Journey Through the Southwest, America's Most Striking Corner

The American Southwest is an amazing region of the world that I have had the pleasure of driving through on a couple of occasions. It's not just a visually striking place full of contrasts, from arid red rock deserts to towering snowcapped peaks, it plays a major role in the diverse cultural landscape of the United States, containing significant native and Spanish influences, just to name a couple.

Here is a rundown of this distinct corner of the country, from its geography to its top natural and cultural attractions, many of which I have experienced myself.

What is the American Southwest?

Geographically speaking, the borders of what is generally considered the Southwest spans from Texas, south to the Mexican border, east to California, and north to the southern reaches of the Pacific Northwest (sitting on Nevada's northern border). It encapsulates the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada, and significant chunks of Oklahoma, western Colorado, west Texas, and southern California.

This region is defined by its arid landscapes, dramatic elevation changes, and a huge diversity of interesting geological formations. The Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan Deserts dominate the lower elevations, featuring sparse vegetation, saguaro cacti, and extreme temperature fluctuations from day to night.

Higher up, The Colorado Plateau covers much of northern Arizona, southern Utah, and western New Mexico, and is known for its red rock formations, slot canyons, fields of sage plants, and high mesas. The Grand Canyon, possibly the most iconic natural landmark in the southwest, has been carved by the mighty Colorado River, an important source of water and energy for nearly the entire region. Further east, the Rio Grande flows through New Mexico and Texas, also supporting agriculture and urban centers in an otherwise dry climate.

Mountain ranges such as the Sangre de Cristo and the Sierra Nevadas rise above the deserts, creating cooler, forested environments, that again, greatly contrast the swelting deserts we generally visualize while thinking about the southwest. Volcanic fields, salt flats, and extensive cave systems dotted throughout also add to the region's geological variety, making it one of the most visually distinct and ecologically complex corners of the United States.

Must Visit Parks and Natual Features

With its vast size and relatively sparse population, the space has been filled with numerous state and national parks. And it wasn't hard for the government to find lands to protect due to their significant beauty and natural/cultural importance here. Let's highlight some of the most significant parklands in the Southwest that you can visit today.

Grand Canyon National Park

As mentioned before, the Grand Canyon National Park showcases one of the most well-known landscapes in the world. Formed by the Colorado River over millions of years, the canyon stretches 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and reaches depths of over a mile!

The South Rim, open year-round, offers most of the easily accessible viewpoints like Mather Point and Desert View. Beware the crowds and be sure to get there in good time if you want to catch a sunrise or sunset. I pulled an all-nighter in sub-zero temperatures in a nearby parking lot, and even I barely made the front of the line to get a good vantage point for my camera setup (and this was in mid-November, a "slow" time of the year). On the other hand, the North Rim, higher in elevation and less crowded, provides a more remote experience (at the cost of having far fewer amenities for visitors).

Hiking trails, including the Bright Angel and South Kaibab, descend into the canyon, revealing layers of geologic history dating back eons. Rafting the Colorado River offers another perspective on this vast and rugged natural wonder, but must be booked very well in advance.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park spans the convergence of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts near the far southern edge of California, creating a landscape of natural rock gardens and fascinating plantlife, including its namesake Joshua trees.

The park’s wonderful scenery attracts a variety of adventure seekers, like rock climbers, hikers, and campers. It is also a wonderful spot for stargazing, due to the light pollution-free skies in this open and underpopulated part of the state.

Hidden Valley and Barker Dam provide accessible trails, while a huge selection of more challenging routes can lead to remote corners of Joshua Tree. Furthermore, Keys View is a highly sought-after, high-elevation spot that will give you idyllic views of the Coachella Valley, and the Cholla Cactus Garden showcases dense clusters of spiny cacti. I made the mistake of brushing up against one, not realizing the needles these cacti grow are about as sharp and strong as your average doctor's needle.

I decided to stay late for a sunset, which was a fantastic idea, given that I caught one of the best on my 3-week trip around the region (which says a lot given the sheer amount of mind-blowing sunsets I regularly witnessed all around the Southwest).

Arches National Park

Arches National Park in eastern Utah contains over 2,000 natural stone arches, along with natural pinnacles, balanced rocks, and massive sandstone fins. The park’s eye-catching red rock landscape is shaped by wind and water erosion, creating unique formations like Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and the Windows.

You can choose to explore in a variety of ways, from scenic driving routes to short hikes, and more challenging trails such as the Fiery Furnace.

Both times I visited, the town of Moab sat nearby to provide me with accommodations, places to eat, and outfitters just in case I needed to pick up some gear.

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park, also in southeastern Utah and right around the corner from Arches, is a vast landscape of deep canyons, lofty mesas, and rugged rock formations formed by the Colorado and Green Rivers. The park is divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves.

Island in the Sky offers dramatic overlooks like Mesa Arch and Grand View Point, while The Needles features colorful sandstone spires and more of the park's remote hiking trails. The Maze is an isolated backcountry area requiring advanced navigation skills. White-water rafting through Cataract Canyon also provides an adventurous way to experience the park.

Bordering the park is Dead Horse Point State Park, a less crowded attraction with views that are just as good in some spots and a nice visitor center that will teach you more about both the human and natural histories of this magnificent landscape.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is both visually striking and has an interesting history. Once a hiding place for Wild West outlaws, this chunk of southwestern Utah is now a highly visited park that draws millions every year with its massive sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and excellent hiking options.

The Virgin River has carved Zion Canyon, where sheer rock walls rise over 2,600 feet! Popular hikes include Angels Landing, with its steep switchbacks and stunning views, and The Narrows, a trek through the river between narrow canyon walls. Scenic drives and shuttle routes provide easy access to some of these breathtaking viewpoints, something you may need to use as personal vehicles are not allowed at many of the park's trailheads during the busy summer season.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley, straddling the Arizona-Utah border, is renowned for its towering red sandstone buttes and sweeping desert plains. Managed by the Navajo Nation, this landscape has served as the backdrop for countless Western films and famous photographs, making it a must-visit for me, a landscape photographer and outspoken movie buff.

While here, I opted to explore the 17-mile Valley Drive in my rental car, offering close-up views of formations like the Mittens and Merrick Butte (photographed above). Guided tours, often led by Navajo guides, provide deeper insights into the cultural and historical significance of this area.

Sunrises and sunsets here are particularly amazing, and I totally agree, having caught, without a doubt, the best sunset during my trip one evening. Afterward, I headed over to the adjacent Monument Valley Tribal Park Visitor Center and The View Hotel, where I had a delicious and traditional Navajo meal from its dining room, one which has perhaps one of the best views from a restaurant I've ever experienced, with its massive windows facing the expansive valley off into the distance.

Regardless of when you come to visit Monument Valley, it stands out as perhaps the most iconic landscape of the Southwest, and as a landscape photographer myself, a true bucket list destination that I can now thankfully strike off.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, located just west of Las Vegas, is an easily accessible natural area that draws many to its gorgeous red sandstone formations, cliffs, and desert landscapes shaped by erosion.

The 13-mile auto route that circles the interior of the park gives access to just about all of its main overlooks, hiking trails, and rock climbing routes. Popular hikes include Calico Tanks and Ice Box Canyon, where views of unique geological features and seasonal waterfalls can be found.

This is one of the best and most accessible ways to experience the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert if you want to briefly make an escape from Sin City for an afternoon.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising up to 750 feet, a striking contrast against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains (a part of the Rocky Mountain range). The vast fields of sandy dunes create a constantly shifting landscape perfect for not only hiking but sandboarding and sledding too all throughout the year.

Beyond the dunes, the park includes a diverse mix of nearby alpine forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Medano Creek, which flows seasonally at the base of the dunes, even provides a rare desert oasis for a time.

The park’s remote location and minimal light pollution also make it another excellent destination in the Southwest for stargazing, offering unobstructed night skies over an already extraordinary natural setting.

Experience the Southwest, America's Rugged Natural Wonderland

These are just a handful of the Southwest's best offerings, and I haven't even touched upon many of the wonderful cities and towns that you ought to visit throughout. Whether you're in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Albuquerque, or beyond, there is so much to see and do within easy reach in this rugged corner of the country. From the alien-looking landscapes of Bryce Canyon to manmade wonders like the Hoover Dam, the destinations that you can add to your next road trip through the area are seemingly endless.