10 American Desert Destinations That Are Surprisingly Stunning
America’s deserts are not just sand and heat, they are landscapes of beauty, vibrant flora, and a variety of wildlife. These sites of wonder from surreal rock formations to petroglyphs from the ancient past have incredible natural beauty and adventure.
These hidden desert gems are full of surprises at every turn: whether you’re a hiker, photographer or casual traveler.
Arizona & Utah, Monument Valley
Monument Valley is famed for its towering red sandstone formations, but monolithic structures rise from the desert floor and it’s just like a desert version of a landscape from another world. The valley has a rich cultural history—the Navajo people consider it sacred—and the scenery is breathtaking. Photographing the famous landmarks, and guided tours are available.
New Mexico, White Sands National Park
Miles of shimmering white gypsum sand dunes define this surreal landscape, that almost feels like snow. Hikers, sledders, and those who want to marvel at the bright dunes under New Mexico’s endless blue skies are welcome. The white Sand casts a soft pink hue during sunset.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon is a photographer’s paradise, renowned for its smooth, wave-like sandstone walls that make a kaleidoscope of colors. Visitors can explore the narrow, twisting passages dug by centuries of flash floods, with guided tours. The play of light and shadow creates an unforgettable view in the Canyon.
California, Joshua Tree National Park
Unique and prickly Joshua trees accompanied by striking boulder formations, give this park an eclectic mix of desert beauty and mystery. For rock climbers and a stargazer, Joshua Tree is the perfect spot. The park’s diverse ecosystem — where the Mojave and Colorado deserts merge — is a true must-see.
Valley of Fire State Park, NV
Valley of Fire is named for its blazing red sandstone formations, an array of vibrant rock formations, and petroglyphs dating back over 2,000 years. The rocks seem to change color in a great show of contrast from sunrise to sunset. The easy access to trails to natural arches, domes, and petrified wood formations are popular with hikers.
Arizona, Saguaro National Park
Saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American West, as well as a desert landscape teeming with vibrance and life abound in this park. Saguaros can grow up to 40 feet tall. Trees erupt within the same landscape forming a unique forest. Saguaro National Park is especially nice at sunset with the sky glowing against the silhouette of these iconic plants.
California & Nevada, Death Valley National Park
The hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the United States, Death Valley has a hauntingly beautiful landscape of salt flats, sand dunes, and mountains. Its most famous sights are the salt flat, Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, and the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. The valley is beautiful, despite the extreme climate, especially during spring wildflower blooms.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
A rugged, remote park along the Rio Grande, this park boasts stunning desert scenery with dramatic mountain peaks, canyons and wide open landscapes. Big Bend is diverse: Desert, river, mountain areas all within one park. This park is one of the best stargazing spots in the country thanks to the star filled skies.
The Painted Desert, Arizona
The Painted Desert is really a badlands and eroded hills landscape, streaked with intense reds, purples and pinks, as true to its name. This desert is located within the Petrified Forest National Park and includes scenic overlooks and hiking trails within its borders. Sunrise and sunset are beautiful because the colors are so brilliant.
California, Mojave National Preserve
This vast desert preserve has towering sand dunes, extinct volcanoes, and Joshua tree forests in one dense desert tapestry. The Kelso Dunes ‘sing,’ or hum, when you walk on them due to vibrations in the sand. A fascinating destination with unique flora and geological features.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
