On paper, deserts don’t appear to have much going for them. After all, water equals life, and by definition, deserts only receive 10 inches of precipitation a year. But anyone who has ever visited a desert knows that what an ecosystem lacks in moisture it more than makes up for in other areas. For example, deserts boast the best sunsets and clear skies for world-class stargazing. They’re also home to the hardiest flora and fauna—think thousands of stubborn species that have had to evolve in some pretty wild ways in order to survive their harsh environments. Then there are the ethereal geological formations that only the right mix of time, erosion, wind, and extreme temperatures can create.
According to National Geographic, deserts account for approximately 20 percent of the earth’s land area. While you’ll need a passport to see the world’s largest desert, Antarctica, and the world’s driest desert, the Atacama, you don’t need to leave the country to have a pretty cool experience in a pretty dry place. The U.S. is home to four major deserts, and each offers something unique. From a desert where you can sled down snow white sand dunes to a desert with a 200-million-year-old petrified forest, here are the five best places for desert exploration in the U.S.
1. Death Valley National Park, California
Best for: stargazing, Star Wars fans
Every spring Death Valley National Park hosts a Dark Sky Festival that attracts thousands of visitors who travel from around the world to attend dozens of presentations and programs celebrating the park’s celestial wonders. Here, just 150 miles west of the bright lights of Las Vegas, the skies are so dark they’ve received the International Dark-Sky Association’s highest rating: gold. But it’s not just aspiring astronomers who flock to this 3.4-million acre oasis, the largest national park in the Lower 48. Death Valley also belongs on the bucket list of every Star Wars fan who wants to visit Tatooine in real life. Both “Episode IV: A New Hope” and “Episode VI: Return of the Jedi,” were filmed in the park.
Nearest KOA:
Lake Isabella / Kern River KOA
2. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Best for: archeological sites
With nearly 5,000 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, Mesa Verde National Park is a magnet for scientists looking to understand how, and where, our ancestors lived. The 52,000-acre preserve, located 35 miles west of Durango, also attracts 500,000 annual visitors interested in learning about the cultures of the pueblos and tribes affiliated with the region. If you want to go inside the cliff dwellings, you’ll need to reserve a spot on a ranger-led tour. Cliff dwelling tours are generally offered mid-May through October, and some are quite strenuous (involving climbing ladders and rock scrambling). Of course, you can also just hike the 30-ish miles of trails and check out the Mesa Verde Museum where you’ll be treated to views of the park’s best-preserved cliff dwelling, Spruce Tree House.
Nearest KOA:
3. Joshua Tree National Park, California
Best for: rock climbing, mountain biking, 4×4 adventures
Named for its iconic yucca trees, Joshua Tree National Park is often considered the crown jewel of the Mojave Desert. While most of the park’s 800,000 acres are undeveloped, there is a vast network of dirt roads offering some of the country’s best mountain biking. There are even bike racks in certain areas so cyclists can lock up their bikes and hike. If rock climbing is more your speed, take advantage of Joshua Tree’s more than 8,000 climbing routes. Local outfitters lead guided climbs, and you can always go on your own. Finally, if you have a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle, don’t miss driving out to Covington Flat to see some of the park’s tallest trees which tower more than 40 feet over the desert floor.
Nearest KOA:
Palm Springs / Joshua Tree KOA Holiday
4. Painted Desert, Arizona
Best for: petrified wood; incredible colors
Painted Desert encompasses around 7,500 square miles in north-central Arizona where the rocks are a rainbow of colors, and the trees date back to the Triassic age. In fact, the desert is home to Petrified Forest National Park which averages approximately 650,000 visitors annually and boasts its own “Old Faithful.” Albeit, in this case, it’s not a geyser. It’s a 44-ton giant log that even Albert Einstein found photo-worthy when he visited the park with his wife Elsa in 1931. On that note: you can definitely take pictures here, and you should. But unless you want to pay a $325 minimum fine, don’t take any of the petrified wood fragments or fossils.
Nearest KOA:
Holbrook / Petrified Forest KOA Journey
5. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Best for: kids and pets
The aptly-named White Sands National Park is part of the world’s largest gypsum dunefield located in the Chihuahuan Desert. If it looks familiar, that’s because it’s served as the backdrop for hundreds of advertisements, commercials, and Hollywood blockbusters, including “Transformers” and “The Book of Eli.” While this desert is ideal for wildlife watching (it’s home to more than 800 species of animals), the highlight for most families is sledding on the dunes. Bring your own sleds or buy plastic saucers from the park’s gift shop. Leashed pets also love White Sands, one of the best national parks for dogs. “To them, it’s full of new scents, sights, cool, softsand, and excitement,” reads the NPS website.
Nearest KOA:
Alamogordo / White Sands KOA Journey
Katie Jackson is a writer and media specialist based in Montana’s Big Sky Country. Living and working everywhere from New York to Nicaragua, Katie is no stranger to adventure. When she’s not traveling the world (or writing about it!) she’s busy chasing after a Leonberger named Zeus. Follow Katie’s travels on Instagram @katietalkstravel.
