Mojave Desert

The Mojave Desert occupies a vast area on the West Coast and extends across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. It is home to many parks ranging from the most famous ones such as Death Valley to the most unknown ones, not to mention the many hidden gems and oddities that only the United States can offer.

Whatever the itinerary of your West Coast trip may be, be are sure to include at least one of these parks among your stops and maybe, once you finish reading this article, you will add some more.

Death Valley

Death Valley is definitely the most important park in the Mojave Desert, but also one of the most inhospitable and fascinating areas in the United States, and has almost extraterrestrial landscapes.

Some places in this park, such as Dante’s Peak, have been chosen by George Lucas as the location to shoot some Star Wars scenes in California.

Joshua Tree

The main attractions of this park are the thousands of Yucca trees that, thanks to a group of Mormons, were renamed Joshua Tree because allegedly the branches of these plants reminded them of Joshua‘s arms that pointed to the Promised Land.

Its strength lies in the simplicity of visiting it by car, which makes it an ideal scenic interlude between one point and another during your trip to California. If you are interested in discovering all the options for visiting this park, you can read our article dedicated entirely to Joshua Tree National Park.

Lake Mead

If you decide to visit Lake Mead, you will find yourself observing the largest artificial lake in the United States, which was created by the construction of the Hoover Dam along the Colorado River. The lake area has nine access areas located on the shore both in Arizona and in Nevada. The visitor center is located in Boulder City, very close to the Hoover Dam.

Given the size of the area, there are countless activities that can be done, including camping, fishing, swimming, and rowing.

Mojave National Preserve

Have you ever thought about visiting singing sand dunes? By going to Kelso Dunes, which are located inside the Mojave National Preserve, you can say that you have. These unusual dunes are the park’s main attraction and I recommend it as a stop if you’re traveling from Los Angeles to Las Vegas (or vice versa).

Red Rock Canyon

Near Las Vegas, you will find this conservation area where the characteristic red rocks of this part of the United States are the predominant features. You can visit it by car on the scenic drive, as well as take one of the many trails that wind through the park.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve

If you happen to be in this area in the spring, you’ll feel as if you were in Holland rather than in the middle of the Mojave Desert. This part of California is known for having a microclimate that favors the growth of poppies.

The best time to visit is between mid-February and May. There are scenic trails leading to the top of the hills where you can stand above the area. They have the advantage of being simple but at the same time very picturesque and will allow you to take pictures that are certainly unique.

If you are planning to visit this park, know that the trails are completely exposed to the sun even in spring, so bring plenty of water and wear the right clothing for these weather conditions. The park is open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset. To visit it, you will need to pay a ticket that costs $10 per vehicle.

Snow Canyon State Park

The park is dominated by some impressive rock formations of various shades of red. You can easily visit it by car driving along the scenic drive and stopping from time to time at the panoramic spots. There is a fee to access the park.

Within the immense area of the Mojave Desert, there are not only parks and natural beauty, but there are also other attractions. A few to mention are: Two Pines Chapel, better known as the Kill Bill Church in Lancaster, California; the Musical Road, a road that plays a song; the tallest thermometer in the world; and Calico Ghost Town.