The 10 Best Desert Getaways in the U.S.

About a two-hour drive north of Phoenix, Sedona is known for its gorgeous red sandstone formations and pine forest surroundings. The landscape offers an excellent range of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and horseback riding, though the spiritual reputation is another big draw for travelers. Sedona is said to have mystical powers due to "vortexes" -- concentrations of spiritual energy -- that have caused artists and New Agers to flock to the city to sell crystals, crafts, and fortunes. Though summers are hot (think temperatures in the mid-90s Fahrenheit), mild winters make it a suitable travel destination.




Our Hotel Pick: Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa Trademark Collection by Wyndham

Named for the trees that fill the park, Joshua Tree is a large desert park (slightly bigger than Rhode Island) located a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Los Angeles. Though it attracts campers and outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, it's especially popular with rock climbers due to the numerous boulders that dot the grounds. The aptly named Skull Rock and Arch Rock are top points of interest, as is the scenic, one-mile-long Hidden Valley trail. Several campgrounds are available, and nighttime provides excellent stargazing opportunities.




Our Hotel Pick: Spin and Margie's Desert Hideaway

Set just south of the breathtaking Arches National Park and a 30-minute drive from Canyonlands National Park, Moab is an ideal base for day-tripping to either. As such, outdoor activities abound here: Visitors have easy access to excellent mountain biking, whitewater rafting on the Colorado River, and ATV trails, in addition to scenic drives that are worth pulling the car over to snap a pic. Several tasty eateries, a variety of hotels, a regional hospital, and a brewery make Moab an attractive spot to sleep for those that don't want to pitch a tent, though expect lots of other tourists between March and October.




Our Hotel Pick: Aarchway Inn

Thanks to Santa Fe's prime location between the mountains and desert, outdoor activities are aplenty, but there's a lot more than hiking and biking in this small city. Declared a "creative city" by UNESCO, Santa Fe has a thriving arts community that blends American Indian, Southwestern, and Latino cultures. The downtown plaza is ripe with galleries and shops selling items like turquoise and silver jewelry, hand-painted pottery, and leather goods. Aside from shopping, there are numerous museums -- Museum of Indian Arts & Culture and Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, to name a couple -- historic churches, and Southwestern cuisine that includes moles, green chiles, and lots of burritos. Of course, the adobe architecture throughout and frequent outdoor markets and festivals are additional perks of this charming city.




Our Hotel Pick: Inn and Spa at Loretto

Las Vegas certainly offers a fair amount of sinful activities -- gambling at the casinos, late-night debauchery at buzzing clubs, and scandalous performances -- but there's another side to the party town. Just outside the downtown area, travelers can have more wholesome fun by exploring the Mojave Desert landscape. Red Rock Canyon has sensational hiking and biking opportunities, while Sloan Canyon has approximately 1,700 individual petroglyphs created by native artists. Plus, after a day working quads in the sun, a room at a luxe hotel along The Strip is far more appealing than a sleeping bag.




Our Hotel Pick: Wynn Las Vegas

The laid-back Palm Springs has had an evolving persona. Located a two-hour drive from Los Angeles in the Sonoran Desert, it first attracted health-conscious individuals with its dry heat and hot springs, followed by Hollywood starlets like Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor. These days, it plays host to LGBT-friendly parties and hip vacationers looking for little more than a poolside cocktail amid retro furnishings. For those who aren't content to simply relax, the sacred Native American sites, top-notch golf courses, and vintage shopping provide ample indoor and outdoor activities.




Our Hotel Pick: Two Bunch Palms

Though Marfa, Texas has appeared on lots of where-to-travel lists in the last couple of years, tourists should instead drive 90 minutes south to Big Bend National Park. Occupying 801,163 acres of land, the park includes the entire Chisos mountain range and a large portion of the Chihuahuan Desert. Its southern border is the flowing Rio Grande, with Mexico on the other side, allowing visitors to kayak between cliffs that rise up to 1,500 feet. Though strenuous, the South Rim hike culminates in a 2,000-foot gain with breathtaking vistas. Plus, there are bird-watching opportunities along the way.

Also known as "Old Pueblo," Tucson is the less-developed, more naturally beautiful alternative to Phoenix. Though a modern metropolis (it's the second-largest city in Arizona), the picturesque desert and mountain landscape (it's surrounded by multiple mountain ranges) helps it retain its outdoorsy appeal. The sun is almost always shining -- for all but around 15 days a year -- and the unsurprisingly hot summers make it a more attractive city to explore during the other seasons. There's lots of family-friendly fun to be had, but with all the luxury spas and wellness resorts, we think it screams romantic getaway or solo retreat.




Our Hotel Pick: Canyon Ranch in Tucson

Situated 90 minutes north of Santa Fe in New Mexico's high desert, Taos is a tiny town of around 6,000. Visitors can explore the more than 20 sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Taos, including the Chapel of Santa Cruz and Taos Pueblo. Archaeologists estimate that the latter, which is a collection of adobe homes and ceremonial buildings, has had occupants there for around 1,000 years. There are also multiple ski areas, hot air balloon rides, river rafting, and llama treks. For a more relaxed stay, hot springs, yoga studios, and holistic therapy treatments are in abundance here.




Our Hotel Pick: The Historic Taos Inn

A former mill town turned ski destination near the center of Oregon, Bend is considered to be in the high desert region of the state. Like most of Oregon, nature lovers will be in heaven with the bountiful ways to spend the day outdoors. There are summer and winter activities galore (think skiing, rock climbing, sled dog rides, and even visiting the Newberry Crater, a volcano with lava flows, caves, and lakes). During poor-weather days, there are breweries, museums, and even a trampoline park to keep all ages busy.




Our Hotel Pick: Wall Street Suites


What to Pack for Your Desert Trip: Sun Hat