Mojave Desert

The Mojave Desert, which lies mostly within California, also stretches into small portions of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Death Valley National Park is the desert’s most notable attraction, but there is much to explore here. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, outside of Las Vegas, is popular for its rugged rock formations, while Mojave National Preserve features sand dunes, Joshua trees, and endless wildflowers.

The region attractions all kinds of visitors, from outdoorsy travelers interested in hiking and camping, to rock-climbing adventure-seekers, to those just passing through en route from Los Angeles or San Diego to Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon. Aerial Grand Canyon tours provide views of the desert from the sky, while multi-day US West road-trip tours stop at various parks and preserves.

• The Mojave Desert is a must for outdoors lovers, adventure seekers, and all first-time visitors to the region.

• Be sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection on any trip into the desert.

• Avoid hiking in the middle of the day, especially in the summer months, when temperatures can be dangerously high.

• Some parks and preserves in the desert are free to the public while others, such as national and state parks, require a fee.

• Many desert attractions, such as visitor centers and lookouts, are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

Death Valley National Park sits on the edge of the California–Nevada border; enter the park on California Highway 190 from Death Valley Junction, 250 miles (400 kilometers) north of Palm Springs. Mojave National Preserve lies between Interstate 15 and Interstate 40, 120 miles (190 kilometers) northeast of Palm Springs.

Parks and preserves are typically open between sunrise and sunset; some sites may close or have shorter hours in the summer months, when it’s the hottest. To avoid the heat, go hiking in the morning or evening. Wildflower season is in the spring, after the rainy periods.

Together with the Colorado Desert, the Mojave Desert forms a UNESCO World Heritage–designated biosphere reserve to promote and protect the ecology of the region. Located on the border of the Mojave and Colorado deserts is one of the region’s most popular places—Joshua Tree National Park—230 miles (370 kilometers) south of Death Valley.

Head to the Mojave Desert for solace, amazing landscapes, and fantastic views. You can drive yourself or hire guided tours. Have an adventurous ATV tour on the dunes out of Vegas, make a trip to Death Valley, or venture into the Grand Canyon—all options for exploring the Mojave Desert.

The Mojave Desert has crazy landscapes with cliffs, valleys, sizeable open desert stretches, and North America's hottest place: Death Valley. It’s named after the Mojave Native Americans and stretches into Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, with most of it being in California—quite a big desert.

Stay away from the Mojave Desert in the summer, when temperatures get hot, especially in areas like Death Valley. Instead, visit from October through May, but know that the temps will dip considerably around December and January. Spring flowers come out between February and April, making for colorful hiking.

The Mojave Desert covers a lot of territory, so there are plenty of tour options. Adventure ATV and UTV tours cover lots of ground in the desert trails. Some visit the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and more. Choose private or group guided tours ranging from half-day to multi-day experiences.

Yes, it’s worth driving through the Mojave Desert. Take precautions and ensure you have enough water and gas when leaving big towns. There are often vast stretches of land before the next service station, and often, you’ll go miles and miles without running into any other vehicles on the roads.

Yes, it is worth it. You’ll drive through varied desert landscapes and also have the chance to experience solitude on the open roads. Las Vegas is also in the Mojave Desert, so you can mix it up and catch a show and try your luck at the craps table, plan Vegas into your itinerary.