16 Places in New Mexico That’ll Make You Swear You’re On Another Planet

Beyond the towns and cities of New Mexico lies a landscape shaped by volcanoes. From one million years ago, until fewer that one thousand years ago, the Rio Grande Rift and the area around Valles Caldera saw a lot of volcanic activity. The resulting rock formations, paired with New Mexico’s low population density, make it easy to imagine that you’re no longer on Earth. While the space tourism industry spearheaded by Spaceport America sounds intriguing, there's no need to sign up for a trip to outer space just yet. After all, you can always visit these surreal places instead. Check out some of the spots that are considered to have a unique landscape in New Mexico:

1. Red Rocks Canyon, near Jemez Springs

These rocks seem better suited to Mars than Earth! You almost expect Matt Damon to drive over the ridge in his rover.

2. Abiquiú Lake, Abiquiú

He’d be ecstatic to find a water source like this one.

3. Elephant Butte Lake, Elephant Butte

Or this one.

4. Clayton Lake State Park, near Clayton

What the heck lives on this planet?

5. Near Hillsboro

And how come the trees are so short?

6. Near Las Cruces

Sometimes it seems like there’s been an invasion of tumbleweeds.

7. Pajarito Plateau, near Los Alamos

Or as if you’re the only person for miles—or light years.

8. Bisti Wilderness, near Nageezi

Perhaps this planet is inhabited by magical creatures!

9. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, near Cochiti

These type of landscapes make anything seem possible. Whether above ground…

10. Carlsbad Caverns, near Carlsbad

…Or below.

11. Rio Grande Gorge and Taos Plateau, near Taos

Fractures in the planet’s crust, such as The Rio Grande Rift, serve as a reminder of the powerful forces that shape our universe.

12. Valley of Fires Recreation Area, near Carrizozo

In geological terms, some of these changes are recent. Little Black Peak erupted only 5000 or so years ago, spewing lava across the Tularosa Basin.

13. El Malpais National Monument, near Grants

Similarly, the McCartys Lava Flow created this otherworldly landscape, which could be the surface of another planet.

14. White Sands National Monument, near Alamogordo

The presence of a gypsum dunefield nowhere near an ocean seems like the work of mystical forces.

15. Roswell

There’s even evidence of alien life forms! But at least they’re friendly.

16. Valley of Dreams, Near Nageezi

Parts of New Mexico are so unearthly, that they make you think you’re dreaming.

What areas of the unique landscape in New Mexico convince you that you’ve been beamed to a different planet? Many would say the state's famous town of Roswell literally did that, and you can experience a quirky space attraction there yourself.