Navigation can be tricky — offline maps or GPS are helpful, and plan extra time for the approach.

Hiking / access: From the nearest pullouts along Utah State Route 24, it’s a short off-road walk into the badlands to reach Hanksville and the Long Dong Silver Spire. There is no official trail, so you simply navigate across open terrain and washes. Good shoes, water, and basic navigation are essential.

Alternative parking: A common and safer option is to park directly along Utah State Route 24 at a wide roadside pullout, then continue on foot from there. This avoids driving deeper into the rough dirt tracks and still gives relatively easy access to the formation.