USA Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) & Bentonite Hills
The The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) is a private research facility that simulates a Martian habitat. It is located about 7 miles north of Highway 24 on Cow Dung Road (also known as North Cow Dung Road).
Crucial Access Info: The facility itself is private property and closed to the public. You must stay on the public road and park in the designated "Park and View" areas (as shown in the sign in the photo).
Crucial Access Info: The facility itself is private property and closed to the public. You must stay on the public road and park in the designated "Park and View" areas (as shown in the sign in the photo).
Photography Tips
Best Time to Shoot: Sunset and the "Blue Hour" immediately following sunset. This is when the reds and purples of the surrounding hills become most vibrant.
Lens Recommendation: A telephoto lens (70-200mm or longer) is excellent for compressing the landscape and making the research station look small against the rolling hills.
Lens Recommendation: A telephoto lens (70-200mm or longer) is excellent for compressing the landscape and making the research station look small against the rolling hills.
Travel Information
Road Conditions: The road is unpaved. While usually fine for most vehicles when dry, the "Bentonite" clay becomes dangerously slick and impassable "death mud" immediately after any rainfall.
Spot Type
Outdoor
Crowd Factor
Just a few people
Best Timing
Sunrise in spring
Sunrise & Sunset
06:14 - 20:44
| current local time: 10:33
Photo Themes
Architecture
golden hour
Landscape
surreal nature
Locations
Utah
Hanksville
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