There’s something about standing in a place so surreal it feels like you’ve left Earth behind. Jagged rocks twist toward the sky, glowing sands ripple like frozen waves and ancient canyons pulse with light.
You’re not just hiking — you’re exploring a world that defies logic. Every step pulls you further into the extraordinary, where time seems slower, colors are more vivid, and silence speaks louder than words.
Whether it’s the eerie beauty of volcanic landscapes or the shimmer of endless dunes, these trails will challenge what you thought was possible. Ready to see places that feel like another planet?
1. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through a glowing, surreal landscape, Antelope Canyon will leave you speechless. Nestled on Navajo land, this slot canyon is a masterpiece of nature’s design. As the sun moves across the sky, beams of light pour through narrow sandstone cracks, illuminating the walls in brilliant shades of orange, red, and purple. It feels like you’ve stumbled into a magical world straight out of a sci-fi movie.
The canyon’s twisting, wave-like walls were sculpted over thousands of years by flash floods. Every turn reveals a new perspective, with formations that resemble flowing water frozen in stone. Photographers flock here for the famous light beams that pierce through the canyon floor from March to October. However, even without those iconic beams, the canyon’s vibrant hues and dramatic textures make every visit unforgettable.
A local Navajo guide will often share stories of the canyon’s history and cultural significance. There’s something about walking through this sacred space, hearing ancient tales, and watching the light dance across the walls that makes it a spiritual experience. You may even feel a humbling connection to the land itself.
Essential Tips
- Best Months to Visit: March to October for the iconic light beams
- Difficulty: Easy (Guided tours required)
- Permits: Required, typically booked through a Navajo tour company
- Photography: Midday offers the best lighting for photos
- Additional Tip: Lower Antelope Canyon has steeper ladders and tighter passages, while Upper Antelope Canyon is more accessible
2. The Wave, Arizona
The Wave is the poster child of alien-like landscapes. This geological marvel, located in the Coyote Buttes North region of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, is a swirling expanse of sandstone in fiery shades of orange and red. It feels as though the ground has liquified and refrozen mid-motion, creating hypnotic patterns and curvaceous ridges.
This trail isn’t for the faint of heart. The hike is a moderate 6.4-mile round trip, with no marked paths. You’ll traverse the open desert, navigating by landmarks and GPS. But trust me, the challenge is worth it. When you first lay eyes on The Wave, it’s like stepping onto the surface of Mars. You’ll find yourself whispering, “Is this real?”
Permits are notoriously difficult to obtain, with a limited number awarded through a competitive lottery system. Winning one feels like hitting the jackpot. If you do, take your time — savor every ripple and curve of the rock. And bring plenty of water; the desert sun is relentless.
Essential Tips
- Best Months to Visit: Spring and fall for cooler temperatures
- Difficulty: Moderate (6.4 miles round trip)
- Permits: Required, awarded through a lottery system
- Photography: Early morning and late afternoon for best lighting
- Additional Tip: Download offline maps and bring a compass, as there’s no cell service
3. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Have you ever imagined walking through a forest of stone spires? Welcome to Bryce Canyon National Park, a place that could easily double as an alien city. The park’s iconic hoodoos — tall, thin rock formations — rise from the canyon floor in a variety of dazzling colors, ranging from soft pink to burnt orange. When the sun sets, the rocks seem to glow, adding to the park’s otherworldly atmosphere.
The best way to explore Bryce is to hike down into the canyon. Trails like the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden offer a close-up look at the hoodoos, winding through narrow passages and natural arches. The sense of scale is humbling, and you’ll often feel like a tiny traveler on an enormous planet.
Winter brings an extra layer of magic. A dusting of snow on the rust-colored formations is a sight straight from a dream. And if you’re lucky enough to visit during a clear night, Bryce Canyon is also a certified International Dark Sky Park, offering some of the best stargazing in the country.
Essential Tips
- Best Months to Visit: April to October for hiking, December to February for snow views
- Difficulty: Varies from easy to challenging trails
- Permits: Not required for day hikes
- Photography: Sunrise at Sunrise Point and sunset at Inspiration Point
- Additional Tip: Dress in layers; temperatures can fluctuate dramatically
4. Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho
Stepping into Craters of the Moon feels like walking on — well — the moon. This vast landscape of hardened lava fields, cinder cones, and volcanic craters stretches for miles, resembling a cosmic wasteland. The jagged black rocks and twisted lava formations make it hard to believe you’re still on Earth.
The park’s surreal beauty comes from ancient volcanic eruptions. The most recent was about 2,000 years ago, but the land remains largely untouched. Lava tubes, like natural tunnels formed by flowing magma, are a fascinating feature to explore. Bring a flashlight and venture into the eerie darkness for a true subterranean adventure.
Surprisingly, life still thrives here. Hardy plants and vibrant wildflowers manage to grow from cracks in the volcanic rock. It’s a resilient ecosystem that makes you marvel at nature’s tenacity.
Essential Tips
- Best Months to Visit: May to September
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate trails
- Permits: Not required for day use
- Photography: Sunset is ideal for dramatic silhouettes and glowing lava rock textures
- Additional Tip: Pack extra water and sturdy shoes; the sharp rocks can be tough on feet
5. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
The first time you see the Great Sand Dunes, you might wonder if you’ve been transported to a far-off desert planet. Towering up to 750 feet, these golden dunes are the tallest in North America, set against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It’s a sight that will stop you in your tracks.
Hiking here is a full-body workout. Each step sinks into the fine sand, making progress slow but rewarding. Some adventurous visitors try sandboarding or sledding down the slopes — it’s the closest thing to surfing on Mars. If you’re not up for that, hiking to the summit of Star Dune offers a breathtaking panoramic view.
In spring and early summer, Medano Creek flows at the base of the dunes, creating a surreal scene where people splash and float on water beneath the sand peaks. At night, the dunes become an astronomical wonderland, with the Milky Way stretching across the sky.
Essential Tips
- Best Months to Visit: May to September
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Permits: Not required for most day hikes
- Photography: Sunrise and sunset for dramatic shadows
- Additional Tip: Visit during a full moon for a magical night hike
6. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Picture a landscape where steam hisses from the ground and bubbling mud pots churn like a witch’s cauldron. Lassen Volcanic National Park is a geothermal wonderland that will make you feel like you’ve set foot in a volatile alien world. Here, hydrothermal features like Bumpass Hell and Sulphur Works remind you of Earth’s raw power.
Hiking through the park offers a front-row seat to volcanic remnants. You’ll pass fields of twisted lava rock, pristine alpine lakes, and even snow-capped peaks. If you’re up for a challenge, the Lassen Peak Trail leads to the summit of the largest plug dome volcano on Earth. The panoramic views from the top are a well-earned reward.
Don’t be surprised if the air smells of sulfur. It’s a pungent reminder that the park is still very much alive beneath the surface. But that’s part of the adventure. There’s something undeniably thrilling about standing near a steaming fumarole, feeling the heat rise from the earth like the heartbeat of a planet.
Essential Tips
- Best Months to Visit: June to October (roads often close due to snow)
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Permits: Not required for day hikes
- Photography: Early morning or late afternoon for best lighting on geothermal features
- Additional Tip: Stay on marked trails; ground around hydrothermal areas can be dangerously thin
7. Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
If Mars and a tropical paradise had a baby, it would be Haleakalā National Park. This towering volcanic crater, located on the island of Maui, offers a mesmerizing landscape of red cinder cones, black lava fields, and patches of silver-green ʻāhinahina (silversword plants) that sparkle in the sun.
The most iconic experience here is witnessing the sunrise from the summit. At over 10,000 feet above sea level, the view is nothing short of spiritual. Clouds roll below you, and as the sky shifts from deep purple to brilliant orange, you’ll understand why ancient Hawaiians believed Haleakalā was the home of the demigod Maui, who legend says lassoed the sun from this very spot.
For a closer look at the park’s alien beauty, hike the Sliding Sands Trail. It descends into the crater, revealing a barren landscape that could easily double as a Mars rover testing site. The silence here is profound — just you, the volcanic earth, and an endless sky.
Essential Tips
- Best Months to Visit: Year-round, but book sunrise reservations well in advance
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Permits: Required for sunrise viewing but not for daytime hikes
- Photography: Sunrise and sunset are magical
- Additional Tip: Dress warmly; temperatures can be below freezing at the summit
8. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
The first time you set foot on the glimmering gypsum dunes of White Sands, it’s like stepping onto the surface of a distant moon. The sheer whiteness of the landscape is dazzling, especially under the midday sun. Yet unlike desert sands that scorch your feet, gypsum remains cool, making it an inviting place to explore.
The contrast here is striking — blinding white dunes against a vibrant blue sky. Wind-sculpted ridges and ripples stretch endlessly, and the quiet is so profound that you might hear nothing but your footsteps. For an extra dose of adventure, try sand sledding down the smooth slopes — it’s like an otherworldly rollercoaster ride.
Come sunset, the dunes glow with a warm, ethereal light. As the sun dips below the horizon, shadows dance across the ridges, transforming the landscape into a dramatic dreamscape. Many visitors swear this moment feels like a scene from a sci-fi epic.
Essential Tips
- Best Months to Visit: October to April for cooler weather
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Permits: Not required for day use
- Photography: Late afternoon and sunset are spectacular
- Additional Tip: Bring sunglasses and sunscreen — the sun’s reflection on the white sands is intense
9. Redwood National and State Parks, California
Walking beneath the towering coastal redwoods of Northern California is like stepping into a living cathedral. These ancient giants, some standing over 350 feet tall, stretch so high they seem to brush the sky. The filtered sunlight bathes the forest floor in a golden glow, and the air is thick with the earthy scent of damp moss and fallen leaves.
It’s easy to imagine you’re in an enchanted realm, but what truly sets Redwood National and State Parks apart is its timelessness. Some of these trees are over 2,000 years old, their massive trunks bearing witness to millennia of history. Walking along trails like the Tall Trees Grove or the Fern Canyon Loop feels like slipping through a portal into Earth’s prehistoric past.
Filmmakers took advantage of this surreal beauty, using Fern Canyon as a backdrop for “Jurassic Park”. The canyon walls, blanketed in delicate green ferns, create a misty, otherworldly atmosphere that will have you half-expecting a dinosaur to emerge from the shadows.
Essential Tips
- Best Months to Visit: May to September
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Permits: Required for Tall Trees Grove and Gold Bluffs Beach access
- Photography: Early morning for misty light filtering through the trees
- Additional Tip: Bring waterproof shoes for Fern Canyon’s shallow stream crossings
10. Olympic National Park, Washington
Where else can you hike through lush rainforests, wander along a rugged coastline, and stand atop glacier-capped peaks — all in one park? Olympic National Park offers a rare diversity of landscapes that makes it feel like an interplanetary journey without ever leaving Earth.
Start your adventure in the Hoh Rain Forest, where moss-draped trees form a vibrant emerald canopy. It’s like walking into a living fantasy world. Listen closely and you might hear the distant call of an elk or the rustling of leaves as a curious squirrel darts past. The forest teems with life, yet it carries a peaceful, ancient stillness.
Venture higher, and the landscape transforms. At Hurricane Ridge, jagged peaks pierce the sky, and the alpine meadows burst with wildflowers in the summer. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Mount Olympus standing tall and majestic. Then, for a complete shift, head to the coast. The rugged sea stacks and misty shores of Ruby Beach feel like the edge of a distant world.
Essential Tips
- Best Months to Visit: June to September for hiking; winter for snowshoeing at Hurricane Ridge
- Difficulty: Varies from easy forest walks to challenging mountain treks
- Permits: Not required for most day hikes
- Photography: Morning fog in the Hoh Rain Forest adds a mystical feel
- Additional Tip: Pack layers; weather can shift dramatically across different park regions
