It’s no secret that road-tripping the Southwest is considered a love affair for desert lovers. Home to a vast array of varried landscapes and drool-worthy scenery, this region of the United States has a little bit of everything to offer visitors.
If you’re currently planning your first visit to this stunning region, it might be overwhelming to plan the process. Seriously, with so many astounding destinations to choose from, how do you even begin narrowing down where to go?
Here’s a little reality check for you: One single trip to the Southwest isn’t enough to even start scratching the surface. The good, news, though? You’ll become addicted to traveling the region. And will definitely start plotting a return as soon as you get back home. Which is how I ended up moving from Indiana to Arizona back in 2013 :).
From Moab’s awe-inspiring desert charm to the never-ending sand dunes of White Sands National Parks, these are the 6 places you need to visit in Southwest USA to tackle on your road trip!
6 Places You Need to Visit in Southwest USA
1. Moab, Utah
Ever wondered what a trip to Mars would look like? Even though visiting outer space isn’t a possibility (yet), a visit to Moab is
Whether you’re keen to tackle easy trails to get a taste of what hiking in the desert is like or you want to challenge your legs on a serious backpacking adventure, what makes Moab one of the best destinations for first-timers in the Southwest is the fact that it’s got a little something for everyone to enjoy.
From going in search of natural arches at Arches National Park to doing some serious backcountry hiking in The Needles District at Canyonlands or trying your hand at rock climbing, there is no shortage of bucket-list-worthy things to do at this magical desert haven.
2. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Ancient petroglyphs spread all over the place, red sandstone rock formations illuminating the valley, and an epic landscape
Set in the heart of the Mojave Desert, Valley of Fire is home to 46,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone. Which make the entire landscape look almost like it’s, well… on fire.
Even though its name may not make it sound like the friendliest place to visit, Valley of Fire State Park actually happens to be one of the best destinations for first-timers hiking in the desert. That’s because most of the trails here are short and sweet.
Choosing what trails to take depends on your interests. But for the best petroglyph sightings, the Atlatl Rock Trail and Mouse’s Tank Hike are superb options. If you’re feeling more up in the mood for some seriously striking vistas, the Fire Wave Hike and the Rainbow Vista Trail are both guaranteed to get your mouth dropping right to the ground.
If you’re not too keen on hiking, though, that’s cool! You can always check out the park’s main highlights by driving down Mouse’s Tank Road. Which provides some of the top viewpoints in the park so you can check out the highlights without having to break a sweat.
3. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Although small, White Sands National Park is home to a vast array of epic sights and fun things to do. Set in the heart of the
During your visit, make sure to walk on the Interlude Boardwalk to discover the flora and fauna of the area (yep, you wouldn’t expect it in the desert. But lots of animals and plants call White Sands their home, including foxes, bobcats, and porcupines).
Another super fun thing to do while visiting is to buy a sled and host a sliding competition with your travel buddies. Before you leave, make sure you also book a spot at the Sunset Stroll. Which is a ranger-guided walk where you’ll get to learn all about White Sands’s unique geology. As an added bonus, the program is timed to finish at sunset. Which will give you the chance to get a breath-taking view of the sun disappearing into the mountains.
4. Sedona, Arizona
A long, long time ago, geological forces cut rifts deep into what we now know as the Colorado Plateau. As a result, Sedona’s
During your visit, don’t miss out on ticking off a few of the hiking trails on the menu (there are more than a hundred of them on offer), camping (or glamping, of course) under a billion stars, and get your nerd on by visiting a few of the museums in town to learn all about Sedona’s history and heritage (The Sedona Heritage Museum is an absolute must in your itinerary!)
5. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Tucked high above in the cliffs of western Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most unique destinations to visit
Even though no one really knows what led to the collapse of the area’s society way back in time, today, you can learn all about Ancestral Puebloans by exploring the ruins they left behind.
Related: The Ultimate Utah Road Trip for Some Serious Desert Magic
6. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Don’t let its small size fool you. Bryce Canyon may be one of the tiniest national parks in the United States, but it still has
Hoodoos (also known as fairy chimneys) are the staple of Bryce Canyon, and the best way to see them is by bearing the famous Queen’s Garden to Navajo Loop trail. Even though it’s not actually very long, this hiking trail will have you winding your way through rock tunnels that look out of this world, pine forests so beautiful you won’t believe, and the iconic sandstone hoodoos that look as though they belong on an entirely different planet.
If you’re not too keen on going on a hike, though, Bryce Canyon can also be explored from the comfort of your car. Grab your keys and drive all the way down to Rainbow Viewpoint. On the way back, go slowly and stop at the 13 viewpoints on offer, all of which are guaranteed to leave ooh-aah-ing.
I hope this list of the best destinations in the Southwest helped you plot the perfect itinerary for your visit. Honestly? An entire lifetime would not be enough to tick off every place in your bucket list, but these destinations are a wonderful way to start getting acquainted with the area (trust me on this one: you’ll definitely be back for more Southwest adventures!)
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