38 Places Where Nature Looks Straight Out of a Sci-Fi Movie

18. The Otherworldly Palette of Bentonite Hills: Utah's Painted Fantasy

Nestled within the boundaries of Utah's Capitol Reef National Park, the Bentonite Hills present a surreal landscape that seems to have leapt from the pages of a science fiction novel. These undulating mounds, rich in bentonite clay, are renowned for their striking palette of reds, purples, blues, and greens, which shift and shimmer in the sunlight. This kaleidoscope of colors is the result of volcanic ash deposits that have been transformed over millions of years into clay, combined with the unique mineral composition of the region. Walking through the Bentonite Hills feels like stepping onto an alien planet, where the smooth, rounded shapes and vibrant hues defy the conventional expectations of Earthly terrain. The area is especially captivating during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, when the light enhances the colors and adds depth to the hills' already surreal appearance.