Last Updated on August 25, 2023
The East Coast of the United States is known for its humid subtropical and humid continental climates, which are not conducive to desert formation.
Deserts are typically found in arid and semi-arid climates, which are characterized by low rainfall and high evaporation rates, in order to qualify as a desert, an area of land must receive little to no precipitation.
As a result, there are no deserts in the East Coast of the United States.
As a matter of fact, the four major deserts of the US are all located in the Southwest.
The Chihuahuan Desert is the closest desert to the East Coast. It is located in the southwestern United States and Mexico, and it covers covers parts of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona.
Therefore, if you live in the East Coast and want to experience a “true” desert, your nearest destination would be Texas.
There are however a few locations in the East Coast that can give you a desert-like experience without driving that far:
Places in the East Coast That Feel Like a Desert
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a high-elevation park with a cooler climate than other parts of the East Coast. However, the park also has a lot of open space and rocky terrain, which can give it a desert-like feel.
The park is home to a variety of plant life, including pine trees, wildflowers, and shrubs.
The pine trees give the park a distinctive look, and the wildflowers bloom in the spring and summer. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, deer, and coyotes.
Activities you can enjoy there:
- Hiking: The park has over 800 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
- Camping: There are over 100 campgrounds in the park, offering a variety of camping options.
- Fishing: The park has over 300 miles of streams and rivers, making it a popular destination for fishing.
- Birdwatching: The park is home to over 200 species of birds, making it a great place to go birdwatching.
2. The Pine Barrens
The Pine Barrens is a region of New Jersey that is home to a variety of pine trees. The region also has a sandy soil, which can be reminiscent of desert terrain.
The Pine Barrens is a low-lying area, which means that it can get very hot in the summer.
Activities you can enjoy there:
- Hiking: There are over 100 miles of hiking trails in the Pine Barrens, ranging from easy to challenging.
- Camping: There are over 20 campgrounds in the Pine Barrens, offering a variety of camping options.
- Fishing: The Pine Barrens is home to over 300 species of fish, making it a popular destination for fishing.
- Birdwatching: The Pine Barrens is home to over 200 species of birds, making it a great place to go birdwatching.
- Off-road driving: The Pine Barrens is a popular destination for off-road driving. There are designated areas where you can drive your vehicle on the sand and dirt.
3. The Outer Banks
The Outer Banks is a barrier island chain that is known for its sandy beaches and dunes.
The Outer Banks also has a mild climate, which makes it a popular destination for people who are looking for a desert-like experience without having to travel too far from the East Coast.
The Outer Banks is home to the highest sand dunes in the East Coast, and is an especially good destionation for those looking into recreational activities at the beach.
Activities you can enjoy there:
- Swimming: The Outer Banks has some of the best beaches on the East Coast, making it a great place to go swimming.
- Surfing: The Outer Banks is also a popular destination for surfing.
- Kite flying: Kite flying is a popular activity in the Outer Banks, especially at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. The strong winds and open spaces make it a perfect place to fly kites.
- Hang gliding: Hang gliding is another popular activity in the Outer Banks. Hang gliders can take off from the dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park and soar over the beaches and dunes.
- Sandboarding: Sandboarding is a popular activity in the Outer Banks. Sandboards can be rented at many shops in the area.
Read also: The 10 Most Desert States in the US
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