Blue Bentonite Hills & Mars Research Station Photography Tour from Hanksville
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–4 hours
Fitness Level
Light walking over uneven but short sections; suitable for most fitness levels
Overview
Photograph the Mars Research Station and the surreal Blue Bentonite Hills on a 2–4 hour private tour from Hanksville. Capture otherworldly blue clays, stark architecture, and sweeping desert light while your guide handles logistics and locations.
Blue Bentonite Hills & Mars Research Station Photography Tour from Hanksville
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You arrive in the high desert when the air is still cool and the sky is a hard, clean blue. The SUV from Meridian slides off the pavement and into a wash of dust; the Mars Research Station sits ahead like a set-piece from a sci‑fi film, its clean angles arguing with the ragged lines of the badlands. Cameras come out first—wide lenses to take the building in full, telephotos to compress the distant Henry Mountains—and then everyone turns to the hills: the Blue Bentonite slopes that glow like an impossible pigment beneath late‑day light.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Plan for golden hour
Book the tour around sunrise or sunset to maximize color and texture on the bentonite slopes—midday light is flatter and harsher.
Protect gear from dust
Bring zip bags or protective covers—dust from unpaved roads can damage lenses and electronics.
Expect limited cell service
Caineville and Cathedral Valley have little to no reception; confirm pick‑up details in advance and download offline maps.
Stay off fragile slopes
Bentonite is highly erodible—avoid walking on steep colored faces and follow your guide’s route to prevent damage.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Desert bighorn sheep
- Common ravens
History
The region records sedimentary layers laid down over 200 million years; nearby Capitol Reef also preserves Fremont cultural sites and 19th‑century Mormon orchards in Fruita.
Conservation
Bentonite soils erode easily—stay off delicate slopes, pack out all trash, and follow BLM guidelines to limit vehicle and foot traffic impacts.
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Adventure Hotspots in Hanksville
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Tripod
Stabilizes long exposures and low‑light compositions during golden hour.
Wide‑angle lens (16–35mm)
Captures sweeping vistas and the scale between the research station and the hills.
Polarizing filter
Reduces glare on clay surfaces and saturates skies during strong sunlight.
summer specific
Dust covers / zip bags
Protects camera bodies and lenses from fine desert dust on unpaved approaches.