BUTTES, BADLANDS, DARK SKIES & A DRONE WONDERLAND

The area around Hanksville is home to some of Utah’s most unusual, geologically diverse, and visually stunning locations. This region includes Factory Butte, Moonscape Overlook, the Spire, Bentonite Hills, the Mars Research area, Cathedral Valley, Goblin State Park, Temple of the Moon, and Temple of the Sun. For a drone photographer, this area features some of the best drone opportunities in the American Southwest.

The Hanksville area, known for its dark skies and unique landscapes, is an excellent location for photographing the Milky Way. Our itinerary includes photography opportunities at Moonscape Overlook, Factory Butte, Temple of the Sun, and Hickman Bridge.

Join us for an exciting five-day, four-night photography workshop in the Hanksville area. This workshop will primarily focus on drone and Milky Way photography as we explore the striking buttes, surreal badlands, and breathtaking sandstone monoliths in the area. Additionally, we will photograph stunning landscapes such as Moonscape Overlook, Factory Butte, and the Spire.

Please note that participants without a drone will not gain the full benefits of this workshop, as many of the locations will only involve drone photography.

Spring is a great time to photograph the Milky Way around Hanksville, with moderate temperatures and the Galactic Core is visible for several hours each morning leading into sunrise.

Your Workshop Guides

Workshop cost is $3,000 (PTN members get a $200 discount); lodging and meals included.

(PTN DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED TO THE FINAL PAYMENT)

BY BOOKING THIS TOUR, YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS & CONDITIONS: CLICK HERE & READ BEFORE SIGNING UP.

Sign Me Up

Pricing (all prices are per person)

$3,000 - THE WORKSHOP INCLUDES - 5 DAYS AND 4 NIGHTS WITH INDIVIDUAL ROOMS, PARK FEES, AND ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED.

THE WORKSHOP ENDS AT 10 Am ON wednesday, APRIL 7TH.

Lodging

EACH WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT WILL HAVE THEIR OWN HOTEL ROOM (SINGLE OCCUPANCY) at the whispering Sands Motel.

Whispering Sands Motel

Payment Terms

TO SECURE YOUR SPOT IN THIS WORKSHOP, A (NON-REFUNDABLE) DEPOSIT OF $750 IS REQUIRED, WITH THE REMAINING BALANCE DUE BY January 2, 2027.

ALL STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

CANCELLATIONS MADE BEFORE 90 DAYS WILL RECEIVE A FULL REFUND (MINUS THE $750 DEPOSIT).
CANCELLATIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE WORKSHOP ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. HOWEVER, IF WE CAN FILL THE VACANCY, THE PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE A FULL REFUND MINUS THE $750 DEPOSIT.
TRAVEL INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

Starlink

WORKSHOP LEADER WILL HAVE STARLINK WIFI ALLOWING YOU TO ACCESS THE INTERNET TO COMMUNICATE VIA TEXT MESSAGES, E-MAIL, VIDEO CALLS, AND INTERNET PHONE CALLS WHILE ON THE WORKSHOP.

What is Included:

INDIVIDUAL ROOMS (SINGLE OCCUPANCY), EACH NIGHT.
ALL MEALS, WATER, NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS, AND SNACKS WILL BE PROVIDED DURING THE WORKSHOP.
ALL PARK ENTRANCE FEES.
PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE FROM A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER.
EXPECT CAMARADERIE, ADVENTURE, STUNNING SCENERY, AND AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE!

Not Included:

Air Travel and UNSCHEDULED airport transfers
RENTAL CAR
TRAVEL TO AND FROM YOUR DESTINATION TO THE WORKSHOP MEETING PLACE
PASSPORT AND VISA FEES (IF APPLICABLE)
ANY MEALS OR ACCOMMODATIONS BEFORE OR AFTER THE WORKSHOP DATES
ITEMS OF A PERSONAL NATURE
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
TRIP INSURANCE
ANYTHING ELSE NOT EXPLICITLY LISTED AS INCLUDED

Transportation:

THE WORKSHOP WILL START AND END IN Hanksville, UT.
THE CLOSEST AIRPORT IS GRAND JUNCTION AIRPORT (GJT) - about 2 hours and 30 Minutes to Hanksville. Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) is another option and is approximately 3 hours and 45 Minutes from Hanksville.
participants will be asked to drive their own vehicles or carpool with others.
FOR THE WORKSHOP, ALL ROADS ARE EITHER PAVED, WELL-MAINTAINED DIRT OR GRAVEL ROADS WITH WASHBOARDS. A FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLE IS NOT MANDATORY. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A HIGHER-CLEARANCE VEHICLE WITH GOOD OFF-ROAD TIRES.
suggested rental cars - a vehicle with high clearance. The most important factor is having good tires!

Itinerary Changes

The weather in the Hanksville area can be unpredictable, and storms may occasionally lead to road closures, making it difficult or impossible to access certain locations. If a weather situation occurs or if a road or location is closed, we may need to alter some or all of our published itinerary.

Fitness

MODERATE: HIKING TO LOCATIONS IS LIMITED. ONE LOCATION WE MAY GO TO WOULD REQUIRE HIKING FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES OVER UNEVEN GROUND AND SAND WITH A MODERATE ELEVATION GAIN

What to Bring

We will send you a detailed information document 60 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear, clothing recommendations, and more.

Sign Me Up

Hanksville Drone and Milky Way workshop

April 2 - 7, 2027

BUTTES, BADLANDS, DARK SKIES & A DRONE WONDERLAND

The Hanksville area, known for its dark skies and unique landscapes, is an excellent location for photographing the Milky Way. Our itinerary includes photography opportunities at Moonscape Overlook, Factory Butte, Temple of the Sun, and Hickman Bridge.

Please note that participants without a drone will not gain the full benefits of this workshop, as many of the locations will only involve drone photography.

Spring is a great time to photograph the Milky Way around Hanksville, with moderate temperatures and the Galactic Core is visible for several hours each morning leading into sunrise.

Your Workshop Guides

Workshop cost is $3,000 (PTN members get a $200 discount); lodging and meals included.

(PTN DISCOUNT WILL BE APPLIED TO THE FINAL PAYMENT)

BY BOOKING THIS TOUR, YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS & CONDITIONS: CLICK HERE & READ BEFORE SIGNING UP.

Pricing (all prices are per person)

$3,000 - THE WORKSHOP INCLUDES - 5 DAYS AND 4 NIGHTS WITH INDIVIDUAL ROOMS, PARK FEES, AND ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED.

THE WORKSHOP ENDS AT 10 Am ON wednesday, APRIL 7TH.

Lodging

EACH WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT WILL HAVE THEIR OWN HOTEL ROOM (SINGLE OCCUPANCY) at the whispering Sands Motel.

Whispering Sands Motel

Payment Terms

TO SECURE YOUR SPOT IN THIS WORKSHOP, A (NON-REFUNDABLE) DEPOSIT OF $750 IS REQUIRED, WITH THE REMAINING BALANCE DUE BY January 2, 2027.

ALL STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

CANCELLATIONS MADE BEFORE 90 DAYS WILL RECEIVE A FULL REFUND (MINUS THE $750 DEPOSIT).

CANCELLATIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE WORKSHOP ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. HOWEVER, IF WE CAN FILL THE VACANCY, THE PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE A FULL REFUND MINUS THE $750 DEPOSIT.

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

Starlink

WORKSHOP LEADER WILL HAVE STARLINK WIFI ALLOWING YOU TO ACCESS THE INTERNET TO COMMUNICATE VIA TEXT MESSAGES, E-MAIL, VIDEO CALLS, AND INTERNET PHONE CALLS WHILE ON THE WORKSHOP.

What is Included:

INDIVIDUAL ROOMS (SINGLE OCCUPANCY), EACH NIGHT.

ALL MEALS, WATER, NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS, AND SNACKS WILL BE PROVIDED DURING THE WORKSHOP.

ALL PARK ENTRANCE FEES.

PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE FROM A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER.

EXPECT CAMARADERIE, ADVENTURE, STUNNING SCENERY, AND AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE!

Not Included:

Air Travel and UNSCHEDULED airport transfers

RENTAL CAR

TRAVEL TO AND FROM YOUR DESTINATION TO THE WORKSHOP MEETING PLACE

PASSPORT AND VISA FEES (IF APPLICABLE)

ANY MEALS OR ACCOMMODATIONS BEFORE OR AFTER THE WORKSHOP DATES

ITEMS OF A PERSONAL NATURE

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

TRIP INSURANCE

ANYTHING ELSE NOT EXPLICITLY LISTED AS INCLUDED

Transportation:

THE WORKSHOP WILL START AND END IN Hanksville, UT.

THE CLOSEST AIRPORT IS GRAND JUNCTION AIRPORT (GJT) - about 2 hours and 30 Minutes to Hanksville. Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) is another option and is approximately 3 hours and 45 Minutes from Hanksville.

participants will be asked to drive their own vehicles or carpool with others.

FOR THE WORKSHOP, ALL ROADS ARE EITHER PAVED, WELL-MAINTAINED DIRT OR GRAVEL ROADS WITH WASHBOARDS. A FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLE IS NOT MANDATORY. IT IS RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A HIGHER-CLEARANCE VEHICLE WITH GOOD OFF-ROAD TIRES.

suggested rental cars - a vehicle with high clearance. The most important factor is having good tires!

Itinerary Changes

The weather in the Hanksville area can be unpredictable, and storms may occasionally lead to road closures, making it difficult or impossible to access certain locations. If a weather situation occurs or if a road or location is closed, we may need to alter some or all of our published itinerary.

Fitness

MODERATE: HIKING TO LOCATIONS IS LIMITED. ONE LOCATION WE MAY GO TO WOULD REQUIRE HIKING FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES OVER UNEVEN GROUND AND SAND WITH A MODERATE ELEVATION GAIN

What to Bring

We will send you a detailed information document 60 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear, clothing recommendations, and more.

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