The deserts that cover large swaths of the American Southwest are a whole lot more than just endless expanses of dirt and rocks. Here, you’ll find ecological goldmines with plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the country or even the world.
You’ll also find some of the most picturesque landscapes that you’ll find anywhere in the country. These are places that you truly have to experience in person to understand the majesty of the sun rising up over the desert floor and through the natural arches and canyons that make up these stunning lands.
So, if you’re ready for a new adventure, pack up the car and head southwest to explore these national parks, which offer some of the most incredible desert exploration in the country.
Death Valley National Park
There is no better place in the country to get a first-hand taste of the harsh realities of life in the desert than in Death Valley National Park.
The park is famously one of the hottest places on the entire planet yet life here still finds a way to survive. If you are lucky enough to visit during one of the park’s once-in-a-decade wildflower super blooms, you can see just how truly resilient these desert plans can be.
Saguaro National Park
If you had to pick one icon of the desert southwest, it would probably be the Saguaro cactus. Made famous over the years in movies and TV shows, these towering plants are a sight to behold.
Yet, did you know that these cacti only grow in the southwestern part of Arizona and into Mexico? If you want the best chance to walk amongst them then your best bet is to pay a visit to Saguaro National Park.
Joshua Tree National Park
Sitting just outside of Los Angeles, Joshua Tree National Park is a great way to escape the city’s hustle and bustle and experience the desert’s quiet expanses. Here, you’ll be surrounded by otherworldly rock formations and even more otherworldly Joshua trees.
Just because you’re visiting a national park doesn’t mean you have to rough it during your stay. The areas around the park have become a hotbed for desert chic vacation rentals, so there will be plenty of choices to keep you rested for your journey to desert enlightenment.
Arches National Park
Arches National Park in Utah is home to some of the most stunning desert landscapes you’ll find anywhere in the world.
This park certainly lives up to its name, as it is home to more than 2,000 documented natural arches that range from soaring works of art that bring in photographers by the thousands to tiny, hidden away gems that take some serious exploration to discover.
Big Bend National Park
Located in some of the most remote lands in the state of Texas, Big Bend National Park has been catching unassuming visitors off guard for generations. Most people have no idea that the state is home to soaring mountains, deep canyons, and the impressive array of wildlife that call this park home.
Come prepared for adventure, as parts of this remote desert wilderness can challenge even the most well-prepared travelers, and help is often hours away.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is a sprawling park covered with wide open plateaus punctuated with steep cliffs into the canyons of the Colorado River below. Life in this desert environment is harsh as the daytime temperatures are hot, yet it can quickly drop below freezing at night due to the park’s higher elevation.
The White Rim Road is an infamous drive, pedal, or run, that takes hearty adventurers deep into the park where they can experience the beauty of this area in all its glory.
Petrified Forest National Park
If you want to experience one of the best examples in the world of how environments on the planet can evolve over time, then there is no better place than the deserts of Petrified Forest National Park. Here, you can walk amongst the petrified remains of an ancient forest that once covered this now desolate land.
Fossils of ancient ferns, amphibians, and early dinosaurs have also been found throughout the park.
White Sands National Park
The desert southwest is like no place on earth, and yet, within this area, this is a place that stands out all on its own.
White Sands National Park is home to over 200 square miles of pure white sand that has formed into dunes that cover the landscape. Made of nearly pure gypsum, this sand is a photographer’s dream for its nearly complete lack of color.
Yet life still finds a way here as the park is home to over 800 species of animals! It takes a sharp eye, but give it enough time, and you’ll find their tracks crisscrossing the white sand dunes.
Grand Canyon National Park
Last but very certainly not least is the crown jewel of the desert southwest national parks, Grand Canyon National Park. Tourists flock to this rugged landscape to take in the beauty, try their hand at hiking its rugged trails, or spend a week (or even a month) floating through the canyons along the Colorado River.
Our best advice for visiting the Grand Canyon is to make it more than just a day trip, as it is an absolute treat to watch the sun both rise and set over this otherworldly landscape.
