Deserts are more than barren, hot landscapes; they are rich environments where durable plants and animals with specialized adaptations flourish. Since deserts are defined as areas having 10 inches of rainfall a year, what constitutes a desert is varied. There are semi-arid deserts, cold deserts, high-altitude deserts, and coastal deserts.
If you have hesitated to camp in the desert, ReserveAmerica is here to tell you to go for it! Trailer camping is a great way to get your feet wet (so to speak) in the desert. Compared to tent camping, trailer camping allows you to bring more comforts from home and have more control over the temperature in your sleeping space.
Below are seven campsites in the desert perfect for your next trailer camping trip.
1. Navajo State Park, Colorado
Navajo State Park features a giant reservoir with over 15,000 surface-acres of water for all-year boating, fishing, and camping. Considered Colorado’s version of Lake Powell, this large body of water is a huge draw for water sport enthusiasts. Campers can also explore hiking trails and may spot wild turkeys, deer, and fox. There are 138 campsites, with 39 full hook-ups and 40 electric hookups for RVs.
2. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, New Mexico
Beloved for its rugged and majestic scenery, this state park is situated in the high New Mexican mountains. As part of the Chihuahuan Desert, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is very much an arid environment, but one that is brightened with a year-round stream running straight through the heart of the park. Thanks to this flowing water, unique desert flora and fauna flourish here, such as cottonwoods, desert willows, fern, and cattail. If you are lucky, you may spy mule deer, badgers, cougars, and coati. The park has 43 campsites, with 16 sites with electric hookups for RVs.
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3. Quail Creek State Park, Utah
Situated in the spectacular red rock desert country of southern Utah, Quail Creek State Park is a perfect spot to avoid the crowds at nearby national parks while still having access to the park grounds. The park itself is a destination, with its stunning scenery of rolling red hills set against a large blue reservoir. The waters are stocked with rainbow trout, bullhead catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass, making it a favorite fishing hole for regional anglers. With year-round sunshine, the park is an anytime destination for fishing, boating, picnicking, and camping. There are 24 campsites at the park with 13 standard and 9 partial hookups.
4. Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Oregon
Although this state park is located on the western edge of the Colorado Plateau, it is home to plants and animals typical of an arid region. Mojave Desert flora, such as Utah agave, banana yucca, scrub oak, and single-leaf ash grow in the lowlands and along the dry washes. Pinyon pine and Utah juniper dot the rocky slopes of the higher elevations.
Believe it or not, you can find federally-listed threatened Mojave Desert species, like tortoise, Gila monster, and chuckwalla reptiles here. There is plenty of bird watching to be had too, since this is home to golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and the western screen owl, among other raptors. The legendary Deschutes River winds its way through the dry landscape.
There are 35 campsites that can accommodate RVs, but be prepared; there are no hookups at this rustic spot.
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5. Monahans Sandhills State Park, Texas
Characterized by a landscape of rolling hills of sand, this park is a desert-lover’s dream. Explore the sand dunes on foot or horseback. There are no marked trails, but plenty of space to discover plants, wildflowers, and desert animals that thrive in this challenging environment.
For thrill-seekers, sand disks are available for rent to surf the dunes. There is also a visitor’s center featuring the park and its natural and cultural history. There are 26 campsites available with water and electricity.
Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Plan your camping trip!