11 Nevada Desert Hikes Straight Out Of A Sci-Fi Movie

Nevada’s desert landscapes hide some of the most alien-looking terrains on Earth. Walking these trails feels like stepping onto another planet or wandering through a movie set from your favorite sci-fi film. From glowing red rock formations to ancient petroglyphs and mysterious dry lake beds, these hikes showcase nature’s most bizarre and beautiful creations.

1. Valley of Fire’s Fire Wave Trail

Swirling red and white sandstone creates an optical illusion that resembles a frozen wave caught in time. The vibrant colors intensify at sunset, giving hikers the sensation of walking across the surface of Mars.

At just 1.5 miles round-trip, this relatively easy hike delivers spectacular payoff with minimal effort. The trail is unmarked in sections, adding to the adventure as you navigate across open rock faces.

Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making this an ideal winter or spring destination when the desert blooms with unexpected wildflowers.

2. Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark

Stand at the rim of an ancient volcanic crater measuring nearly 6,000 feet across and 430 feet deep. This massive depression isn’t from a meteor impact but rather a volcanic explosion that occurred millions of years ago.

Few visitors make the journey to this remote site, creating an eerie silence that enhances the otherworldly atmosphere. The surrounding Black Rock Lava Flow adds to the lunar-like landscape that NASA once used for astronaut training.

Bring plenty of water and supplies – you’re truly in the middle of nowhere here, exactly as a proper sci-fi adventure should be.

3. White Domes Loop at Valley of Fire

Ancient sand dunes transformed into stone create a maze of towering formations in contrasting colors. A narrow slot canyon along the route provides welcome shade and frames the sky in dramatic fashion.

Movie buffs might recognize portions of this trail from films like ‘Star Trek: Generations’ and ‘Total Recall.’ The remnants of old movie sets still linger in some areas, adding to the cinematic feel of the hike.

The constantly changing terrain – from open desert to tight passages between rocks – makes this 1.1-mile loop feel much longer and more varied than its modest length suggests.

4. Mars-like Landscapes of Grapevine Canyon

Ancient petroglyphs cover massive boulders at the entrance to this secluded canyon, with some rock art dating back thousands of years. The stark contrast between the dark, volcanic rock and the white markings creates an almost coded appearance, like alien communications left for future visitors.

Spring hikers might encounter the rare treat of a seasonal waterfall cascading through the otherwise dry landscape. The stream creates temporary pools that reflect the rugged canyon walls in mirror-like perfection.

Located near Laughlin, this trail offers a unique combination of cultural history and otherworldly geology that feels straight out of a first-contact sci-fi narrative.

5. The Extraterrestrial Highway’s Black Mailbox Trail

Conspiracy theories come alive on this hike near the infamous Area 51. The trail begins near a mysterious black mailbox (now replaced with a white one) that became a gathering spot for UFO enthusiasts and alien hunters.

Sweeping desert vistas extend to the restricted military zone, with distant mountains shimmering in the heat. Strange aircraft occasionally zoom overhead, fueling speculation about secret government projects.

Nighttime hikers report exceptionally clear skies perfect for stargazing, with zero light pollution revealing the Milky Way in stunning detail. Just watch your step – the desert takes on an entirely different character after dark.

6. Rainbow Vista Trail’s Psychedelic Rock Formations

Minerals deposited over millions of years have created rocks in shocking hues of purple, green, red, and yellow. The trail’s high vantage point reveals these colors spreading across the landscape like a painter’s palette left in the sun.

Morning light brings out the most vibrant colors, creating an almost hallucinatory effect as you walk. The surrounding mountains appear to change color throughout the day as shadows shift across their faces.

At just 1.5 miles round-trip, this moderate hike delivers maximum visual impact for minimal effort – though the constant ups and downs can challenge those unused to desert terrain.

7. Fly Geyser’s Alien Hot Springs

Created accidentally by a geothermal energy company in the 1960s, this human-made wonder now resembles an alien growth sprouting from Earth’s crust. Multiple geysers spew mineral-rich water that has created a series of terraced pools in psychedelic greens, reds, and oranges.

The surrounding Black Rock Desert feels like another planet, with flat expanses stretching to distant mountains. Special guided hikes through the private Fly Ranch property allow visitors to experience this bizarre landscape up close.

Thermophilic algae thrive in the scalding waters, creating the geyser’s otherworldly colors – a reminder that life finds a way even in the most extreme environments.

8. Trego Hot Springs’ Desert Oasis

Steam rises mysteriously from the desert floor at this remote hot spring, creating an oasis that feels like it belongs on a distant moon. The natural pool sits in stark contrast to the surrounding playa, with water temperatures reaching a comfortable 105°F year-round.

Nighttime visitors often have the springs entirely to themselves, creating an intimate experience beneath star-filled skies. The absolute silence of the desert amplifies the sensory experience of warm water against cool night air.

Located in the Black Rock Desert (home to Burning Man), this hike requires careful navigation across unmarked terrain. GPS coordinates are essential for finding this hidden gem.

9. Cathedral Gorge’s Slot Canyon Maze

Erosion has carved incredible slot canyons and spires from soft bentonite clay, creating a labyrinth that feels like wandering through an alien cathedral. Some passages narrow to just shoulder-width, with walls rising 50 feet overhead to frame a thin ribbon of sky.

The pale beige formations take on a golden glow during magic hour, transforming the landscape into something truly otherworldly. Temperature differences between sunny areas and shaded slots can vary by 20 degrees or more.

Unlike sandstone slots in neighboring states, these softer formations continue to change rapidly with each rainstorm, making every visit a unique experience in this constantly evolving landscape.

10. Little Finland’s Fragile Rock Sculptures

Wind and water have sculpted red sandstone into delicate formations resembling alien architecture or frozen flames. Some rocks balance precariously on impossibly thin stems, defying gravity in ways that seem engineered rather than natural.

The remote location requires high-clearance vehicles and careful navigation, but rewards adventurers with absolute solitude. Many formations appear translucent when backlit by the setting sun, creating a fiery glow that transforms the landscape.

Also known as Devil’s Fire, this fragile wonderland remains relatively unknown despite its incredible beauty. Tread lightly – these delicate formations can be damaged by careless visitors.

11. Rhyolite Ghost Town’s Goldwell Open Air Museum Trail

Begin your hike at a surreal outdoor art installation featuring ghostly figures frozen in time. The famous ‘Last Supper’ sculpture depicts shrouded figures arranged in a haunting tableau against the harsh desert backdrop.

Continue to the abandoned buildings of Rhyolite, where century-old structures crumble slowly back to earth. The partially collapsed bank building and train station create perfect frames for photographing the surrounding mountains.

Morning and evening light cast long shadows across this ghost town, creating dramatic silhouettes and an atmosphere straight from a post-apocalyptic film set. The complete silence adds to the eerie, end-of-the-world feeling.