Hanksville/Torrey: Bentonite Hills Drone/Photography Tour

The Blue Bentonite Hills near Hanksville look more like a film set on Mars than a corner of Utah. Red and blue-gray folds run across the bare ground, and the best views come from rocky rises reached by a short climb. I like the mix of striking scenery and useful geological explanation, rather than a simple drive-by photo stop.

I also like the practical setup: a private group, pickup from Hanksville, Torrey, or Teasdale, and transportation in a black or white SUV marked Meridian. The main drawback is clear: you need enough fitness to climb 50 to 100 feet over uneven ground, and the tour may change or be canceled if weather makes the terrain unsafe.

Key points about the Bentonite Hills tour

• Three hours in a Martian-looking setting: The tour takes you into the Bentonite Hills near NASA’s Mars research facility.
• Private photo outing: You get a guide and vehicle for your own group, not a large shared coach.
• Jenny is a featured guide: She leads visitors to lesser-known bentonite formations and explains the geology and local area.
• Pickup is included: Collection and return are available in Hanksville, Torrey, and Teasdale.
• Drone work costs extra: You can rent a DJI Mini 4 or add drone video footage, but neither is included in the base price.
• A short climb is required: The strongest viewpoints may require climbing about 50 to 100 feet on rough ground.

Why these hills look like another planet

Bentonite is a soft clay formed from volcanic ash. In this part of Utah, erosion has cut the clay into rounded ridges, gullies, and layered folds. The colors can shift between rust red, pale gray, blue-gray, and muted tan, creating the strange patterns that make the area so attractive to photographers.

You are not visiting a manicured viewpoint with a railing and paved path. The appeal comes from the raw terrain. The hills have an unfinished, exposed look, and that gives your photos a strong sense of place. I find the setting especially useful for wide compositions, top-down drone footage, and portraits that need a dramatic background.

The connection with NASA adds another layer. The surrounding terrain is used in Mars research because its dry, rough appearance can help scientists and crews think about fieldwork on another planet. You are not entering a NASA facility or taking part in a space simulation, but the nearby research connection helps explain why this particular corner of Utah feels so apt for exploration.

What the three-hour outing is like

Your guide picks you up at the agreed location in Hanksville, Torrey, or Teasdale. Look for a black or white SUV with Meridian lettering. This detail matters in small desert communities, where several vehicles may be waiting near a hotel or meeting point.

From there, the guide handles the transportation toward the Bentonite Hills. The exact route and stops can change with weather and ground conditions, so you should think of this as a guided off-road photo session rather than a rigid sequence of scheduled attractions.

At the hills, you will walk out onto rocky ground and work toward viewpoints with broader views of the colored formations. The guide can help you find angles that show the curves and layers of the terrain instead of reducing everything to a flat red wall.

You should expect some climbing. The stated requirement is approximately 50 to 100 feet to reach the best vantage points. That does not sound like much on paper, but uneven clay and loose rock can make a short ascent tiring. Wear closed-toe shoes with a firm sole, and do not treat this as a casual stroll from the vehicle.

The guide also provides water, which is welcome in this dry setting. Still, you should arrive ready for sun, dust, and changing desert conditions. The supplied information does not promise shade, paved walking surfaces, or indoor shelter.

Jenny and the value of a local guide

Jenny receives especially warm praise for her work in the hills. Her role goes beyond pointing toward a colorful ridge. She takes visitors to less obvious bentonite areas, explains the geology, and helps connect what you see with the broader story of the region.

That kind of guidance can make a real difference here. Without help, the hills may first look like a series of similar ridges. A guide can direct your attention to the patterns, layers, and color changes that make one section better for photography than another.

Jenny has also helped visitors plan the rest of their time around Hanksville and the surrounding area. Mel, another member of the Meridian team, has provided advice and directions for other local sights before the tour. If you are using this outing as part of a wider Utah trip, ask your guide for suggestions. The information provided does not specify a set of included stops beyond the Bentonite Hills, so local advice can help you use your free time well.

The guide service is available in English, Russian, and Italian. That is useful for international visitors, especially during a photo session where small instructions about positioning, light, or camera settings can matter.

Photography opportunities for beginners and serious shooters

You do not need to arrive as a professional photographer. The terrain supplies strong subject matter, and the private format gives you room to ask questions and adjust your approach.

A beginner can use the outing to practice:

• Framing the colored ridges against the open sky
• Using the hill contours as leading lines
• Comparing wide views with close shots of clay patterns
• Working with changing light and shadow
• Finding higher viewpoints without rushing

If you already photograph regularly, the tour gives you access to a setting that is difficult to interpret from a roadside stop. The guide can take you toward formations with stronger shape and color, while the private schedule may allow more time to refine a composition.

The tour is also designed with drone photography in mind. Drone video footage is available as an add-on, and a DJI Mini 4 can be rented separately. The base price does not include the drone or aerial video, so confirm the final cost before booking if those features are central to your plans.

The supplied information does not state the drone flight rules, launch conditions, or the length of the finished footage. You should ask the operator for those specifics. Weather and terrain can affect any aerial work, just as they can affect the ground tour.

What the private format changes

A private group is one of the strongest features for photographers. You are not trying to keep pace with a busload of people or waiting for strangers to finish at every viewpoint. The guide can focus on your group’s interests, whether that means geology, wide scenic images, phone photography, or drone work.

Private does not mean the terrain becomes easy. You still need to climb and walk over rough ground, and the tour can be modified when conditions require it. The advantage is flexibility, not a guaranteed custom route.

The three-hour length is also sensible. It gives you enough time to travel, walk to viewpoints, take photographs, and listen to explanations without turning the outing into a full-day commitment. If you are touring Utah by car, you can fit it into a day that includes other stops around Hanksville or Torrey.

Is $180 a fair price?

At $180 per person, this is not a bargain roadside excursion. You are paying for a private group, vehicle transport, pickup and drop-off, a guide, water, and access to a specialized photography setting.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise struggle to find the best bentonite formations or if you want help making better photographs. It is also more appealing if you are staying in Hanksville, Torrey, or Teasdale and do not want to arrange your own route over rough desert tracks.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a quick look at the hills or already know the area well. The base rate also excludes the DJI Mini 4 rental and drone video footage. Those additions may be worthwhile for a dedicated aerial project, but you should calculate the total before deciding.

For a private experience with a specialist purpose, the price is reasonable for the right person. I would view it as a guided photo workshop in a remote setting, not simply as transportation to a scenic spot.

Weather, terrain, and physical demands

Desert weather can change quickly, and clay terrain becomes a serious problem when wet. The operator may modify, reschedule, or cancel the outing if conditions make the route unsafe. The final decision about weather cancellation belongs to the operator, even if a weather app or park website suggests conditions look acceptable.

That policy is worth understanding before you commit your day. You may have clear skies in town while the access route or hills are unsuitable. A flexible schedule will make this easier to handle.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, low fitness, or anyone over 60 according to the stated restrictions. That age limit is unusually broad, so I would contact the operator if you are over 60 but active and comfortable on rough ground. Do not assume that being generally fit removes the need for careful consideration. The climb is short, but the surface is uneven and the best photo spots require leaving the vehicle.

Closed-toe shoes are required. I would choose footwear that offers firm support rather than sandals or smooth-soled casual shoes.

Best time to choose this experience

The available information does not promise a particular light window or time of day. Starting times depend on availability, so ask about the schedule when booking if you have a strong preference for morning or evening photography.

Your choice may depend on the rest of your route. Torrey and Teasdale are listed for pickup, along with Hanksville, so you can use the tour as a side outing while exploring the region. Since the total duration is three hours, it fits more easily than a full-day excursion.

The setting itself does much of the work in photographs, but light affects how clearly the ridges and folds show. If photography is your main goal, tell the operator what you want to shoot and ask which available time is most suitable. The operator can also explain what is realistic if weather threatens the route.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to photographers who want unusual Utah scenery without planning their own off-road route. It also suits visitors who enjoy geology and want a guide to explain what they are seeing instead of simply collecting a viewpoint.

It is a good fit for a private couple, family group, or small party with similar interests. The private arrangement keeps the outing focused, and the multilingual guide option helps make the experience accessible to more international visitors.

I would not choose it for a relaxed sightseeing day with minimal walking. It is also a poor match for anyone who needs flat paths, dependable weather, or a fully predictable itinerary. The hills are rewarding because they are rough and exposed, but those same qualities create the main practical limits.

FAQ

How long is the Bentonite Hills tour?

The tour lasts three hours.

Where does pickup take place?

Complimentary pickup and drop-off are available in Hanksville, Torrey, and Teasdale.

How will I identify the tour vehicle?

Look for a black or white SUV with Meridian lettering and logo.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The experience is arranged for a private group.

What languages can the guide speak?

Live guiding is available in English, Russian, and Italian.

Is drone footage included in the price?

No. Drone video footage is available as an add-on.

Can I rent a drone for the tour?

Yes. A DJI Mini 4 is available to rent, but it is not included in the base price.

Do I need to climb during the tour?

Yes. Reaching the best viewpoints may require climbing approximately 50 to 100 feet.

What should I bring?

Closed-toe shoes are required. Water is provided by the tour.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour may be modified, rescheduled, or canceled because of weather or terrain conditions. The operator makes the final decision about weather cancellations. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should you book the Bentonite Hills tour?

Book it if you want a focused photography outing, private transportation, and a guide who can explain the geology while leading you to strong viewpoints. Jenny’s guidance, the unusual colors, and the optional drone work give the experience more substance than a quick scenic stop.

Skip it if you have mobility limits, dislike rough ground, or want a guaranteed schedule. At $180 per person, the tour makes the most sense when you care about photography and would value local guidance. For that audience, the Martian-looking Bentonite Hills offer a memorable and practical use of three hours in southern Utah.