5. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness – New Mexico

If you’ve ever wondered what walking on another planet might feel like, Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness may be the closest answer.

Located in northwestern New Mexico, this remote badlands region features bizarre rock formations, hoodoos, and fossilized remains scattered across a stark desert landscape. The shapes appear almost sculpted—thin spires, balanced rocks, and layered stone formations carved by wind and time.

There are no paved roads within the wilderness itself and minimal signage, which keeps visitor numbers low. But for photographers and adventurers seeking something otherworldly, Bisti offers one of the most unusual landscapes in the country.