Temple of the Moon
Temple of the moon
Cathedral Valley, UT
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - MODERATE TO CHALLENGING
I rate the difficulty of this trail as a 3 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The walk to the location of the shot is an easy 300 ft from the parking area. However, the 17.5-mile drive on the dirt road to get to the location is bumpy, sandy, and has plenty of slick rock and holes. I would not drive a car to this location and suggest a high clearance vehicle, if possible, a high clearance 4x4 vehicle - as there are several places where you drive through sand (sometimes a bit deep).
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
5,427 ft Elevation
Download KMZ Trail File
Click Here to download the KMZ file for this location.
Photography Tips
There are many ways to shoot the Temple of the Moon! It can be taken at sunrise, sunset or on an overcast day. - and it can be taken from the north, south or east.
The shot above was taken at sunrise from the north side. During the Fall, Winter and Spring, the sun will start to illuminate the Temple of the Sun about 10-15 minutes before it hits the Temple of the Moon. This will allow you to shoot both locations on the same morning as the locations of the shots are only about 300 yds and a few minutes away.
The shot above is a simple composition as you stand just on the side of the road about 300 yds south of the parking area by the glass mountain (10ft high mound of gypsum crystals). You can also walk south on the road toward the Temple of the Moon to place the top of the monolith between the humps on the back mountain.
Directions
From Hanksville - drive on UT-24 for 18.2 miles until you see the road to Cathedral Rd (on the right, just past the little town of Caineville). Once on Cathedral Rd, drive 16 miles and take the turn (left) on Temple of the Moon Rd.
Drive 1.2 miles and take the turn toward (slightly right) the GLASS MOUNTAIN (DON’T DRIVE TO THE TEMPLE OF THE MOON). Once you turn to the GLASS MOUNTAIN, you will drive about .3 of a mile and come to a turn-a-round. Park here and walk about 20 ft west (you will see a 10ft high mound of gypsum crystals - called the Glass Mountain). The location of the shot is just of the road about 300 ft south of the parking area for the glass mountain.
Google Earth
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 130mm
Exposure – 1/60 th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – Oct 24th
Time – 7:12 am
Best Time of Day to Shoot
The Temple of the Moon can be photographed at sunrise or sunset or on an overcast day.
The shot above was taken at 7:12 am (when the sunset was @ 6:43).
Best Time of Year
This location can be photographed at any time of year.
Lens(es) Needed
Depending where you stand and which composition you choose, the The Temple of the Moon can be photographed with lens ranging from 35mm to 200mm.
The image above was taken at 130mm.
Birds-Eye View From Google Earth Pro
Permits
The Temple of the Sun and much of the Cathedral Valley are located in the Capitol Reef National Park. As of the writing of the summary (Nov 2023), the entry fee ranges between $10 - $20 per vehicle. Once in the park, there are no other permits required.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of the shot is south at 190°.
Equipment Needed
From a photography standpoint - all you need for this shot is a sturdy tripod and a polarizing filter.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
This location is way off the beaten path but is a spectacular place to visit. You could see anywhere from nobody to 10 - 20 people.
Weather
The Cathedral Valley has a high desert climate at about 5,000 feet elevation. The temperatures can vary up to 30° - 40° a day. Spring and fall are nice, but summer can get into the high 90s.
Cell Service
There is NO cell service at this location. The only cell service available in the area is toward Hanksville or Torrey.
Lodging & Camping
As mentioned, Cathedral Valley is located in the Capitol Reef National Park - which does not allow dispersed camping. However, there are several pullouts back toward Caineville (just outside the border of Capitol Reef National Park. The closest lodging is in Caineville, Hanksville, or Torrey.
Nearby Restaurants
The Temple of the Sun is in the middle of nowhere. The closest Restaurants are in Hanksville or Torrey.
Area Guides and Workshops
Melvin Perc @ Meridan Tours 954-907-6259
Many areas around Hanksville are wonderful to photograph, but they can only be visited with a high-clearance vehicle. Several outfitters, guides, and tour companies take you to remote places for photography tours or overnight stays.
I have used Melvin Perc at Meridian Tours (954-907-6259) and really enjoy his knowledge of the area and time he takes to make sure your experience is first rate (NOTE: I have no relationship with Mel and pay full price when using him for tours).