From flowering deserts to Mars-like landscapes, the following state parks show off the incredible geographic variety of the Southwest without harboring the huge crowds often found in more popular destinations.
1 of 4
Travel Nevada
2 of 4
Travel Nevada
3 of 4
Travel Nevada
4 of 4
Travel Nevada
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Just 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas you will encounter a red and orange-tinged landscape that looks like it belongs on another planet. The burning colors of the bright red Aztec sandstone give Valley of Fire its name, and its appearance has made it a stand-in for Mars on more than one occasion, as in the movie “Total Recall.”
Popular attractions include Elephant Rock and Arch Rock, and the 1.5-mile Fire Wave Trail, an out-and-back loop that takes visitors through some of the park’s most vibrant landscapes. The trail is not too challenging but pay attention to the markings so you don’t veer off course; the whole hike takes about an hour.
Native Americans lived in the Valley of Fire for over 10,000 years. Among hiking trails and vista points lies evidence of their history and culture at Atlatl Rock. The petroglyphs here depict a special type of spear—known as an atlatl—and other hunting weapons used by Native Americans, in addition to drawings of animals and other symbols.
For the best views, drive through Mouse Tank Road early in the morning or right before sunset. Stop and take a photo of the iconic vista; the black asphalt of the road cuts through red rocks that almost glow when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky, creating an extraordinary contrast, all in view of a mountain in the distance.
As with most desert parks, you’re better off visiting Valley of Fire outside of the summer months to avoid excessive heat.
1 of 4
David Corby CC BY-SA 3.0
2 of 4
RuggyBearLA CC BY 2.0
3 of 4
RuggyBearLA CC BY 2.0
4 of 4
Justin Meissen CC BY 2.0
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Perhaps unusual for a desert landscape, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is mostly famous for its wildflower blooms. When a healthy amount of rain falls over Southern California, a relatively uncommon phenomenon, multi-color wildflowers like purple sand verbena, yellow desert sunflowers, and golden poppies blanket the desert in the spring.
However, if you visit during a drought year and can’t find wildflowers, don't worry. You will still experience the badlands, cool oases and slot canyons sprinkled across the landscape, providing beautiful views and great nature hikes.
Discover one such refreshing spot by venturing onto the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail. The 2.8-mile loop winds through cacti and other desert plants before arriving at an oasis lined by towering palm trees and fed by an underground spring.
In addition to the area’s flora, you can easily find desert fauna here, as bighorn sheep and dozens of bird species live in the oasis. Visitors often catch sight of them near the water.
Those interested in local history should tour the park’s petroglyphs, especially those at Indian Hill, left by Native American tribes living in the area. You can also drive down Borrego Springs Road to catch sight of the 130 Ricardo Breceda sculptures, most depicting giant animals—including a T. Rex—that once roamed the land the desert sits on.
At night, discover the full beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park by going stargazing, as the area is an International Dark Sky site. Since this is California’s largest state park, you will find an endless list of activities to do and places to explore.
1 of 2
jonmallard CC SA-BY 4.0
2 of 2
Marc Lautenbacher CC BY-SA 4.0
Bodie State Historic Park, California
Once a lawless mining town that sprung up in the heyday of the California Gold Rush, Bodie was left, like many other Old West towns, completely abandoned by the early 20th century. These days, it is arguably the best-preserved ghost town in the U.S.
Drive a few miles on a dirt road east of Yosemite National Park to get to Bodie, where you can explore the community former residents built up in one of the area’s most inhospitable environments. At 8,375 feet in elevation, without a tree in sight, Bodie is subject to high winds, freezing winters and scorching summers with no shade.
Before visiting, know that Bodie State Park is closed during the winter months because snow blocks the roads.
To preserve the structures, you can’t enter most buildings. Though there are exceptions like the town’s church, many of the homes, stores and other institutions of old Bodie remain closed off.
However, you can see quite a lot without ever stepping inside. Peak into the schoolhouse to see books strewn about the class and desks in place. Get a glimpse of the wares that still sit on the shelves of the general store. Admire the town’s two hotels, both still standing after shutting down more than a century ago.
To explore Bodie is to take a giant step back in time, to an era when the West was still relatively lawless, frontier territory, and Bodie was a booming 10,000-person town with near-daily gunfights in the streets.
Among the former residents’ belongings kept by those who preserved Bodie, a few select diary entries may be the most impactful, particularly one from a girl newly moved into town: “Goodbye, God, I’m going to Bodie.”
1 of 5
Arizona Office of Tourism
Sedona AOT Shoot
2 of 5
Red Rock Jeep Tours, Arizona Office of Tourism
3 of 5
Arizona Office of Tourism
Red Rock State Park
4 of 5
Arizona Office of Tourism
5 of 5
Arizona Office of Tourism
Sedona AOT Shoot
Red Rock State Park, Arizona
Red Rock State Park lies near the New-Age desert town of Sedona. The main attraction is right there in the name: a series of towering red rocks impressively jutting out of the Arizona landscape, known to most as the red rocks of Sedona.
Families love Red Rock, partly because of the well-maintained, interconnected 5 miles of trails that offer spectacular scenery without posing too much of a fitness challenge.
The most popular hike by far is Eagle’s Nest Trail, a 2.8-mile-loop that slowly climbs up a ridgeline until it rewards hikers with panoramic views of the famous red rocks of Sedona, before slowly descending again. Visitors should remember their SPF, hats and water bottles in the strong Arizona sun, as you will find little to no shade on this hike.
While exploring other trails in the park, you may also come across deer, coyotes or the adorable, near-sighted javelina. Javelinas are small, slightly furry pig-like animals that reside only in the southwestern U.S. and Latin America and are somewhat abundant at Red Rocks State Park.
BLM Utah
Goosenecks State Park, Utah
Utah is famous for the “Mighty Five,” acclaimed and highly visited National Parks that include Arches, Zion, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon. Given such impressive destinations, it’s no wonder that a state park like Goosenecks remains relatively unknown to outsiders.
It’s a shame because Goosenecks State Park has one of the most unique geographical formations in the country, reminiscent of Horseshoe Bend in Arizona. A millennia-old river winds through the park, wearing down the rock around it to such an extent that it has forged a series of canyons deep into the earth’s surface over time. This is technically known as an “entrenched river meander.”
Located in southeastern Utah, near the Arizona border, Goosenecks State Park is popular with locals who visit to picnic, camp and stargaze. Relax on one of the canyon ledges and admire the San Juan River as it flows through the impressively deep canyons below you. Or take some food with you, join the locals and enjoy a picnic with friends and family.
These state parks are a great introduction to lesser-known outdoor destinations in the region, but they are just a few of many. Keep exploring, as the Southwest has countless underrated gems waiting to be discovered.
When you go
- Valley of Fire State Park, https://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, https://theabf.org/ (call 760-767-4684 to check for wildflower bloom)
- Bodie State Park, https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509
- Red Rocks State Park, https://azstateparks.com/red-rock/
- Goosenecks State Park, https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goosenecks/