Last Updated on August 24, 2023
The southwestern United States is home to some of the most spectacular and diverse deserts in the world. From the scorching heat of Death Valley to the cool, high-altitude deserts of the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest offers something for everyone.
The state with the most desert coverage in the US is Nevada, with 75% of its land area being desert. It is followed by California with 58%, Arizona with 43%, and Utah with 37%.
The Mojave Desert, which covers parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona, is the largest desert in the contiguous United States. The Great Basin Desert, which covers parts of Nevada, Utah, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming, is the second largest desert in the contiguous US.
The Sonoran Desert, which covers parts of Arizona, California, and Mexico, is the hottest desert in the contiguous US. The Chihuahuan Desert, which covers parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico, is the driest desert in the contiguous US.
Below, a list of the 10 “most desert” states in USA:
1# Nevada
The state with the most deserts in the US is Nevada, with 75% of its land area being desert.
The state is home to a variety of popular desert attractions, including Death Valley National Park, Great Basin National Park, and the Black Rock Desert.
Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in North America, and is known for its extreme heat and aridity.
Great Basin National Park is home to a variety of high-altitude desert ecosystems, including bristlecone pine forests and alpine meadows.
The Black Rock Desert is a large, dry lakebed that is popular for off-road vehicle racing and camping. The world-famous Burning Man festival takes place here once a year.
The cities of Las Vegas and Reno are also located in the desert. Las Vegas is a major tourist destination known for its casinos and nightlife. Reno is a smaller city that is home to a number of casinos and museums.
2# Arizona
Arizona is the second state with the most deserts in the US, with 43% of its land area being desert.
The state is home to a variety of popular desert attractions, including the Grand Canyon National Park, the Sonoran Desert, and Sedona.
The Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US. The canyon is a mile deep and 18 miles wide, and is carved by the Colorado River.
The Sonoran Desert is the hottest desert in the US, and is home to a variety of cacti, saguaro, coyotes, jackrabbits, and rattlesnakes.
Sedona is a town located in the high desert, and is known for its red rock formations.
The cities of Phoenix and Tucson are also located in the desert. Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and is the fifth most populous city in the US. Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona and is home to the University of Arizona.
3# California
California is the third state with the most deserts in the US, with 35% of its land area being desert.
The state is home to a variety of popular desert attractions, including Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Mojave Desert.
Death Valley National Park is the hottest and driest place in North America.
Joshua Tree National Park is home to a variety of desert plants, including Joshua trees, yuccas, and cacti.
The Mojave Desert is a large desert that stretches across California, Nevada, and Arizona.
The cities of Los Angeles and San Diego are also located in the desert.
Los Angeles is the second most populous city in the US and is known for its beaches, Hollywood, and Disneyland.
San Diego is the eighth most populous city in the US and is known for its beaches, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo.
4# Utah
Utah is the fourth state with the most deserts in the US, with 37% of its land area being desert.
The state is home to a variety of popular desert attractions, including Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and the Great Salt Lake Desert.
Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 natural arches, including the Sand Dune Arch, Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch.
Canyonlands National Park is a deep canyon carved by the Colorado River.
The Great Salt Lake Desert is the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere.
The city of Salt Lake City is also located in the desert. Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and is home to the Mormon Temple.
5# New Mexico
New Mexico is the fifth state with the most deserts in the US, with 31% of its land area being desert.
The state is home to a variety of popular desert attractions, including White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and the Chihuahuan Desert.
White Sands National Park is a desert made up of white gypsum sand dunes. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is home to a variety of cave formations, including stalactites and stalagmites.
The city of Albuquerque is also located in the desert. Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico and is known for its annual International Balloon Fiesta and its historic Old Town.
6# Texas
Texas is the sixth state with the most deserts in the US, with 23% of its land area being desert.
The state is home to a variety of popular desert attractions, including Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and the Chihuahuan Desert.
Big Bend National Park features the stunning Chisos Mountains and the Rio Grande River, which serves as the border between the United States and Mexico.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park boasts the highest peak in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, and a unique desert ecosystem.
The Chihuahuan Desert in Texas is known for its diverse plant and animal life.
The city of El Paso is located in the Chihuahuan Desert. It’s a major city in Texas and serves as a cultural and economic hub in the region.
7# Colorado
Colorado is the seventh state with the most deserts in the US, with 20% of its land area being desert.
The state is home to a variety of popular desert attractions, including the Colorado National Monument, the Great Sand Dunes National Park, and the Colorado Plateau.
The Colorado National Monument features breathtaking canyons, mesas, and rock formations that have been shaped by the Colorado River.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, creating a unique desert landscape.
The Colorado Plateau, extending into Colorado, is known for its colorful canyons and high desert environment.
The city of Grand Junction is located near the Colorado National Monument and serves as a gateway to the desert landscapes of western Colorado.
8# Oregon
Oregon is the eighth state with the most deserts in the US, with 18% of its land area being desert.
The state is home to a variety of popular desert attractions, including the Alvord Desert, the Owyhee Desert, and the High Desert Museum.
The Alvord Desert is a vast expanse of dry lakebed and is known for its remote and stark beauty.
The Owyhee Desert is a high desert region characterized by rugged terrain and canyons.
The High Desert Museum in Bend showcases the natural and cultural history of the region.
The city of Bend is located in the High Desert and is known for its outdoor recreational opportunities, craft breweries, and vibrant arts scene.
9# Idaho
Idaho is the ninth state with the most deserts in the US, with 17% of its land area being desert.
The state is home to a variety of popular desert attractions, including the Bruneau Dunes State Park, the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, and the Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway.
Bruneau Dunes State Park features towering sand dunes and a small lake, providing a unique desert experience and sandboarding destination.
The Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area is a haven for various raptors and offers opportunities for bird watching.
The Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway takes visitors through the remote and scenic Owyhee Desert.
The city of Boise, the capital of Idaho, is located near the edge of the desert and serves as a gateway to both desert and mountain landscapes.
10# Wyoming
Wyoming is the tenth state with the most deserts in the US, with 12% of its land area being desert.
The state is home to a variety of popular desert attractions, including the Red Desert, Killpecker Sand Dunes, and Hell’s Half Acre.
The Red Desert is a vast arid expanse known for its unique geological features, including the Killpecker Sand Dunes, Adobe Town, and Boar’s Tusk. Killpecker Sand Dunes are the largest active sand dunes in North America.
Hell’s Half Acre is a rugged desert landscape with deep ravines and eroded formations.
The city of Rock Springs is located in the Red Desert region and serves as a hub for exploring Wyoming’s desert areas and nearby mountain ranges.
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