Top 5 Tips for Desert Adventures

Whether you’re a hiker, climber, mountain biker, or car camper, fall is quite possibly the best time of the year to explore the desert. The weather is beautiful, and the crowds are usually smaller than those you’ll find in the spring—after everybody’s been cooped up all winter without seeing much sun. While the deserts of the American Southwest are amazing and otherworldly places to explore, they also come with some unique challenges for adventurers of all types. Make sure your next desert trip is fun, safe, and sustainable by keeping a few key things in mind.

Have a Hydration Plan

Even after the peak of summer has passed, staying hydrated is still a major concern any time you go to the desert. Dry weather and direct sun can cause dehydration to sneak up on you, even if you don’t think you’ve been sweating all that much. Reliable water sources can be hard to come by in the desert, which means in many cases you’ll have to pack, cache, or carry whatever water you’ll need. Make sure to overestimate how much water you’ll go through. It’s a pretty safe rule of thumb to just double whatever you were planning on bringing—chances are, you’ll be glad you did.

Keep It Shady

While it’s almost inevitable you’ll be getting lots of sun on your desert trip, having the occasional option to stay out of the sun will make your experience much more enjoyable. Keeping in mind the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, a good topographical map can help you plan out where and when you’ll have sun or shade at different times of the day—very useful when picking campsites, or planning routes through places like sun-exposed canyons. If you’ll be car camping or traveling with a support vehicle, a deployable awning, canopy, or sun shelter will be one of the best quality-of-life upgrades you can give yourself. There won’t necessarily be a big shade tree to provide refuge from the sun, so “bringing your own” shade will be a welcome creature comfort after you’ve been exerting yourself in the sun for hours on end.

Dress for Success

Desert temperatures can swing significantly between daytime highs and nighttime lows—especially in the fall—so be prepared with versatile layers that will help you adapt to changing weather. You’ll likely want to have UV-blocking shirts and a wide-brimmed hat during the day, but for chilly nights or early mornings you’ll be happy to have a beanie, gloves, and a fleece, puffy, or other insulating jacket. Don’t forget the rain gear either, even if the chances of showers are slim.

Watch the Weather Forecast

Speaking of showers, having a good idea of the weather forecast is mandatory for any desert adventure, particularly those involving canyons or washes. Even a microburst storm born out of a 20% precipitation chance can create dangerous and destructive flash floods, and you definitely don’t want to be caught in one. If there’s any chance of rain, save the slot canyons for another day. Having a good handle on the weather forecast also helps you pack the right clothing layers and other important gear like camping quilts or sleeping bags. Make sure you’ve got enough insulating power to stay nice and cozy when the temperatures drop overnight.

Minimize Your Impact

Desert landscapes can seem harsh and rugged, but they’re unique ecosystems that can be surprisingly sensitive. Those unassuming, black-looking patches of desert soil may seem like any other dirt patch, but they’re actually full of living organisms that play a major role in erosion control and nutrient distribution. Do your best to stick to existing trails and avoid “busting the crust” with footprints or tires. When choosing a campsite, look for a spot that’s already well-established rather than carving out a new site. Keep an eye out for fire rings or flat areas where somebody else has already set up a tent or other shelter. Remember, the #1 rule of camping (and any outdoor activity, really) is to leave every spot better than you found it. Whether you’re taking your first trip to the desert this fall or your 500th, planning ahead and preparing yourself and your travel party will make for good times, great stories, and unforgettable memories. Just don’t forget the sunscreen! TJ Parsons is a semi-reformed snowboard bum who now has a semi-adult career as a professional writer and creative. He's a self-proclaimed perpetual intermediate who thinks the outdoors are for everyone, and who wants to help dismantle gatekeeping and elitism in outdoor sports. When he's not squeezing brain juice into a keyboard, you'll find him riding boards or bikes throughout the Intermountain West. Follow us on Instagram + Facebook: Tag us @geartrade with the hashtag #unnewoutdoor #wearitout on your post or story for a chance to be featured on our page.

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