This Surreal Wilderness Is Called the ‘Most Alien Landscape’ in the U.S.—and It’s a Domestic Dupe for Turkey’s Cappadocia

For hundreds of years, vacationers and historians have been captivated by the gorgeous sights of Turkey’s Cappadocia area. With its distinctive terrain, and “fairy chimney” rock formations, the geology conjures up marvel and intrigue. 

However whereas seeing the UNESCO World Heritage web site up shut and private is unimaginable, travelling to Turkey can be a hike. Thankfully, there’s an equally-stunning various nearer to residence the place vacationers can discover dramatic rock formations and all they must do is get to New Mexico.

Situated in northeastern New Mexico close to the famed 4 Corners, the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Space has captured the eye of outside lovers for its beautiful wave rocks and hoodoos and gorgeous resemblance to Turkey’s Cappadocia.

The land is free to entry and open year-round, in line with the Inside Division’s Bureau of Land Administration

“The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a rolling panorama of badlands which gives a number of the most uncommon surroundings discovered within the 4 Corners Area,” the Bureau of Land Administration wrote concerning the space. “Time and pure components have etched a fantasy world of unusual rock formations product of interbedded sandstone, shale, mudstone, coal, and silt.”

When visiting, hikers and campers are suggested to deliver their very own water sources since there isn’t a potable water there. There may be additionally little or no shade and temperatures are recognized to be fairly excessive. That mentioned, most vacationers go to within the late spring or early summer time in addition to within the fall, the bureau famous.

There are some things to remember if you go: the wilderness space is closed to motorized automobiles and vacationers can not begin campfires, climb on the fragile geologic options, or trespass on the adjoining tribal lands. Pets are allowed, however have to be on a 6-foot leash. And there’s a keep restrict of 14 days, in line with the bureau.

Regardless of the difficult terrain, the area stays well-liked amongst hikers and backpackers. Outside lovers on AllTrails rated the Bisti Badlands Path inside the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Space a 4.6 with greater than 1,900 opinions.”Wonderful, otherworldly surroundings!” one AllTrails consumer shared in a five-star evaluation earlier this yr.

On Reddit, different vacationers have described the wilderness space as “probably the most alien panorama I’ve ever seen.”

Vacationers trying to discover the realm can attain it from a number of completely different airports—just like the Albuquerque Worldwide Sunport (ABQ) or the Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO)—however needs to be ready to drive a number of hours to get to the rock formations.