 |
| A great way to explore the Sonoran Desert is at Saguaro National Park. |
Among the best ways to see Big Bend National Park’s major sights is via a day hike. Though the park is vast, three short trails will allow you to enjoy the park’s major highlights – the Rio Grande River, some of America's darkest skies, and a historic Native American route.
Varied terrain marks Sonoran Desert
At 120,000-square miles in size, the Sonoran stretches from southern and central Arizona into California’s Coachella Valley (where Palm Springs is located) and into northern Mexico. The Sonoran offers varied terrain, ranging from classic desert flatlands to rocky peaks and from sand dunes to lava badlands.
Diverse trails abound across Mojave Desert
North America’s driest landscapes, fascinating rock formations, and extinct volcanoes await day hikers in the Mojave Desert. At 25,000 miles, the Mojave is the smallest of America’s four deserts. Thanks to its proximity to Hollywood, however, it’s often the most filmed desert in television shows and motion pictures.
Best trails to see Grand Basin’s wonders
Among the best ways to see Great Basin National Park’s top sights is via a day hike. Just five short trails will allow you to enjoy each of the park’s highlights – Earth’s oldest living organisms, limestone caves, night skies alit with thousands of stars, Nevada’s only glacier, and ancient pictographs.
BONUS: Consider bringing along specific gear for desert hikes
As a dry, severe environment, deserts offer both incredible scenic wonders and grave dangers. Because of the former, they make for great hiking terrain…because of the latter, specific hiking gear and equipment is essential for a day hike there.
Learn more about national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks series.
