17 Secret Desert Escapes Around the World With Incredible Views
There’s a sense of wonder in the desert, where the land stretches out far beyond what the eye can see. The silence is peaceful, broken only by the occasional breeze or the distant call of wildlife. In these places, the landscape is shaped by nature in ways that seem almost unreal, with formations that can take your breath away. The desert is a place of contrasts, where the heat of the day gives way to cool, star-filled nights. Those who venture into these remote areas are rewarded with some of the most spectacular views on Earth. Whether you’re standing on a mountain overlooking a vast valley or watching the sunset over a sea of sand, the desert offers an unmatched kind of beauty.
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Wadi Rum, Jordan
Wadi Rum is a vast desert in southern Jordan, renowned for its towering sandstone mountains and ancient petroglyphs. This desert is often referred to as the “Valley of the Moon,” due to its otherworldly terrain and dramatic landscapes.
The area offers a tranquil escape with breathtaking panoramic views, especially at sunrise and sunset. Visitors can explore the desert by jeep or camel, and its remoteness provides a peaceful setting for stargazing under some of the clearest skies in the world.
Death Valley National Park, USA
Located on the border between California and Nevada, Death Valley is the driest, hottest, and lowest national park in the United States. Known for its extreme conditions, it offers sweeping vistas of salt flats, rugged mountains, and colorful canyons.
The park’s unique landscape is particularly striking at sunrise when the low light casts long shadows across the desert. It’s an excellent destination for those seeking solitude and dramatic natural beauty, with numerous hiking trails and viewpoints offering remarkable views.
Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, is located in northern Chile and features a stark, breathtaking landscape. With its salt flats, volcanoes, and unique rock formations, this desert offers views that feel almost unreal.
Visitors can enjoy surreal vistas, such as the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), which resembles a lunar surface. The clarity of the night skies makes it a premier location for stargazing, with numerous observatories offering unforgettable views of distant galaxies.
Monument Valley, USA
Monument Valley is an iconic desert landscape straddling the Arizona-Utah border, known for its towering red sandstone formations. These natural monuments rise from the flat desert floor, creating a surreal and awe-inspiring sight that has been featured in countless films.
Exploring this area by guided tour offers a unique experience as you navigate through the valley, stopping to admire the striking monoliths. The views at sunset, when the formations are bathed in a golden glow, are especially mesmerizing.
Sahara Desert, Morocco
The Sahara Desert, covering much of North Africa, is famous for its vast expanse of sand dunes that stretch endlessly across the horizon. In Morocco, visitors can experience the desert by traveling to the Erg Chebbi dunes, where the landscape changes with the wind.
A camel trek through the dunes leads to a secluded oasis, offering serene views of the endless sand under the bright desert sun. The changing hues of the sand, especially at sunset, create a captivating and peaceful atmosphere.
Namib Desert, Namibia
The Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world, is located along the Atlantic coast of Namibia. The desert is home to the famous red dunes of Sossusvlei, which are some of the tallest in the world, offering a stunning sight against the clear blue sky.
Climbing these towering dunes provides an extraordinary perspective of the desert’s vastness. The area is perfect for photographers, as the interplay of light and shadow throughout the day creates dramatic landscapes.
Kubu Island, Botswana
Kubu Island is a remote destination in the Makgadikgadi Pan, a vast salt flat in Botswana. The island is surrounded by dry, cracked earth and ancient baobab trees, creating a surreal landscape that seems almost otherworldly.
Visitors can explore the area’s ancient archaeological sites and take in the vast, open views. The solitude and silence of Kubu Island provide an escape from modern life, while the incredible sunsets over the salt pans are simply unforgettable.
Desert of the Tatacoa, Colombia
The Tatacoa Desert in Colombia is a unique blend of arid landscapes and dramatic rock formations. It is divided into two distinct areas: the red desert and the gray desert, each offering different hues and striking views.
Visitors can take long walks through the arid terrain or explore the desert at night, when the clear skies offer one of the best stargazing experiences in the world. The peaceful and remote environment makes this an excellent destination for reflection and exploration.
White Sands National Park, USA
White Sands National Park, located in New Mexico, is home to the largest gypsum dune field in the world. The stark white sands stretch across the desert landscape, creating a surreal and beautiful vista that is unlike any other desert.
The park offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking and sledding down the dunes. The sight of the sun setting over the glistening sands is especially striking, with the dunes taking on a soft pink hue as the light fades.
Rann of Kutch, India
The Rann of Kutch, located in Gujarat, India, is a vast salt marsh known for its dramatic and pristine landscapes. The area is especially captivating during the Rann Utsav, a cultural festival held every year, when the desert comes alive with dance, music, and vibrant colors.
By day, the endless white salt plains create an almost blindingly beautiful sight, while at night, the skies become a stargazer’s paradise. The solitude and stark beauty of this area make it a perfect destination for those seeking peace and an unforgettable view.
Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan
The Kyzylkum Desert, located between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers in Uzbekistan, is an expansive desert known for its harsh beauty. The desert’s name translates to “Red Sands,” referencing its distinctive reddish-brown dunes and arid terrain.
The desert’s remote nature makes it a great location for those looking to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. With minimal light pollution, the area also offers spectacular views of the night sky, with stars scattered across the expanse.
Pinnacles Desert, Australia
The Pinnacles Desert, part of Nambung National Park in Western Australia, is famous for its unique limestone formations that rise out of the golden sand. These natural spires create an almost otherworldly landscape that is perfect for photography and exploration.
The park offers both self-guided walks and tours to get up close to these striking formations. The shifting light throughout the day provides new perspectives of the pinnacles, with sunsets over the desert offering especially breathtaking views.
Valle de la Muerte, Chile
Valle de la Muerte, or “Death Valley,” is located within the Atacama Desert in Chile and is known for its eerie, rugged beauty. This desert valley features sharp, jagged rock formations and deep canyons, creating a dramatic landscape that is perfect for adventurous travelers.
Visitors can explore the valley on foot or bike, taking in the unique desert views. The area is particularly stunning at sunset, when the colors of the rocks and sky transform into a striking mix of oranges, reds, and purples.
Taklamakan Desert, China
The Taklamakan Desert, located in the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, is one of the largest and most inhospitable deserts in the world. Despite its harsh conditions, the desert offers vast sand dunes and unique desert landscapes, making it a fascinating destination.
The desert is rich in history, with ancient Silk Road cities such as Kashgar located nearby. The expansive vistas and quiet solitude provide an escape for those looking for both adventure and natural beauty in a remote setting.
Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter), Saudi Arabia
The Rub’ al Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter, is the largest continuous sand desert in the world, stretching across much of the Arabian Peninsula. This vast desert is known for its massive sand dunes, some reaching heights of over 800 feet, offering an awe-inspiring sight.
The desert’s immense emptiness creates a feeling of isolation and tranquility, making it a perfect location for those looking to connect with nature. The beauty of the dunes, particularly when the sun casts long shadows, creates an unforgettable desert landscape.
Badain Jaran Desert, China
The Badain Jaran Desert is known for its incredible sand dunes, some of which are the tallest in the world, reaching up to 1,500 feet. This desert, located in Inner Mongolia, features a unique landscape of both rolling dunes and desert lakes.
The desert is also home to ancient Buddhist temples, which provide a fascinating cultural addition to the natural beauty of the area. Visitors can explore the sand dunes on camels, taking in the vast vistas and the incredible isolation of this remote desert.
Sonoran Desert, USA/Mexico
The Sonoran Desert, spanning parts of Arizona, California, and Mexico, is one of the most diverse deserts in the world. Known for its iconic saguaro cacti, the desert’s unique plant life and vibrant landscapes provide an impressive desert escape.
The desert offers numerous trails, allowing hikers to explore its varied terrain, from rocky outcrops to sandy plains. The views are especially stunning during wildflower season when the desert floor comes alive with color, creating a beautiful contrast with the arid surroundings.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.