I mean, don’t we all kind of wish we could escape to Mars right now?
Trekking around rust-colored landscapes, geologic formations, and geothermal activity can create an uncanny feeling of being transported to another planet. And lately, after being pummeled with a steady stream of negative news, I’ve heard a lot of people saying they’d like to escape Earth.
So here’s your risk-free eject button: You can explore these out-of-this-world places without actually giving up your spot on this planet (and without even leaving your seat)—no rose-colored glasses required.
Top Picks for You
Arizona
The Grand Canyon is a given but it’s certainly not the only place you’ll find rust-colored rock formations. Hike—and, in some spots, scramble—up to Devil’s Bridge in Sedona or take a Navajo-guided jeep tour in the presence of massive sandstone buttes at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (also known as Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, the Navajo name meaning “Valley of the Rocks”), a preserve that straddles the Arizona and Utah border. Or, if you’d like to take your time traveling through otherworldly stone-scapes, consider trekking the 800-mile Arizona Trail—the northern terminus is a red rock slot canyon hot spot within close proximity to Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes, The Wave, and other famous formations.
Insider Tip It’s important to remember that you are likely walking on storied and sacred lands. Here, you can gain a deeper understanding of the local legends, culture, and land from Native American guides, storytellers, and educators. There’s an intriguing petroglyph panel on the Hopi Reservation. Contact the Hopi Tribal Historic Office for more information and permission to visit it.
Australia
Australia’s outback is arguably one of the best places on the planet to experience out-of-this-world erubescent landscapes. And the abundance of Great Walks means you’ll be spoiled for choice. Go glamping on an Arkaba Walk through the sandstone bluffs of Flinders Ranges with Wild Bush Luxury. Hit some of the Northern Territory’s “Red Centre” sepia-hued highlights such as Simpson’s Gap on the Larapinta Trail. Or book a guided walking tour around the base of Uluru and learn from local Anangu Aboriginal people about the significance of this iconic and sacred sandstone formation.
For those interested in experiencing the crimson and coral-colored outback but are unable to hike, consider booking a tour by plane or train. Take flight with Chinta Tours over Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Range. Or cruise the length of the country with a romantic ride aboard the Ghan Train that includes off-train excursions at scarlet-y sites such as Uluru, Nitmiluk Gorge, and the quirky underground town, Coober Pedy.
Chile
Experience a bit of heaven—and Mars—on Earth with a visit to the Atacama Desert. Sandboard the dunes near the weathered Salt Mountains of Death Valley, also known as the “Valley of Mars” for their color and crag variations, by day. And escape into the stars by night; the lack of light and generally dry, clear skies create stellar conditions for stargazing in the Atacama Desert. You can stay immersed in the Atacama even when you return to your room at the Tierra Atacama, a family-owned and run boutique lodge inspired by and built in harmony with its natural surrounds.
Insider Tip Elqui Valley on the southern edge of the Atacama Desert is where verdant vineyards meet rough-and-tumble mountains. It’s also the world’s first site to be declared an International Dark Sky so you can have your starry nights with a side of ruby-red syrah.
Ethiopia
Active volcanoes, hot springs, sulfur formations, salt-encrusted basins, and lava flows make for some very colorful, alien-esque scenery in northeastern Ethiopia. The Danakil Depression has an otherworldly beauty unlike any other. As numerous ancient fossils have been found in the region, this area of Ethiopia is believed by some to be the “cradle of humanity.” It’s also the hottest place on the planet, so you might not want to stay too long. Both Kirban Tours Ethiopia and Wild Frontiers can arrange group or private excursions to the Danakil Depression combined with other cultural and historical activities in Ethiopia.
Iceland
The Land of Fire and Ice has numerous flame-red landscapes and rock formations to explore. On Reykjanes Peninsula, geothermal activity has created the steam vents and mud pools of Gunnuhver and Krýsuvík that you can reach by car from Reykjavik. Join Hidden Iceland’s Lava Tunnel tour to explore the Reykjanes Peninsula geothermal fields and then journey inside Raufarhólshellir, a ruddy lava tube that was still red hot when air rushed in and rusted the rock. Over in East Iceland, a hike to Hengifoss waterfall reveals red layers in the lava strata.
Insider Tip Following the new Diamond Circle route in North Iceland can also lead you to some bubbling, copper-colored scenescapes such as the Námafjall Geothermal Area. And where there is geothermal activity, there are often hot springs nearby. Combine your otherworldly wanderings with a dip in Mývatn Nature Baths (bonus points if you catch the Northern Lights) or, if you’re a lover of wildlife, add a whale watching tour near Húsavík.
Jordan
Matt Damon went to Mars on Earth and you can, too. The Martian movie was filmed in Wadi Rum, Jordan’s protected desert preserve of sweeping dunes punctuated by majestic pink sandstone rock formations. Explore on foot to get a true sense of the immensity, but do bring along a local guide or book an organized tour—it’s easy to lose your bearings and sense of time and distance in this vast space.
New desert camps in Wadi Rum are rapidly popping up and established ones are expanding. Jordan’s growing popularity may mean the days of escaping into the desert for solitude are dwindling. You can still get a deeper experience in the desert by choosing your tour operator wisely (hint: look for an operator that cares about the natural environment and culture, such as Experience Jordan and Engaging Cultures), wild camping in a more remote area with Discover Jordan, and arranging unique activities with local experts such as an astrotourism journey, rock climbing with TREKS, or a female-focused trip with Intrepid Travel.
South Dakota
Badlands National Park in South Dakota was originally named “Mako Sica,” meaning “bad land” in Lakota. While the terrain was no doubt difficult to traverse in the past, the scenery is all good: pinnacles, buttes, canyons, and mounds in shades of red, yellow, grey, and green. Created by a sea that spanned the Great Plains more than 60 million years ago, the Badlands is one of the richest fossils beds in the world and is now home to bison and bighorn sheep. Visitors can bike, hike, and climb through the rich geologic history and extraterrestrial-seeming scenery.
Utah
Films of the Wild West, space exploration, and, yes, Forrest Gump have made Utah’s red rocks their backdrop. But seeing them on the big screen is nothing like IRL. There are so many slot canyons and red rockin’ wonders, it’s a challenge to choose. San Juan County—Utah’s Canyon Country—is a great place to start. The banded spires of the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park in San Juan County create a distinctly striking scene. Author Edward Abbey called Canyonlands “the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth.” He’s not wrong. Bryce Canyon National Park is another Utah favorite, famous for its amphitheaters of multi-colored hoodoos. Or head for The Toadstools—mushroom-shaped, martian-looking sandstone formations that are easily accessed by a short hike (just over 1.5 miles round trip) from Highway 89.
Insider Tip If you’d prefer to avoid the crowds at Monument Valley, you might prefer a quiet escape to Valley of the Gods. Or pay a visit to a popular site in the offseason: snow adds a dusting of magic to the hoodoos at Bryce Canyon and you won’t have to share the Peek-a-Boo Trail with the summer crowds.
