Bentonite Hills

Colorful gray and maroon, smooth rounded hills, with blue sky and a road.

The Bentonite Hills display softly-contoured, banded ridges in shades of gray, red, purple, maroon, brown, and green—layers within the Jurassic Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation. These ancient mudstones were deposited as mud, silt, fine sand, and volcanic ash in warm, shallow lakes and swamps approximately 150 million years ago. The distinctive popcorn-like surface texture results from bentonite clay (altered volcanic ash) repeatedly absorbing water, swelling, and then cracking as it dries—a weathering process still active today. Access requires high-clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicles via Hartnet Road, and the fragile surface is easily damaged; every footprint and tire track leaves scars that take years to heal.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 38.36109,-111.12776
Accessibility: Accessible only by high-clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicles via Hartnet Road. Unpaved dirt surface. Road becomes impassable when wet. No wheelchair access. No developed trails. Cross-country travel not recommended due to fragile, easily-scarred surface.

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Cathedral Valley, Fluted Wall Viewpoint, Navajo Dome Viewpoint, Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon, Capitol Reef National Park's Scenic Drive, Waterpocket District
Nearby Facilities: None at the Bentonite Hills. Nearest facilities (visitor center, restrooms, water, supplies, lodging) are at Capitol Reef Visitor Center or in Torrey, Utah.
Best Time To Visit: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer ideal combinations of reliable road access, comfortable temperatures, and excellent photography light. Summer heat is intense and afternoon thunderstorms frequently render clay roads impassable. Winter is generally passable but less reliable after snow.
Tips Advice: Call 435-425-3791 (press 1 for information, then 4 for road conditions) before visiting—access is highly weather-dependent.
Roads become impassable when wet; bentonite clay turns extremely gummy and slippery. Always check the weather forecast.
High-clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicle required; standard vehicles risk getting stuck or damaged.
Drive slowly to minimize dust and preserve the fragile clay surface.
Bring plenty of water and supplies; no services are available.
Stay on the main road; footprints and tire tracks scar the surface for years.
Visit early morning or late afternoon for best photography light and cooler temperatures.
Insider Tips: The colored banding is most vivid on clear days; haze and cloud cover diminish the visual impact.
Visit during cooler hours—early morning or late afternoon. Midday summer heat is intense.
Bring a high-clearance 4WD vehicle with good ground clearance. Ensure AC is working.
Tires and undercarriage can be damaged on rocky clay terrain; inspect vehicle before and after.
Stay strictly on the main road—tire tracks become visible scars for years.
Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a full tank of fuel; no services nearby.
The popcorn-like surface texture is most apparent up close; stop frequently to observe details.
Visit in spring or fall for optimal conditions and photography light.
Arrive before sunset; navigation is difficult in low light on unmarked roads.

More details

Park Area: Cathedral Valley
Family Friendly Notes: Remote location with no services, restrooms, or emergency infrastructure. Requires high-clearance vehicle and careful driving. Children must stay on or very near the main road at all times—no wandering off-road. Bring ample water and snacks; summer heat is intense. Not recommended for very young children, elderly visitors with mobility challenges, or anyone uncomfortable driving in remote, undeveloped areas without cell service.
Attraction Type: Geological Formation
Elevation Feet: 5500
Accessibility Level: High-clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicle required
How To Get There: From the Capitol Reef park area, head north toward Cathedral Valley. Take Hartnet Road, which branches from the main park access routes and leads directly through the Bentonite Hills. The location is outside the main park boundary on Bureau of Land Management land.
Road Type: Dirt/Gravel
Seasonal Access: Typically accessible year-round, but road conditions are highly weather-dependent. Roads become impassable during and after rain until they dry completely. Access is most reliable in spring and fall. Call ahead for current conditions.
Entry Fees: No fee required—the Bentonite Hills are located on Bureau of Land Management land outside Capitol Reef's park boundary. However, accessing via Hartnet Road may require Capitol Reef entrance fee ($20 per private vehicle, valid 7 days).
Main Features: Softly rounded, multicolored banded hills in shades of gray, red, purple, maroon, brown, and green. Composed of Brushy Basin shale member of the Morrison Formation from the Jurassic period.
What Youll See: Softly-contoured, banded hills with visible color gradations in gray, red, purple, maroon, brown, and green. The distinctive popcorn-like surface texture created by bentonite clay (altered volcanic ash) expanding and contracting through water-absorption cycles.
Unique Characteristics: Composed entirely of bentonite clay (altered Jurassic volcanic ash) from the Morrison Formation. The distinctive fine popcorn-like surface texture develops from ongoing cycles of clay absorbing water, swelling, and then cracking as it dries. This weathering process is geologically active today.
Safety Considerations: Bentonite clay becomes extremely slick and gummy when wet—travel becomes difficult or impossible. Roads are impassable during and after rain. Never venture off the main road; the surface is easily damaged and scars take years to heal. High-clearance vehicles only. No services or emergency help nearby. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. Call 435-425-3791 before visiting for current road conditions.
Best Viewpoints: Drive along Hartnet Road through the heart of the Bentonite Hills for continuous panoramic views. Pullouts along the road provide vantage points for observing the surrounding colored badlands and capturing the full sweep of colors.
Photo Opportunities: Early morning or late afternoon golden-hour light enhances the subtle color gradations and surface texture. Wide-angle compositions capture the full sweep of colored ridges. Clear blue skies amplify the hues; cloudy conditions mute them. Include sky above badlands for scale.
Photography Spots: The entire drive along Hartnet Road offers photography opportunities. Best compositions emphasize the color gradations across the face of the hills. Golden hour (sunrise/sunset) brings out subtle colors and surface texture details.
Stargazing Quality: Excellent; the remote location with minimal light pollution offers dark skies suitable for stargazing and astrophotography.
Sunrise Sunset Quality: Excellent; the colorful hills are especially striking during golden hour when low-angle light brings out color gradations and surface texture details.
Visitor Center Present: 0
Restrooms Available: 0
Picnic Areas: 0
Interpretive Signs: 0
Cell Service: Unreliable or unavailable; the remote location has limited cellular coverage. Do not rely on cell service for emergencies.
Water Available: 0
Guided Tours Available: 0
Trailheads Here: None; there are no official trails through the Bentonite Hills. The site is accessed via scenic drive only.
Connecting Trails: No trails connect to the Bentonite Hills. The site is accessed via scenic drive only.
Nearby Services: None at the location. Nearest services (food, lodging, fuel, supplies) are in Torrey, Utah. Capitol Reef Visitor Center provides information and restrooms.
Common Wildlife: Unknown; remote location with sparse vegetation and harsh clay terrain supports limited visible wildlife.
Geological Formation Type: Bentonite-shale badlands
Scientific Interest: Visible Jurassic Morrison Formation (Brushy Basin shale member) represents ancient depositional environment—mud, silt, sand, and volcanic ash deposited in warm lakes and swamps approximately 150 million years ago. Bentonite clay (altered volcanic ash) provides mineralogical insight into past volcanism and hydrothermal alteration. Active weathering process visible: clay swelling and cracking cycles create distinctive surface texture and demonstrate ongoing erosion and landscape modification.
Road Opening Dates: No formal plow schedule; roads open and close based on weather conditions. Check current conditions by phone (435-425-3791, press 1 then 4) before visiting.
Snow Lingering: Rare; high desert location receives minimal snow accumulation. When snow falls, it typically melts within days.
Winter Access: Generally accessible in winter, but snow or ice can temporarily close roads. High-clearance 4WD remains essential. Check conditions before visiting.
Best Visit Times: Early morning or late afternoon for photography and cooler temperatures. Weekdays may offer quieter driving conditions.
Best Season: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer ideal combinations of reliable road access, comfortable temperatures, and excellent photography conditions.
Weather Patterns: Afternoon thunderstorms common in summer. Flash flood risk in washes. Bentonite roads become impassable when wet. High winds can occur. Check weather forecast before visiting.
Busiest Season: Summer months (June-August), though this remote location never experiences heavy crowds.
Fishing Nearby: 0
Swimming Allowed: 0
Boating Allowed: 0
Climbing Areas: 0
Review Summary: Visitors appreciate the unique geological colors and remote setting. Experiences are largely positive for those adequately prepared with high-clearance vehicles and supplies. Road conditions are the primary concern; wet weather can unexpectedly close access. The fragile surface and complete lack of services require self-sufficiency and advance planning.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a 4-wheel-drive vehicle?

Yes. High clearance 4-wheel drive is usually necessary to access the Bentonite Hills via Hartnet Road. Standard vehicles risk getting stuck or damaged.

Are the roads really impassable when wet?

Yes. Bentonite clay becomes extremely slick and gummy when wet. Roads are impassable during and after rain until they dry completely.

Can I hike around freely?

No. There are no official trails. Stay on the main road to protect the fragile surface—footprints and tire tracks leave scars that take years to heal.

Do I need a permit?

No permit is required. The Bentonite Hills are located on Bureau of Land Management land outside Capitol Reef's park boundary.

What if the road is closed when I arrive?

Call 435-425-3791 (press 1 for information, then 4 for road conditions) before your visit to confirm access.

Is there cell service?

Cell service is unreliable or unavailable in this remote area. Don't rely on it for emergencies. Tell someone your travel plans before visiting.