Deserts have a bad rep; arid, desolate, lifeless, scorching hot. But let’s get one thing straight: the desert landscape is anything but barren. They’re a haven for all sorts of unique wildlife, resilient plants, and geological wonders, playing a crucial role in global biodiversity.
There are four true deserts in the United States, many of which are safeguarded as national parks. Of the 63 national parks in the country, several include desert landscapes, protecting not only their fragile ecosystems but also the histories of the people who once thrived there.
If you’re eager to experience the raw beauty of these harsh environments, consider visiting one of these best desert national parks:
9. Joshua Tree, California
Any avid national park junkie will have Joshua Tree high up on their vision boards. The landscape is otherworldly and looks more like it belongs in a Dr. Suess film than on planet Earth. Joshua Tree sits at the convergence of the Mojave and Colorado deserts. It’s a meeting point of diverse rock formations and plants – most famously, the Joshua Tree succulent from which it gets its name.
But this park is no arid wasteland. It’s a haven for rock climbers, stargazers, and anyone after a bit of solitude. It’s beautiful year-round, but spring’s flower blossoms put on a real show. In fact, every ten years, the park experiences a spring superbloom.
8. Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon needs no introduction. But while you’re staring at the colossal chasm carved by the Colorado River, you might not notice that this national park is, in its truest form, a desert.
It’s humblingly big, stretching 18 by 277 miles, with endless hiking trails and viewpoints. Technically, the region is classified as a semi-arid desert, influenced by its proximity to the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.
With its staggering elevation changes, the Grand Canyon boasts a surprising diversity of landscapes and habitats. Standing by the mossy banks of the Colorado River, it’s hard to believe that the sun-scorched rims are part of the same park.
7. White Sands, New Mexico
Located in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico, the dramatic landscape at White Sands National Park is all in its name.
The park is home to the world’s largest gypsum dune field, which creates an almost moon-like terrain. Gypsum is a mineral that forms when water evaporates from a salt lake. In this case, it came from a shallow sea that covered the area over 250 million years ago.
It’s hard to believe this much sand exists so far from the ocean. Gazing out across the sandy horizon is a bit like looking at a mirage. The dunes are always shifting, and despite the harsh environment, some interesting species have learned to thrive here.
6. Saguaro, Arizona
If you asked a school child to draw a picture of a desert, chances are they’d scribble something that looked a bit like Saguaro National Park. It’s located in the Sonoran desert, a quintessential landscape with dry ground, towering cacti, and always a dramatic sky looming above.
The cacti that grow here are the nation’s largest. Called the giant saguaro, they’re a universal symbol of America’s Wild West and can live for more than 150 years! The park is separated into east and west, the Rincon Mountain District and Tucson Mountain District. While both sides maintain the Sonoran landscape, the main differences are the rock formations and animals that live around them.
5. Arches, Utah
Arches National Park might be one of the most photographed parks in the U.S. It is home to over 2000 natural sandstone arches and sky-high pinnacles carved into the soft red rock. These include the famous Delicate Arch, which has been sculpted over millions of years by a combination of wind and water.
The geological history of these rock formations is a fascinating story of natural forces that began roughly 65 million years ago. Arches is also the traditional homeland of many indigenous tribes. Take the time to learn about these ancient people and what life might have been like in the park thousands of years ago.
4. Great Sand Dunes, Colorado
Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes are home to North America’s tallest dunes, nestled against the dramatic backdrop of the snowcapped Sangre de Cristo Mountain range. The contrast of colors and landscapes is striking.
And while you think sand might be all this park has to offer, you would be wrong. The park is a diverse landscape of grasslands, alpine lakes, tundra wetlands, and forests. Within the space of one day, you could easily experience three unique ecosystems.
Great Sand Dunes is also considered an International Dark Sky Place (IDSP), which means it is committed to protecting the area from light pollution. It’s one of the most spectacular places to stargaze in the country.
3. Big Bend, Texas
With its enormous canyons carved through the landscape by the Rio Grande, Big Bend doesn’t look like a desert at first glance. However, it’s actually the largest piece of protected area in the Chihuahuan Desert. Within the park, there are over 1200 plant species and more than 75 mammal species.
The area also has a rich cultural history. Some archeological sites date back a staggering 10 thousand years, and more recently in history, the park was home to ranchers, miners, and pioneers. Its remote location in Far West Texas also means it has some of the clearest night skies.
2. Canyonlands, Utah
Canyonlands looks a lot more like a Martian landscape than a physical place on Earth. Stretching across Utah’s desert, this park’s main attraction is its rugged canyons carved into the landscape by the Colorado River.
The area was established as a National Park in 1964 to protect 527 square miles worth of colorful desert landscape. The park is divided into four areas: Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers. While all share the classic desert topography, each region has its own atmosphere, flora and fauna, and offers different activities and adventures.
1. Death Valley, California & Nevada
As its name suggests, Death Valley is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S. At Furnace Creek, temperatures have soared to a scorching 134 degrees Fahrenheit, which remains the highest ever recorded on Earth.
It’s a classic desert landscape, stretching across both California and Nevada in the northern Mojave Desert. From the salt flats of Badwater Basin, which is 282 feet below sea level (the lowest point in the U.S.), to the surreal rainbow-colored, mineral-rich Artists Pallette, this park’s landscapes are something special. And let’s not forget about Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and the crystal clear night skies.
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