Hanksville Photography Tour: Mars Facility & Blue Hills

Photograph the Mars Research Facility's futuristic architecture against red desert stone.

A photography tour from Hanksville that picks you up from your hotel and drives through Capitol Reef National Park to the Mars Research Facility, where you photograph its architecture from outside, then continues to the Blue Bentonite Hills for more shooting before returning at sunset. The guide speaks English, Italian or Russian; children from age 6 are welcome; the vehicle is air-conditioned.

Step-by-step itinerary

Photography tour of Mars Facility and Hills

• Pick up from hotel or AirBnB
• Explore Capitol Reef National Park geology
• Stop at Mars Research Facility for photos
• Visit Blue Bentonite Hills for photography
• Drive back passing through Capitol Reef

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup and moves through 200 million years of geological layering visible in Capitol Reef National Park. Your guide explains the rock formations as you drive, then stops at the Mars Research Facility so you can photograph its futuristic design against the desert. You won't enter the building, but you'll have time to capture the structure and learn about the research happening inside from the outside vantage point.

From there the route continues to the Blue Bentonite Hills, where the slopes shift through shades of blue and you can shoot the surreal color against the sky. The drive back passes through Capitol Reef again, timing the return for late afternoon or early evening depending on the season and the light you want to chase.

What’s included

• Hotel or Airbnb pickup in Hanksville.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the route.
• guide commentary on Capitol Reef geology and the Mars Research Facility.
• time to photograph at the facility and the Blue Bentonite Hills.
• return transport to your starting point.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 23 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Meridian

Is this one for you?Children from age 6 can join, though infants must sit on an adult's lap. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy, as the vehicle travel and outdoor time may not suit those conditions.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Italian and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How long does the Hanksville photography tour take?

The tour runs between two and four hours, depending on how much time you spend shooting at each stop and the time of year.

What is the Mars Research Facility and can I go inside?

The Mars Research Facility is a futuristic structure in the desert where groundbreaking research is conducted. You'll photograph it from outside and learn about the work from your guide, but entry to the building itself is not part of the tour.

What makes the Blue Bentonite Hills worth photographing?

The hills display unusual blue and azure mineral tones in their slopes, creating surreal color contrasts against the desert landscape that are rare and striking in photographs.

Do I need photography experience to join this tour?

No. The tour is built around capturing the landscape and the facility, and your guide will point out the best angles and light. Suitable for all physical fitness levels.