The Southwest and its Deserts
National Parks, State Parks, Monuments, Cities, Towns and Museums
If you are planning a trip or would like to learn more about the parks, cities, recreation areas and points of interest in the desert, Places To Go is a great starting point. Here you can explore parks, discover ghost towns, navigate rivers, visit cities, and view historical and cultural sites located in the desert. If you are gathering information for an upcoming trip, make sure to confirm times, date and rates with individual parks etc., since any information could change without notice.
Click on the Map or Toolbar below to get information on each state . The state index page contains links to the Parks & Monuments, Recreation & Wilderness Areas (including BLM and USFS), Historic & Points of Interest, and Cities & Towns that are located within that state.
The
National Park Centennial Initiative - "As this country begins to
think about the centennial of the National Park Service [in 2016], it is appropriate
that we have a serious conversation about parks and their value to our society,
and the role we want parks and the National Park Service to play in the future," said
Dwight T. Pitcaithley, former Chief Historian, NPS, and present History Professor,
New Mexico State University, in his essay "On the Brink of Greatness: National
Parks and the Next Century," NPS Centennial Essay Series. Click here to read
more.
If you are inspired by adventure and outdoor activities, DesertUSA's Things To Do section will appeal to you. Things To Do offers recreational activities, including camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, climbing, walking, auto tours, bird watching and various water activities.. Rockhounding, prospecting and off-roading are also featured, with detailed information and maps for each location included in the section.
Places to Go
