Boulder’s NCAR campus framed by the majestic Rocky Mountains — where cutting-edge science meets breathtaking Colorado beauty.

Perched high above Boulder on a sunlit hillside, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is more than just a hub for scientific innovation — it’s a bold architectural landmark that commands breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. Today’s Outdoor Picture of the Day captures the NCAR campus in all its glory, bathed in light with Colorado’s iconic peaks rising in the distance.

But there’s more to this site than meets the eye. Yes, it’s a world-class scientific facility studying everything from climate change to tornadoes — but it also boasts a surprising connection to Hollywood.

Did you know? NCAR was featured in Woody Allen’s 1973 sci-fi comedy Sleeper.

The lab’s futuristic look — designed by famed architect I.M. Pei — made it the perfect stand-in for a dystopian future. Its concrete forms and dramatic setting have made it an eye-catching backdrop for films, photoshoots, and documentaries ever since. Few scientific facilities can claim both a cinematic legacy and groundbreaking climate research.

In Sleeper, Allen’s character awakens after being cryogenically frozen and finds himself navigating a bizarre, totalitarian future. Scenes filmed at NCAR feature the building’s angular towers, sweeping balconies, and expansive mountain backdrop, giving the film an authentic, grounded sense of place — and adding an unexpected Boulder cameo to Hollywood history.

NCAR Building from the back.

Fun Facts About NCAR:

• The elevation of the NCAR Mesa Lab is approximately 5,850 feet, giving it panoramic views of Boulder, the Flatirons, and the plains.
• Architect I.M. Pei, who also designed the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, completed the building in 1967.
• NCAR’s surrounding trails are open to the public and connect to the extensive Boulder trail system, including the popular Mallory Cave trail.
• The building’s design was inspired by Anasazi cliff dwellings, blending ancient influences with modern science.

For locals and tourists alike, visiting the NCAR campus is a must. You don’t need a lab coat to appreciate the experience — the outdoor decks, visitor center exhibits, and nearby hiking trails offer something for everyone. It’s also one of the few places where you can learn about weather patterns and global warming inside, then walk outside and experience those forces playing out in real time across the vast Colorado landscape.

Trails behind NCAR in Boulder offer stunning views and peaceful escapes, with Devil’s Thumb rising proudly in the background.

This epic image of the NCAR Lab — stark, strong, and surrounded by nature’s grandeur — reflects so much of what makes Boulder unique. Here, art, science, nature, and history coexist in harmony. And on a day like this, with blue skies stretching forever and sunlight illuminating every rugged line of the Rockies, NCAR doesn’t just look like the future — it feels like it.

Whether you’re chasing trails, science, or cinema trivia, Boulder’s NCAR campus offers a view and a story worth sharing.

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