13 Places That Look Just Like Mars

One of the things I hear repeatedly from visitors to our state is just how beautiful the land is here. Yup, I agree! We’re blessed to have some incredibly diverse environments which look absolutely stunning in person and on film. In fact, you could probably even argue that some areas of our state look like they could be from another planet.

The one planet that comes to mind: Mars.

In fact, the terrain on Mars is a bit more diverse than just the red landscapes you often see in media. The planet has canyons, fissures, meteor craters, mountains, and so many more formations. It’s not difficult to find the similarities between the Red Planet and Arizona with our landscapes. Just remove the plants, animals, and bright blue skies (it’s pretty hazy on Mars) and you’ll easily find a double for Mars. Here’s a look at some places that look pretty similar to our stellar neighbor.

First, let’s start with Meteor Crater, located near Winslow. The red rocks combined with the perfectly preserved crater make attraction look out of this world.

Bill Lile/Flickr

If this place wasn’t so popular, I bet you would mistake it for Mars. Just look at all that red landscape!

Michele Anzidei/Flickr

The canyons near Bitter Springs on the Navajo Nation look majestic and rugged, just like what you imagine a Martian landscape to look like.

adam brin/Flickr

The same goes for Tuba City, which is dusty and windy with a red landscape. Actually, maybe this is Mars?

Jean-François Chénier/Flickr

Here’s another look at an area near Bitter Springs that looks like it could be our favorite red planet.

Arizona Department of Transportation/Flickr

Everyone’s bucket list destination, the Wave at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, could easily double for an incredible find on the Red Planet. Plus, since the Wave was formed by wind erosion, it would be possible for a similar place to appear on Mars.

Jerry Edmundson/Flickr

This view quiet near Wupatki National Monument is beautiful and a potential landscape twin for the less red areas of Mars.

AZ Geological Survey/Flickr

Another location: the Little Painted Desert, just north of Winslow. Here, you’ll find an arid land with multicolored layers and no sound but the wind.

A Subset/Flickr

How colorful do you think Mars may be? I like to think a Martian landscape looks something like this, as thought it were straight from a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

CEBImagery/Flickr

Another example of a fantasy Mars? White Pocket at Vermilion Cliffs.

John Fowler/Flickr

While we’re still not sure just how much water existed on Mars, I like to think you could find slot canyons tucked away in select areas, like Antelope Canyon here.

James Marvin Phelps/Flickr

And, finally, Elephant Butte at Monument Valley is another spot where if you were to remove the bushes and blue sky, you would swear it was Mars.

StormeTX/Flickr

Can you think of any other places that could easily be mistaken for Mars? If you want to check out more gorgeous landscapes around the state, check out these hidden places that will help you to relax.