The Mojave Desert, which lies mostly within California, also stretches into small portions of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Death Valley National Park is the desert’s most notable attraction, but there is much to explore here. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, outside of Las Vegas, is popular for its rugged rock formations, while Mojave National Preserve features sand dunes, Joshua trees, and endless wildflowers.
The region attractions all kinds of visitors, from outdoorsy travelers interested in hiking and camping, to rock-climbing adventure-seekers, to those just passing through en route from Los Angeles or San Diego to Las Vegas or the Grand Canyon. Aerial Grand Canyon tours provide views of the desert from the sky, while multi-day US West road-trip tours stop at various parks and preserves.