Southwest DesertInward
Bentonite Hills, Utah
I stumbled upon while exploring south-central Utah near Capitol Reef National Park.
On that day, I was simply drifting through the landscape, taking turns down unfamiliar roads, hiking a little further just to see what was around the next bend. Suddenly, I arrived at a spot that stopped me cold: a sweeping view where vibrant bentonite hills meet the layered Mancos Shale Formation, all backed by the rugged silhouette of the Henry Mountains.
I quickly set up my tripod and framed several compositions, marveling at how the late afternoon light added a sense of height and drama to the scene. Minutes later, the sun slipped away, and the magic faded with it.
South-central Utah is arguably the most geologically diverse area in all of southern Utah—a place I’m fortunate to call home and where every image I create feels deeply personal.