America is home to dry landscapes that look very different from one another. Some are covered in white sand, others rise into tall dunes beside mountains, and some are carved by wind and water into sharp ridges. Here are five desert-like places whose scenery surprises many first-time visitors.
1. White Sands, New Mexico
White Sands in New Mexico is famous for its vast dunes of white gypsum sand. The sand stretches across a large desert basin, creating a bright landscape that looks almost like snow. Gypsum is a soft mineral, and wind has shaped it into rolling dunes over thousands of years. The area is protected as a national park, and visitors can walk, sled, and watch sunsets over the dunes. Plants and animals here have adapted to the dry, salty conditions of the desert basin.
2. Great Sand Dunes, Colorado
Great Sand Dunes in Colorado is home to some of the tallest sand dunes in North America. The dunes rise dramatically against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, creating a striking contrast between sand and snow-capped peaks. Wind blowing across the San Luis Valley has deposited sand here over a very long period. A small creek flows at the base of the dunes in spring and early summer, adding to the unusual scenery. Visitors can hike the dunes, and the nearby mountains make the landscape unlike a classic flat desert.
3. Mojave Desert, California
The Mojave Desert covers parts of California and neighboring states, and it is known for its dry climate and wide open spaces. Its landscape includes rocky hills, flat valleys, and the distinctive Joshua trees that grow in this region. The Mojave is also home to Death Valley, one of the hottest and driest places in North America. Despite the harsh conditions, many plants and animals have adapted to survive with very little water. The desert is also famous for its clear night skies and colorful sunsets.
4. Sonoran Desert, Arizona
The Sonoran Desert in Arizona is one of the most biologically diverse deserts in North America. It is known for its giant saguaro cacti, which can grow very tall and live for a long time. The desert receives more rainfall than many other deserts, which helps support a wide range of plants and wildlife. In spring, wildflowers can cover parts of the desert in bright color. The Sonoran Desert surrounds cities such as Phoenix and Tucson, so visitors can easily explore its trails and cactus-filled landscapes.
5. Badlands, South Dakota
The Badlands of South Dakota is a dry, eroded landscape rather than a classic sandy desert. Wind and water have carved its soft rock layers into sharp ridges, deep canyons, and tall spires over millions of years. The rock layers show bands of different colors, including red, pink, and white, which change with the light during the day. The area is also rich in fossils, and scientists have found remains of ancient animals here. Visitors can drive through Badlands National Park and walk short trails among the striking formations.
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