The United States is home to a variety of landscapes so unusual, they seem to belong to another planet. From vibrant deserts with towering rock formations to mysterious forests that look straight out of a fairy tale, these places offer an opportunity to experience nature in ways you’ve never imagined. Many of these destinations are often overlooked, but they have a unique charm that draws curious travelers seeking adventure and exploration. Whether it’s the striking colors of the Badlands, the otherworldly rock spires of Bryce Canyon, or the eerie silence of California’s Mono Lake, these spots offer the feeling of being far from Earth’s usual landscapes.
For those looking to escape the ordinary and step into an environment unlike any other, here are 13 incredible U.S. locations that feel as though they belong on a different planet. These locations are perfect for anyone seeking an experience that goes beyond the typical tourist destinations. Pack your camera, prepare to be amazed, and get ready for a trip that takes you to places that are truly out of this world!
Craters of the Moon National Monument (Idaho)
This vast landscape in central Idaho looks less like part of Earth and more like a volcanic moon. Jagged black lava fields stretch for miles, broken only by splatter cones, deep fissures, and surreal rock formations. The terrain was formed by ancient eruptions that left behind a harsh, frozen scene of basalt and ash. Walking across it feels isolated, quiet, and slightly disorienting. Plant life is sparse, and the surface crunches underfoot like brittle glass. It's not hard to see why NASA once used this area to train astronauts—it mimics lunar geology in a way few places can.
White Sands National Park (New Mexico)
White Sands is a surreal desert of fine gypsum crystals that stretch for hundreds of square miles in southern New Mexico. Unlike regular sand, these dunes are blindingly white and cool to the touch, even in heat. The rolling hills shift with the wind, creating ever-changing patterns that seem untouched and still. Under sunlight, the dunes reflect so brightly they resemble snowbanks; under moonlight, they look spectral and endless. The horizon melts into itself, and the silence is deep enough to feel suspended in space. It's a place where scale and texture distort the usual sense of direction and time.
Mono Lake (California)
Mono Lake’s waters are ancient, saline, and alkaline—so mineral-rich that almost nothing lives in them except brine shrimp and algae. What truly sets this place apart are the tufa towers: strange limestone spires that rise from the lakebed, shaped by decades of underwater formation before human diversion lowered the water levels. The lake’s pale blue water contrasts sharply with the white towers and the desert hills behind them. The air smells faintly of salt, and the light at sunrise and sunset gives everything a surreal glow. The scene feels static and eerie, as if frozen in geological time.
Antelope Canyon (Arizona)
Hidden within the desert near Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is a narrow slot canyon carved by flash floods and wind. Its walls twist and ripple with smooth, layered sandstone that glows in shades of amber, red, and purple depending on the light. Walking through the narrow corridors feels like moving through a sculpture. Shafts of sunlight break through the cracks above, illuminating the curves and casting soft reflections. The air feels cool and still, echoing only the footsteps of those inside. Every angle creates a new visual texture, and the scale feels both intimate and larger than expected.
Badlands National Park (South Dakota)
The Badlands are a jagged expanse of striped rock formations, deep ravines, and sharply eroded buttes that stretch across the South Dakota prairie. Layers of sedimentary rock reveal colors that change with the sun—pinks, grays, and ochres shaped by time and wind. The terrain feels harsh and vast, with little vegetation and expansive views in all directions. Fossils of ancient mammals have been found here, adding to the park's prehistoric feeling. Hikes lead you through narrow passages and up rocky ridges, where silence is broken only by the wind. It’s a landscape that looks like it belongs to another planet.
Bonneville Salt Flats (Utah)
The Bonneville Salt Flats stretch across over 30,000 acres of flat, reflective salt crust in northwestern Utah. After a rain, the surface turns mirror-like, blurring the line between earth and sky. When dry, it feels endless, with no vegetation and no sound except the crunch beneath your feet. The horizon bends in optical illusions, and distances are hard to judge. Used for high-speed car testing and surreal photo shoots, the flats can feel isolating and meditative. With the mountains in the distance and nothing but flat whiteness around, the landscape is stripped
The Wave (Arizona)
Tucked within the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness near the Arizona–Utah border, The Wave is a sandstone formation shaped by wind and water over millions of years. It’s known for its deep red and orange striations that swirl and stretch across curved, wave-like rock. The terrain is fragile, limited to a small number of visitors per day, and reached only by a rugged hike through open desert. Standing in The Wave feels disorienting—as if gravity has warped the ground. The scale is tight, the silence deep, and every curve creates a new abstract shape that looks more crafted than carved by nature.
Fly Geyser (Nevada)
Fly Geyser looks like it belongs on another planet, yet it bubbles away in the remote Nevada desert. Formed accidentally in the 1960s when a geothermal test hit a hot spring, the geyser now spews steaming water from mineral-covered spouts. Over time, the minerals built up into a surreal mound painted in green, red, and yellow by algae and mineral deposits. It’s surrounded by shallow pools and terraces that shimmer with color. Though not open for casual visits, guided access allows travelers to witness its vivid hues and steaming vents—making it one of the strangest sights in the American West.
Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado)
Want to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later when you're planning your trip!
Set against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Great Sand Dunes rise up to 750 feet tall—the tallest in North America. Climbing them feels more like trekking across a desert than walking in Colorado. The dunes constantly shift and reshape under strong winds, creating patterns and ridges that move beneath your feet. From the top, views stretch across a wide basin and snow-capped peaks. Visitors often hike or sandboard, but the real drama comes at dawn or dusk, when shadows exaggerate the shapes and the sand takes on gold, bronze, and blue tones.
Lava Beds National Monument (California)
This lesser-known park in northern California contains a rugged field of hardened lava flows, caves, and tunnels formed by ancient eruptions. The ground is cracked, sharp, and dark—almost entirely black rock that absorbs sunlight and heat. Lava tubes run underground for miles, some accessible by foot with only a flashlight to guide the way. Inside the caves, the air drops sharply in temperature, and walls glisten with mineral deposits. Above ground, the landscape is harsh and quiet, broken only by scattered trees and volcanic cones. It’s a stark, alien place shaped entirely by fire and time.
Painted Hills (Oregon)
Part of the John Day Fossil Beds, the Painted Hills look like giant brushstrokes across the landscape. The layered earth shifts in color—from deep red to ochre, black, and gold—depending on light, moisture, and season. Each layer represents a different epoch, compressed into quiet waves of soil. Trails wind gently through the hills, but climbing is prohibited to preserve the fragile surface. Standing at the overlook, the terrain looks untouched and strange, more like a distant planet’s surface than high desert Oregon. Sunsets often turn the hills radiant, bringing out tones that appear almost artificial in their contrast.
Mauna Kea Summit (Hawai‘i)
Mauna Kea rises nearly 14,000 feet above sea level, and its summit—above the clouds—is one of the quietest, most remote-feeling places in the U.S. The air is thin, the sky is deep blue, and the volcanic ground is dusty and barren. Observatories dot the summit because of its atmospheric clarity, but few other signs of life remain. Sunsets and stargazing here are famous for their clarity and silence. Despite being in tropical Hawai‘i, the summit’s dry, high-altitude climate makes it feel closer to Mars than a Pacific island. The landscape is stark, stripped of color and sound.
Joshua Tree National Park (California)
Joshua Tree feels like a surreal crossroads between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. Giant boulders stack in gravity-defying formations, while spiky, twisted Joshua trees stretch skyward like alien sculptures. The sky is wide and blue by day, filled with stars at night. Trails weave through desert scrub, hidden canyons, and rock piles with names like Skull Rock or Hidden Valley. The light here changes everything—softening or sharpening the terrain depending on the time of day. It’s a place where silence holds steady, shapes feel exaggerated, and the landscape seems designed for another kind of world entirely.
Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada)
Just an hour from Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire glows with rock formations in red, pink, orange, and white. Formed from ancient sand dunes hardened over time, the sandstone here has been carved into arches, waves, and beehive-like domes. The rock seems to burn under sunlight—hence the name—and patterns in the stone look hand-drawn. Petroglyphs from Native cultures add another layer to the experience. Hiking through its canyons or standing amid the rock towers at golden hour feels like stepping into a forgotten place, far removed from the noise of modern life.
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness (New Mexico)
This remote desert in northwestern New Mexico hides a strange collection of rock formations called hoodoos, spires, and balanced stones. The colors are muted—grays, browns, and faded reds—but the shapes are anything but ordinary. Rocks look like spacecraft wreckage, petrified tree trunks, or otherworldly sculptures. Trails are unmarked, and GPS is recommended, adding to the sense of mystery. You might not see another person for hours. Fossils and erosion patterns tell stories going back millions of years. Walking through this quiet place, the wind and silence can feel like you’ve landed on another planet—and you're the only one there.
Your Ultimate Guide to Surreal U.S. Destinations
These 13 U.S. locations provide a rare glimpse of landscapes that feel disconnected from the familiar world. Whether it's the barren, alien-like terrain of the Badlands or the stunning natural sculptures of Bryce Canyon, these places offer travelers a unique adventure. The unusual beauty of these sites reminds us that Earth's wonders are diverse and boundless, and that true exploration often means stepping off the beaten path.
For anyone looking to witness the extraordinary, these locations are perfect for expanding horizons and making unforgettable memories. So, next time you plan a trip, consider venturing into one of these otherworldly spots, where nature’s artistry is on full display. Experience the fantastic landscapes and discover the magic waiting just beyond the ordinary.
11 U.S. Destinations That Actually Impress World Travelers
Looking for more US destinations? The United States may be known for its fast food chains and busy cities, but there’s more to it than common stereotypes. In fact, there are 11 U.S. destinations that actually impress world travelers—places that stand out not just to locals, but to those who have explored far beyond American borders. These spots earn genuine praise for their natural beauty, cultural richness, and experiences that rival top destinations around the globe.
Read More Here: 11 U.S. Destinations That Actually Impress World Travelers
12 Stunning Lake Towns in the U.S. That Are Perfect for Year-Round Living
Lake visits are always trips to look forward to. Imagine living near one! Living near the water can be a dream come true, and there are 12 stunning lake towns in the U.S. that are perfect for year-round living. These towns offer breathtaking views, a strong sense of community, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy throughout the seasons. From fishing and boating in the summer to cozying up by the fireplace in the winter, life by the lake provides a unique and fulfilling lifestyle.
Read More Here: 12 Stunning Lake Towns in the U.S. That Are Perfect for Year-Round Living
