During geological work for future planetary missions, portable/hand‐held infrared spectral imaging instruments have the potential to significantly benefit science objectives. We assess how ground‐based infrared spectral imaging can be incorporated into geological field work in a planetary setting through a series of field campaigns at two analog sites: Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii, and Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico. For this study, we utilize thermal infrared emission spectroscopy (8–13 μm) because this wavelength range is sensitive to major silicate spectral features and covers the terrestrial atmospheric window; however, our conclusions are applicable to other forms of infrared imaging (e.g., near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy). We demonstrate the ways in which spectral imaging could potentially enhance the science return and/or efficiency of traditional geological field work. Benefits include the following: documentation of major compositional variations within scenes, the ability to detect visually subtle and/or concealed variability in (sub) units, and the ability to characterize remote and/or inaccessible outcrops. These advantages could help field workers rapidly document sample context and develop strategic work plans. Furthermore, ground‐based imaging provides a critical link between orbital/aerial imaging scales and sampling scales. Last, infrared spectral imaging data may be combined with in situ measurement techniques, such as X‐ray fluorescence, as well as other ground‐based remote sensing techniques, such as LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), to maximize geological understanding of the work area.