Wondering where to find the Mars rainbow mountains in Utah? Here, you’ll learn everything you need to know before visiting Utah’s rainbow mountains, located in Bentonite Hills, Utah near the Mars Desert Research Station.
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You can see rainbow mountains in Utah in two primary locations: Bentonite Hills and Paria Canyon. The most prominent colorful mountains in Utah are located at the Bentonite Hills near Mars Desert Research Station.
The Bentonite Hills consist of blue, red, purple, and green clays created by volcanic ash, giving the hills a ringed rainbow color. While many places in Utah are known to look like Mars, such as Goblin Valley State Park and the Bonneville Salt Flats, people are usually referring to the Bentonite Hills, when they are talking about “Mars,” Utah.
Believe it or not, the Bentonite Hills are free to visit. The Bentonite Hills are on BLM land, meaning no permits, entrance fees or park reservations are required to visit or hike here. Please respect the land and abide by the Leave No Trace Principles when visiting the rainbow mountains.
Rainbow Mountains Utah Location
Again, the brightest rainbow mountains Utah has to offer are located at the Bentonite Hills near Mars Desert Research Station.
These mountains are scattered between Capitol Reef National Park and Canyonlands National Park, with the most colorful hills northeast of Capitol Reef and just west of Hanksville, Utah. From Capitol Reef, the drive to Bentonite Hills will take about 45 minutes. From Canyonlands and the Moab area, the drive will take about roughly 2 hours.
You can get to the Bentonite Hills by simply plugging “Bentonite Hills” or “Mars Desert Research Station” into Google Maps. Or, follow these directions.
Directions To Bentonite Hills From Capitol Reef
- Take UT-24E toward 620 E/S Notom Road/Notom Bullfrog Basin Road.
- Turn left onto N Cow Dung Road.
- Continue straight past the Mars Desert Research Station.
- Your destination will be on the left.
Directions To Bentonite Hills From Moab
- Take US-191N and 1-70W to UT-24W.
- Take exit 149 for UT-24W toward Hanksville.
- Follow UT-24W to Moon Walk Road.
- Turn left onto UT-24W.
- Turn right onto UT-24W/E 100N.
- Continue to follow UT-24W.
- Turn right onto N Cow Dung Road.
- Continue straight past the Mars Desert Research Station.
- Your destination will be on the left.
When accessing the Bentonite Hills via Cow Dung Road, a 4×4 is not necessary to reach the Bentonite Hills. The roads are bumpy but leveled out. We drove our small 2011 Chevy Cruze and had no issues.
Alternatively, you could book a guided tour to the Bentonite Hills.
Bentonite Hills Tours
Rainbow Mountains Utah Hike
There are no specific hiking trails at the Bentonite Hills, but you are free to walk on and hike the Bentonite Hills. Note, the National Park Service requests that you only walk where other people have walked. Off-roading is not permitted. You also cannot visit or hike close to the Mars Desert Research Station.
The Bentonite Hills have a surprisingly squishy, popcorn-like texture, not comparable to any other ground or dirt. This makes walking on the the Bentonite Hills feel like you are actually walking on Mars. Therefore, hiking up the Bentonite hills can be a challenge. As you hike a step up the hill, you slide a half step down the hill. It is definitely possible to reach the top of each hill, just know that it may take you more effort than it looks. Wear proper hiking shoes, no sandals.
Likewise, the Bentonite Hills are known to be the closest environment to Mars, which is why astronomers and astronauts routinely train and perform research in the Bentonite Hills.
Due to the growing popularity of the area, the Mars Desert Research Station recently had to begin managing the public’s access to the area more strictly. “Visitors can view the station from the road, but we require no one approach the buildings or hike in the surrounding area,” said the Mars Desert Research Station on their Facebook page.
Rainbow Mountains Utah Camping
Camping is primitive and dispersed along Utah’s rainbow mountains in the Bentonite Hills. Do not camp on the hills. Only camp in previous campsites at the base of the hills. There are no fees or campsite reservations necessary. Pack out everything you pack in. Bury human waste 6″ in the ground.
What To Bring To Bentonite Hills Utah
Like many of Utah’s jaw-dropping attractions, the rainbow mountains are tucked in the middle of nowhere. Thus, it is vital that you remember the following items.
- A full tank of gas. Gas stations are sparse in the Utah desert.
- Screenshots and/or downloads of your map and directions. Cell service is limited in these areas.
- Plenty of water. You will be in the middle of the desert.
- Snacks. Your journey to the rainbow mountains will take you at least a half day.
- Sunscreen.
- Drone. Flying drones is allowed at Bentonite Hills, as long as you do not fly over the MDRS.
- Camera. Here’s all of the best budget camera gear for travel photography for your convenience. You will definitely want a wide angle lens (like this one) at Bentonite Hills.
Are the rainbow mountains of Utah on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below!
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Thank you for all this great information. My husband just retired so a “traveling we go!”
Of course! I’m so glad it was helpful. And congratulations! Have so much fun!
Is the ground squishy because of fragile cryptobiotic soil?
Hey Claire! To my (limited) understanding, no. There is a Mars Research station nearby, and I know they walk and train on the hills. So, I’m assuming it’s okay to walk on. But, to be safe, the National Park Service asks us to only walk on the areas that have already clearly been walked on. There are no designated trails yet, but you will see footprints/flattened areas that have been walked on. And, of course, leave no trace.