The Best Time To Visit The Desert

We visit deserts not just because of their unique landscapes, but because they also hold a special place in our imaginations. The combination of solitude, silence, and shifting sands give them a mysterious charm that attracts travelers from all around the world. Summers are long and very hot with temperatures that regularly climb above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius) during the day. You will quickly see why fall and winter seasons are one of the best-kept secrets of travelers. These are the best seasons to visit because the temperatures are comfortable, the light is perfect for photography, and there are no crowds. Below we have compiled a short list of our favorite places to explore during the beautiful and tranquil desert season that's fast approaching.

Moab, Utah

Moab, Utah is a colossal outdoor playground for hikers, bikers, climbers, and paddlers. The landscape has been called “hard-core” and “gnarly,” but the local attitude is mellow. The town has wineries tucked along sandstone canyons, locally-sourced eateries, and craft breweries.

Death Valley, California

Death Valley sits 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level; is surrounded by steep, colorful mountain ranges; and offers visitors a variety of surreal landscapes that artists and adventurers enjoy equally. The valley averages a comfortable 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17 degrees Celsius) through the fall. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life survives in Death Valley.

Grand Junction, Colorado

In the Western United States, town names often speak volumes of what to expect from that place. Grand Junction sits at the crossroads of some of the most grandiose natural sites found in the west. Travelers venture to this area for the whitewater rapids of the Colorado River, the wild horses of Little Book Cliffs, as well as the vineyards and peach orchards of neighboring Fruita and Palisade. Here you will find bighorn sheep nestled within the beautiful red-rock canyons of the Colorado National Monument, along with the world’s largest flat-top mountain which attracts hikers and campers in the summer and skiers in the winter.

Palm Springs, California

This sun-drenched desert oasis is returning to its glory days as a Hollywood playground, a central gathering spot for modern architectural design aficionados, musicians and artists drawn by nature’s inspiration, and an increasing crowd of cool-seekers. Warm cocktail parties by the pool in winter draw snowbirds from the north and locals from cooler parts of southern California. Here visitors enjoy Mai Tais at tiki bars and s’mores by fire pits in the evening under the stars. This is the place where people get away when it’s colder elsewhere.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

The awe-inspiring Grand Canyon is 277 miles (445 kilometers) long and more than a mile deep in some areas. Millions of travelers visit the canyon annually to bask in its natural beauty and overwhelming size. Depending on where you want to explore, visitors can experience helicopter, airplane, jeep, rafting, biking, and donkey tours.

All Said

A desert getaway this fall or winter can add dimension to your travels, setting a relaxing pace for whatever you do while simultaneously offering up some lasting and cherished memories.