The largest deserts in the world you want to visit

Great Salt Lake National Park

Located in Utah State Park at 1,680 square mi², which has a water depth that reaches 20 ft. above the lake bed, the Great Salt Lake has been referred to as one of the most beautiful deserts in the west. It covers more than 11,000 sq miles and offers up a variety of hiking opportunities, including both rugged hiking trails and easy walking tracks. At its deepest point, there’s a drop of nearly 30 feet that only requires a rope ladder to enter, making it very accessible for those who want to explore it. There are three different areas within the park that offer views of the lake through either the rim of rock or from below. Although there are plenty of other places to visit where even fewer people are allowed, like Bryce Canyon National Park.

Death Valley National Park

This vast portion of Nevada is home to several national parks, but if you are looking for one of the drier spots in California, look no further than the Deadliest Place On Earth! Located just outside Las Vegas, Clark County, at 23,000 acres long and almost 3,000 miles long. This spot is filled with sand dunes, giant salt crystals, hot springs, cacti, cactus forests, black rocks, and plenty of wildlife to help keep your kids entertained. You’ll also find sand dunes just about everywhere in the park! When you go to see these natural wonders, make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen. If a visitor needs some extra protection, then their local officials recommend that you take an umbrella with you.

Rakaposhi Reserve Desert

One of Australia's most stunning deserts, Rakaposhi Reserve was created in 1960 in order to protect over 300,000 hectares of land from potential development. Since then, it has become one of the richest ecosystems in the Australian region. Here, a number of endangered species live, while others are becoming extinct. One of the first animals to arrive to this area was the red-faced cactus (Cactophora tardus). The plant thrives well in low light conditions, and when the sun comes out, its leaves dry out. However, since the 1970s, the population of Cactophora has dropped drastically and now only remains in captivity. Today, tourists come to explore parts of this desert which includes walking paths, climbing walls, nature lodges, and hikes throughout the reserve.

Borneo National Park

Borneo National Park is a relatively new attraction that opened to the public a few years back, and it is quickly becoming one of the best kept secrets in Southeast Asia. This large piece of land spans over 13,500 km², with a number of features that attract thousands of visitors every year. First, it is very far away from civilization and therefore, does not compete with big cities. Secondly, during monsoon season (usually in June), this place gets flooded, making traveling around extremely dangerous. Of course, the landscape itself is amazing, because of all of the caves, lagoons, sand dunes, and greenery. But there are a lot of things that could put visitors off completely, like the massive amount of wildlife there. As you can imagine, getting lost in these large spaces can be very difficult and often leads to death. Due to the extreme weather that affects Borneo National, it makes sense that many guides are usually only available to visitors during travel times. So don’t let this stop you from making a trip to Borneo. Just know this country is dangerous enough without having hundreds of wild animals running around and killing visitors.

Petra Dam

There is so much beauty when exploring this gorgeous, mysterious, and unique city! Set aside a day to visit this historical site, which is known for being one of the five wonders of the World. Built in 1993, it houses 5,000 years of history, with a spectacular view of Mount Jordan to the north. While visiting your chosen destination, you should always bear in mind to wear proper clothing, and the best way to do this is to hire someone to show you around. Another great option is to use Google Street View in order to see what kind of information can be found using this app. Other locations worth checking out are the ruins of ancient temples nearby (it’s hard to believe that these were built in modern times) as well as seeing the incredible architecture and art throughout, like Roman and Venetian palaces.

Ayer Island

Ayer Island is situated in Washington state in between Port Orchard and Puget Sound. Like every island, Ayer has its own distinct charm, but one of the reasons why it isn't seen as widely as surrounding islands is due to its location. Because of its isolation, it has never experienced harsh weather conditions and thus, it maintains many trees, plants, and plants. What attracts even more visitors to the island is its unusual appearance. Instead of a plain, white stone, it contains greenish stones, white sand, and a color called “Ayerite”. When you step inside the museum, you will notice how the colors come together, creating patterns. Similar to how we build homes, buildings are made using this material. All of the homes shown in the museum came from construction workers who live on this small island. They work every single day until 6 pm, where they leave after spending the entire day working on building houses. Unlike most islands, tourists aren't permitted to climb down to Ayer Island, but instead you can walk around and get your breath taken away by all of the various structures.

Mar del Plata Volcano

While most tour operators don’t have access to this volcano, you can actually make the trek up from San Juan/Los Altos via a paved road. Visiting this mountain will give you an unforgettable experience of driving past two peaks, Mt. Hood and Mount St. Helens. This massive volcano erupted on April 19th, 2019 and continues to erupt with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit (30 Celsius). Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes while traveling on the peak of Mt Hood because the scorching heat is unbearable during the summer months. Be prepared to stay overnight, because the next morning will bring rain. Even though lava fountains run along both sides of St. Helens, you should avoid going into their path, because that’s when the molten ground underneath the cliff collapses. Also, remember to get your phone charged so you don't lose data, and don’t forget to carry your camera with you because you can’t rely solely on pictures. Make sure you are wearing good footwear.

Todai Glacier

Todai Glacier lies on the east coast of Japan. It is roughly 12,000 meters high and stretches into the Pacific Ocean. Todai glacier is separated from the mainland by the sea, meaning that it is surrounded by oceanic waters. Being in this part of the planet means that certain elements in the ecosystem are lacking. That’s where the name Todai comes from, which translates to snow-cone – a term used to describe a deep valley of ice. When it runs through this valley, it results in glaciers that extend deeper and farther, causing a series of valleys and mountains. These valleys create incredibly dramatic landscapes, and the reason why Japan is famous for its scenery.

Horseshoe Bend in Colorado Springs

This famous horseshoe bend on the Rio Grande River is one of the most photographed sites in the Western Hemisphere, and while it’s true that most people are able to capture a glimpse of it, you will not be able to cover it all with your smartphone camera. Luckily, if you’re interested in trying to capture photos of something lesser known, this must be the right place to start. Once you’ve captured a picture of it and clicked it, try to zoom in and get as close as possible to the actual site. Using software such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom will ensure you can make the image look better and allow for more detail in your photo.

Carpathia Mountains

Located in Bulgaria, Macedonia, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Carpathia Mountains is a collection of volcanic cones that sits atop Karakoram Mountain. There are a number of options to choose from when planning your journey to the area. For example, you may take a hike, car ride, or simply boat to reach the base of the mountain. According to Lonely Planet, approximately 4,000 people a year visit Carpathia mountains, but it is likely that less than half will venture out on vacation because of the fact that it’s too hot. Furthermore, you should plan on staying in popular tourist areas and avoiding areas with poor infrastructure or too expensive. Getting accommodation on the mountain is pretty simple and affordable. Just make sure this option is included in your itinerary before you head