Last Updated on January 17, 2024

The Utah desert is a vast and varied landscape, covering about 45% of the state.

There are three major deserts in Utah: the Great Salt Lake Desert, the Colorado Plateau Desert, which is sometimes considered to be part of the Mojave Desert, and the Uinta Basin Desert.

The Great Salt Lake Desert is Utah’s largest desert, spanning over 2,000 square miles.

The Colorado Plateau Desert is a high-elevation desert renowned for its rocky terrain, deep canyons, and towering mesas.

Last but not least, the tiny Uinta Basin Desert is home to incredible natural hot springs and surrounded by forests.

With so much to offer, the deserts of Utah are popular travel destionations for adventure seekers, hikers, and outdoors enthusiasts.

Great Salt Lake Desert

Deserts of Utah: Great Salt Lake Desert
Great Salt Lake Desert

The Great Salt Lake Desert, Utah’s largest desert, spans over 2,000 square miles. Its flat, salty expanse supports minimal plant and animal life.

Notable among its features are the Bonneville Salt Flats National Park, housing the world’s largest salt flats.

This desert is inhabited by brine shrimp, alkali flies, and occasional coyotes or bighorn sheep.

The Great Salt Lake Desert is a popular destination for photographers, speed racers, and people who enjoy outdoor recreation.

The salt flats are a great place to go for a walk, bike ride, or drive.


Bonneville Salt Flats National Park

Home to the world’s largest salt flats, this park is a magnet for photographers and speed racers. Its vast white expanses attract visitors for leisurely walks, bike rides, and the annual Speed Week, where land speed racing enthusiasts gather.

The salt flats are formed by the evaporation of water from the Great Salt Lake. The water in the Great Salt Lake is very salty, and when it evaporates, it leaves behind a layer of salt.

The salt flats are so flat that they are used as a measuring device for land speed racing.

The annual Speed Week is held at the Bonneville Salt Flats National Park in August. This event attracts land speed racers from all over the world.

The racers compete to see who can break the land speed record. The current land speed record is 763.035 miles per hour, set by Gary Gabelich in 1970.


Wendover Airfield

Wendover Airfield is a historic airfield that is located near the Bonneville Salt Flats National Park.

The airfield was built in 1942 during World War II. It was used as a training base for pilots who were training to fly in the Pacific Theater.

After the war, Wendover Airfield was used for a variety of purposes, including land speed racing and nuclear testing.

The airfield is now a popular tourist destination. Visitors can take tours of the airfield and learn about its history.


Colorado Plateau Desert

Deserts of Utah:
Colorado Plateau Desert

Encompassing half of Utah, the Colorado Plateau Desert is a high-elevation desert renowned for its rocky terrain, deep canyons, and towering mesas.

Its diverse flora includes ponderosa pines, juniper trees, and sagebrush. Wildlife such as bighorn sheep, elk, and deer also call this desert home.

The Colorado Plateau Desert is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, camping, and rock climbing.

The desert is also a popular destination for birdwatching and stargazing.


Arches National Park

Famous for its collection of over 2,000 natural arches, including iconic Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch, this park offers hiking trails and scenic drives.

Arches National Park is a must-visit for any fan of natural beauty. The park is home to over 2,000 natural arches, including Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch. These arches are formed by the erosion of sandstone over millions of years.

The park also features a variety of other geological features, such as towering fins, balanced rocks, and sandstone spires.

There are a number of hiking trails in Arches National Park, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some of the most popular trails include Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail, Landscape Arch Trail, and Double Arch Trail.

The park also offers a number of scenic drives, including the Arches Scenic Drive and the Delicate Arch Viewpoint Drive.


Canyonlands National Park

Home to striking canyons like The Needles and The Maze, this park invites visitors to hike through its rugged landscapes or enjoy scenic drives along the rim.

Canyonlands National Park is a vast and rugged landscape that is home to a variety of canyons, mesas, and buttes.

The park is divided into three districts: The Needles, The Maze, and Island in the Sky. Each district offers its own unique set of experiences.

The Needles district is known for its towering spires and canyons. The Maze district is a labyrinth of canyons and mesas that is best explored by hiking or backpacking.

Island in the Sky district is home to a scenic mesa with panoramic views of the surrounding canyons.

No matter which district you choose to explore, you’re sure to be amazed by the beauty of Canyonlands National Park.

The park is a great place to go hiking, camping, and rock climbing. It’s also a popular destination for birdwatching and stargazing.


Capitol Reef National Park

This park boasts orchards, farms, canyons, and monoliths. Explorers can hike through orchards, farms, and enjoy picturesque drives along the Scenic Drive.

Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden gem in Utah. The park is home to orchards, farms, canyons, and monoliths.

The orchards and farms are a reminder of the area’s history as a homesteading settlement. The canyons and monoliths are the result of millions of years of erosion.

There are a number of hiking trails in Capitol Reef National Park, ranging from easy to strenuous. Some of the most popular trails include Hickman Bridge Trail, Scenic Drive Trail, and Capitol Reef Scenic Drive.

The park also offers a number of scenic drives, including the Scenic Drive and the Hickman Bridge Viewpoint Drive.

The park is a great place to go hiking, camping, and stargazing. It’s also a popular destination for photography and geology enthusiasts.


Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

The Coral Pink Sand Dunes are located in the southwestern corner of the Colorado Plateau Desert.

They are made up of windblown sand that has been eroded by garnet crystals.

The garnet crystals are found in the underlying Navajo Sandstone, which is a type of sandstone that is rich in iron oxide.

The iron oxide in the Navajo Sandstone reacts with the oxygen in the air to form a pink pigment.

When the windblown sand is eroded by the garnet crystals, it takes on a pink color.

Visitors can explore the area, go sandboarding on the pink sand dunes, or simply enjoy the breathtaking scenery.


Uinta Basin Desert

Deserts of Utah: Uinta Basin Desert
Fantasy Canyon, Uinta Basin Desert

Nestled in Utah’s northeastern corner, the Uinta Basin Desert features sagebrush and juniper trees. It provides habitat for pronghorn antelope, coyotes, bobcats, and boasts inviting hot springs.

The Uinta Basin Desert is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and fishing.

There are a number of trails in the desert that lead to scenic viewpoints, hot springs, and other points of interest.

The desert is also home to a number of campgrounds, where visitors can stay overnight.

If you are looking for a place to experience the beauty and solitude of the desert, the Uinta Basin Desert is a great option.

It is a quiet and peaceful place where you can enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature.


Fantasy Canyon

Fantasy Canyon is a small canyon located in the northeastern corner of Utah. It is a popular destination for hikers and photographers.

The canyon is home to a variety of colorful rock formations, including pinnacles, pillars, and arches.

These formations were created by the erosion of sandstone over millions of years.

The hike to Fantasy Canyon is relatively easy, making it a great option for families and people of all fitness levels.

The trail is about 1.5 miles long and takes about an hour to complete. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow.

Once you reach the canyon, you will be amazed by the beauty of the rock formations. The colors of the rocks range from red to orange to yellow.

The formations are also very photogenic, making Fantasy Canyon a popular destination for photographers.


Mystic Hot Springs

Mystic Hot Springs is a collection of natural hot springs located in the Uinta Basin Desert in Utah.

The springs are fed by the Fremont Fault, which is a geological fault that runs through the area. The springs range in temperature from 100 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mystic Hot Springs is a popular destination for people who want to relax and soak in the warm water.

The springs are also said to have healing properties. The springs are open year-round, and there are a number of different pools to choose from.

There are a few different ways to get to Mystic Hot Springs. The springs are located about 10 miles outside of the town of Roosevelt, Utah.

Visitors can drive to the springs, or they can take a shuttle from the town of Roosevelt.


Read also: Where to Find Sand Dunes in Utah

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