21 Natural Rock Formations That Look Like They Belong on Another Planet

Some landscapes make you feel like you’ve left Earth entirely—no spaceship required. Sculpted over millions of years by wind, water, and time, these rock formations are nature’s wildest experiments. Jagged spires, gravity-defying arches, and rippling waves of stone stretch across deserts, mountains, and coastlines, looking more like science fiction sets than Earth-bound scenery. But they’re real—stunning reminders of the planet’s raw, creative force. Whether it’s a flame-colored cliff that glows at sunset or a swirling stone dune frozen mid-motion, these geological wonders transport you to a world beyond the ordinary. We've expanded our list to 21 Natural Rock Formations That Look Like They Belong on Another Planet—each one stranger, more surreal, and more spectacular than the last. This isn’t just a travel list—it’s an invitation to witness Earth's otherworldly imagination. Prepare to be humbled, awed, and maybe even a little disoriented. Because here, reality looks like a dream.

1. The Enigmatic Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, USA, is home to a mesmerizing collection of rock spires known as hoodoos. These towering formations, sculpted by the relentless forces of erosion, stand like sentinels in a vibrant amphitheater of red, orange, and white rock. Hoodoos are formed through a process called frost wedging, where water seeps into cracks, freezes, and expands, gradually breaking the rock apart. Over time, this process creates the narrow spires that reach skyward, each with its own unique shape and character. The Paiute people, who have inhabited the region for centuries, have their own legends about the hoodoos, believing them to be ancient people turned to stone by the trickster god Coyote. As you wander through Bryce Canyon, the hoodoos evoke a sense of wonder and mystery, inviting you to ponder the ancient forces that shaped them and the stories they silently tell.