Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The drive between Vegas and Reno was not all that spectacular. So that strikes out Nevada. Nevada does have nice features near Vegas though, but I don't think it makes up for the rest of the state:
California desert is definitely interesting depending on where you are. If you factor in Death Valley the Joshua Tree National Park then there are nice places. Desert California's biggest appeal is right by say where Palm Springs is, when you butt up to those big giant mountains that can get snowcapped. However even with those being said I don't think California is the most appealing in its desert regions. But Joshua Tree National Park is still pretty neat:
New Mexico is beautiful in its western half. The eastern half I'm not sure even qualifies as desert, so I don't think that counts. New Mexico deserts, because they are cold deserts leading to more of a transitional plant life similar to a hybrid of desert plant life and the plains. You can see this more transitional plant life going south all the way to Las Cruces especially in comparison to the cacti of southern Arizona. It's still a desert. New Mexico doesn't have the striking rock features that can be seen in Arizona and Utah, which is why I will not be voting for it here. This place though is on my list for places to see:
Arizona, my home state, has a great amount of everything. Arizona has the most deserts out of any state and as a result has the most diversity between the different desert ecosystems. Some states like Nevada and Utah only contain the Great Basin. Arizona also has sky islands which is a huge contrast to the hot deserts below, makes it very beautiful to be around in the winter time if you are down towards Tucson. In Phoenix, the Four Peaks are frequently snowcapped, and while not immediately in the metro, can be seen in large portions of the city. Arizona has the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Petrified Forest, Canyon de Chelly, (we have so many canyons you guys I'm not going to get into it) in it's northern section in the Painted Desert that are fantastic things to see. I recommend Vermillion Cliffs (right on the border with Utah but still almost entirely in Arizona) if you want something off the beaten path. Sedona is another good thing to mention. We also have the Colorado River which speaks for itself, if you have ever visited it due south of the Grand Canyon.
Utah's southern third or half is almost entirely national parks and monuments and it speaks for itself frankly. You have Zion, Arches, Grand Staircase, Lake Powell, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands. Though outside of that, Utah looks a lot like this:
That are almost entirely off the beaten path and basically unheard of.
---
What I will say is it's more or less a tie between Utah and Arizona, and that's contingent on preferences. Utah has a lot of snowcapped mountains, and more striking rock features, along with some lakes that switch things up. Arizona has a better balance of forest lands in comparison to Utah, and much more diversity along the types of scenery (I believe Utah does not have dunes, we have dunes though) you see along the way.
But because of the sheer amount of national parks in Utah alone, I will be voting for Utah here (as I can only vote for one), but I find Utah and Arizona both to be very strong contenders.
Last edited by Prickly Pear; 09-23-2019 at 09:50 PM..
Utah is easily my favorite. It has so much variance from the North portion, to the South. I love the red rocks, it's so pretty, especially with some light snow on them. The state is really something special when it comes to natural desert beauty.
New Mexico is a desert state, but other states have more scenic desert areas (not that New Mexico does not have some scenic spots as well), but New Mexico's advantage is in its mountains not its deserts, much of which are just arid steppe grasslands.
The Sonoran of southern AZ, the Colorado plateau around the Grand Canyon, and the canyonlands of southern Utah are superlative.
I have never seen an ugly desert. And I have seen them all.
Driving through New Mexico, I wanted to bang on people's doors and ask them what they were doing inside when all ..... THIS ..... was outside.
I have no idea why the desert appeals to me so much.
I have never seen an ugly desert. And I have seen them all.
Driving through New Mexico, I wanted to bang on people's doors and ask them what they were doing inside when all ..... THIS ..... was outside.
I have no idea why the desert appeals to me so much.
Maybe because you're from a lush region? I love the desert too. There's a certain feeling you get when you stare into it. Like solitude, but good. Deserts are usually very open, so you can view far with your naked eye. It kind of reminds you that we live in a big world.
I have never seen an ugly desert. And I have seen them all.
Driving through New Mexico, I wanted to bang on people's doors and ask them what they were doing inside when all ..... THIS ..... was outside.
I have no idea why the desert appeals to me so much.
The size of the sky affects your perception as well. I've lived in desert climates most of my life and get clusterphobic back east due to the trees.
All have good characteristics and qualities, but there's something special about Arizona. They've just got it.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
