Desert Parks, Forests & Public Lands

The desert is shaped as much by its protected lands as by its towns, roads, and mines. National parks, forests, preserves, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and local parks protect remarkable landscapes ranging from high mountain forests and ancient bristlecone pines to dry lakebeds, volcanic fields, spring-fed wetlands, and deep desert canyons.

These places offer room to explore, learn, and simply be outdoors. Some are well-known destinations with paved roads and visitor services; others require preparation, respect for distance and weather, and a willingness to travel slowly. Together, they preserve much of the natural character, wildlife, geology, and human history of the desert West.

National Parks, Preserves & Other Areas

Joshua Tree - Death Valley - Lake Mead - Mojave National Preserve - Red Rock Canyon NCA (Nevada) - Grand Canyon - Yosemite - Zion

National Forests

San Bernardino National Forest

Angeles National Forest

Inyo National Forest

Bristlecone Pine Forest

National Natural Landmarks & Areas

Trona Pinnacles

Rainbow Basin

Amboy Crater

Cinder Cone

Afton Canyon

National Wildlife Refuges (NWR)

National Wildlife Refuges protect important habitat for desert wildlife, especially at springs, wetlands, river corridors, and other places where water supports a rich variety of plants and animals. These refuges provide shelter for resident and migratory birds, fish, reptiles, mammals, and rare species found nowhere else.

Ash Meadows

Havasu

From desert bighorn sheep to the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, birds and other animals at Havasu ...

National Historic Highways

National historic highways carried travelers, settlers, freight, and commerce across the desert during the early automobile age. Route 66 and the National Old Trails Road followed practical routes between water, rail centers, passes, and growing communities, helping to shape many of the towns and roadside places that remain today.

Route 66

National Old Trails Road

Wilderness Areas

Wilderness Areas protect some of the most remote and least-developed country in the Mojave Desert. These public lands preserve broad valleys, rugged mountains, dry lakes, dunes, canyons, and wildlife habitat with few roads and little permanent development. They offer opportunities for solitude, hiking, camping, photography, and quiet exploration while protecting the natural character of the desert for the future.

State and County Parks, Reserves and Recreation Areas

State and county parks, reserves, and recreation areas protect many of the desert's most accessible natural and historic places. They include canyons, lakes, volcanic landscapes, desert woodlands, historic forts, mining towns, and places for hiking, camping, picnicking, and learning about the region.