The deserts of the American West are not one place. The Mojave, with its Joshua trees and low basins, can be blazing in summer and pleasant in winter. The Great Basin, a vast high desert stretching across most of Nevada, sits higher and colder, with sagebrush flats between long north-south mountain ranges. Both offer extraordinary camping, and both demand respect.
This guide covers the fundamentals that apply across western deserts.
Timing is everything
Season matters more for desert camping than for any other square on the grid.
- Low desert (much of the Mojave): most comfortable from roughly October through April. Summer daytime heat in the lowest basins can be extreme and dangerous.
- High desert (Great Basin): spring and fall are often ideal. Summer is warm by day but cools quickly at night; winter brings real cold and occasional snow.
- Shoulder seasons: expect large daily temperature swings. A 40-degree difference between afternoon and pre-dawn is not unusual.
If you do camp in warm months, read our guide to staying cool in desert heat before you go.
Water: carry all of it
Assume there is no water at your campsite unless an official source tells you otherwise, and even then, carry a backup. A widely used planning figure is at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and basic cooking, with more for hot weather, exertion or washing. Store some water in the vehicle as a reserve that you do not touch until you are heading home.
- Use several smaller containers rather than one large one, so a single leak does not end the trip.
- Keep water shaded; hot water is unpleasant to drink, which leads people to drink less.
- Bring electrolytes or salty snacks to replace what you sweat out.
Shade, wind and sand
Desert campsites are often fully exposed. Shade is the most valuable thing you can create. A tarp, a freestanding canopy that can be staked firmly, or the shadow of your vehicle all help. Be careful: desert wind can arrive suddenly and with real force.
- Use longer sand stakes or bury stakes horizontally as deadman anchors in soft ground.
- Take down canopies when you leave camp or when the wind builds.
- Keep tent doors zipped to keep out sand, and pitch with the narrow profile into the wind.
Flash floods
Even when the sky above you is clear, a thunderstorm miles away can send a flash flood down a dry wash. Never camp in a wash, a slot canyon or a low spot in a drainage. Choose slightly higher ground, and pay attention to forecasts during summer monsoon season, which can bring storms to parts of the Southwest and Great Basin.
Fragile soils and plants
Many desert areas are covered by biological soil crust, a living layer of cyanobacteria, lichens and mosses that holds the soil together. It can take decades to recover once crushed. Stay on established roads, use existing campsites, and walk on rock, gravel or in dry washes when exploring off trail. Desert plants grow slowly, so do not cut or collect them for firewood or decoration.
Wildlife
Desert wildlife is mostly shy and nocturnal. A few habits keep everyone safe:
- Shake out boots and clothing before putting them on.
- Use a headlamp when walking at night, and watch where you put your hands and feet.
- Give rattlesnakes plenty of room; they generally avoid people if given space.
- Keep food sealed; ravens and rodents are clever thieves.
Campfires and stoves in dry country
Firewood is scarce in most deserts, and the plants that do grow there are slow to recover, so gathering wood is often prohibited and always discouraged. Fire restrictions are also common in dry seasons. A gas stove handles cooking, and a lantern provides light. If fires are permitted and you want one, bring wood purchased locally, use an existing fire ring or a fire pan, keep it small and make sure it is completely cold before you leave or go to sleep. Wind is the biggest risk: a single gust can carry embers far into dry grass.
Packing beyond the basics
On top of your usual camping kit, desert trips benefit from a few additions:
- Extra water containers and a funnel.
- A shade tarp with long stakes and extra guylines.
- Sun protection: wide-brim hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and long, loose sleeves.
- Warm layers for nights that can fall below freezing in winter and shoulder seasons.
- A spare tire, tire repair kit and air compressor for rough roads.
- A paper map and a written note of your route, left with someone at home.
Navigation and remoteness
Desert roads can be long, sandy and confusing, with many unsigned junctions. Download offline maps, carry a paper map, tell someone your plans, and turn back if a road becomes rougher than your vehicle can handle. A full-size spare tire, a basic tool kit and extra water in the car are sensible minimums.
The reward: desert nights
When the sun goes down, the desert changes character. Temperatures fall, the wind often eases, and the sky turns into a field of stars. Some of the darkest skies in the continental United States are found in desert and Great Basin parks. Read stargazing camping trips for tips on timing your visit with the moon.
Related squares
Desert trips pair well with car camping, since a vehicle makes water hauling easier. For the cold side of high-desert nights, see winter camping.